Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Base Brake System
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 4MotionSECTION Base Brake System
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2014 Volkswagen Routan, 2013 Volkswagen Routan, 2012 Volkswagen Routan, 2011 Volkswagen Routan, and 2010 Volkswagen Routan. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Red Brake Warning Indicator Lamp
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP ON | 1. Parking brake lever not fully released. | 1. Release parking brake lever. |
| 2. Parking brake warning lamp switch on parking brake lever. | 2. Inspect and replace switch as necessary. | |
| 3. Brake fluid level LOW in reservoir. | 3. Fill reservoir. test entire system for leaks. Repair or replace as required. | |
| 4. Brake fluid level switch. | 4. Disconnect switch wiring connector. If lamp goes out, replace switch. | |
| 5. Mechanical instrument cluster problem. | 5. Refer to appropriate Diagnostic information. | |
| 6. Amber ABS Warning Indicator Lamp also illuminated. | 6. Refer to appropriate Diagnostic information. |
Brake Noise
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| CLICK OR SQUAWK ON PEDAL APPLICATION | 1. Brake lamp switch. | 1. Replace switch. |
| 2. Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Linkage. | 2. Lubricate BTSI linkage. | |
| 3. Pedal pivot bushings. | 3. Lubricate pivot bushings. Replace if necessary. | |
| DISC BRAKE CHIRP | 1. Excessive brake rotor runout. | 1. Follow brake rotor diagnosis and testing. Correct as necessary. |
| 2. Lack of lubricant on brake caliper slides. | 2. Lubricate brake caliper slides. | |
| 3. Caliper/shoes not fully seated. | 3. Reseat caliper/shoes. | |
| DISC BRAKE RATTLE OR CLUNK | 1. Broken or missing anti-rattle spring clips. | 1. Replace anti-rattle spring clips. |
| 2. Caliper guide pins/bolts loose. | 2. Tighten guide pins/bolts. | |
| DISC BRAKE SQUEAK AT LOW SPEED (WHILE APPLYING LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT) | 1. Brake shoe linings. | 1. Replace brake shoes. |
| SCRAPING (METAL-TO-METAL). | 1. Foreign object interference with brakes. | 1. Inspect brakes and remove foreign object. |
| 2. Brake shoes worn out. | 2. Replace brake shoes. Inspect rotors. Resurface or replace as necessary. |
Other Brake Conditions
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| BRAKES CHATTER | 1. Disc brake rotor has excessive thickness variation. | 1. Isolate condition as rear or front. Resurface or replace brake rotors as necessary. |
| BRAKES DRAG (FRONT OR ALL) | 1. Contaminated brake fluid. | 1. Test for swollen seals. Replace all system components containing rubber. |
| 2. Binding caliper pins or bushings. | 2. Replace pins and bushings. | |
| 3. Binding master cylinder. | 3. Replace master cylinder. | |
| 4. Binding brake pedal. | 4. Replace brake pedal. | |
| 5. Brake lamp switch not adjusted properly and mounting bracket is bent. | 5. Straighten mounting bracket and replace brake lamp switch. | |
| BRAKES DRAG (REAR ONLY) | 1. Parking brake cables binding or froze up. | 1. Test cable routing. Replace cables as necessary. |
| 2. Parking brake cable return spring not returning shoes. | 2. Replace cables as necessary. | |
| 3. Rear disc brake parking brake not properly adjusted. | 3. Adjust parking brake shoes. | |
| BRAKES GRAB | 1. Contaminated brake shoe linings. | 1. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination. |
| 2. Improper power brake booster assist. | 2. Refer to power brake booster diagnosis and testing. | |
| EXCESSIVE PEDAL EFFORT | 1. Obstruction of brake pedal. | 1. Inspect, remove or move obstruction. |
| 2. Low power brake booster assist (vacuum leak). | 2. Refer to power brake booster diagnosis and testing. | |
| 3. Glazed brake linings. | 3. Resurface or replace brake rotors as necessary. Replace brake shoes. | |
| 4. Brake shoe lining transfer to brake rotor. | 4. Resurface or replace brake rotors as necessary. Replace brake shoes. | |
| EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL (VEHICLE STOPS OK) | 1. Air in brake lines. | 1. Bleed brakes. |
| EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL (ONE FRONT WHEEL LOCKS UP DURING HARD BRAKING) | 1. One of the two hydraulic circuits to the front brakes is malfunctioning. | 1. Inspect system for leaks. test master cylinder for internal malfunction. |
| PEDAL PULSATES/SURGES DURING BRAKING | 1. Disc brake rotor has excessive thickness variation. | 1. Isolate condition as rear or front. Resurface or replace brake rotors as necessary. |
| PEDAL IS SPONGY | 1. Air in brake lines. | 1. Bleed brakes. |
| 2. Power brake booster runout (vacuum assist). | 2. test booster vacuum hose and engine tune for adequate vacuum supply. Refer to power brake booster diagnosis and testing. | |
| PREMATURE WHEEL LOCKUP | 1. Contaminated brake shoe linings. | 1. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination. |
| 2. Anti Lock brake system function issue. | 2. Refer to appropriate Anti Lock brake diagnostic information. | |
| STOP/BRAKE LAMPS STAY ON | 1. Brake lamp switch out of adjustment. | 1. Replace brake lamp switch. |
| 2. Brake pedal binding. | 2. Inspect and replace as necessary. | |
| 3. Obstruction in pedal linkage. | 3. Remove obstruction. | |
| 4. Power Brake Booster not allowing pedal to return completely. | 4. Replace power brake booster. | |
| VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT OR LEFT ON BRAKING | 1. Frozen brake caliper piston. | 1. Replace frozen piston or caliper. Bleed brakes. |
| 2. Contaminated brake shoe lining. | 2. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination. | |
| 3. Pinched brake lines. | 3. Replace pinched line. | |
| 4. Leaking piston seal. | 4. Replace piston seal or brake caliper. | |
| 5. Suspension problem. | 5. Refer to the Suspension group. | |
| PARKING BRAKE - EXCESSIVE LEVER TRAVEL | 1. Broke cable. | 1. Replace broken cable. |
| 2. Binding cable. | 2. Replace binding cable. | |
| 3. Damaged lever at rear brake caliper. | 3. Replace rear brake caliper. | |
| 4. Binding/frozen rear brake caliper piston. | 4. Replace rear brake caliper. |
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.