2000 Volkswagen Cabriolet ABS and Brakes light on

Only three things will turn the red light on. The most common cause is the parking brake isn't fully released. A sticking cable will prevent full release. A real simple clue is to have the engine not running, then watch the light very closely when you start to apply the parking brake. If you see a very tiny change in brightness of the bulb, the parking brake is not the cause. If the brightness doesn't change, the switch for the parking brake is already turned on. You have to watch the light REAL close. The change in brightness is very hard to see.

The next thing is to look at the brake fluid reservoir. If the fluid is full, unplug the low fluid sensor connector. If the red light goes out, the float has sunk or the magnetic switch has stuck on.

The third switch is the pressure differential switch between the two hydraulic circuits. It could have tripped when you stroked the pedal to push the pistons out to contact the new pads and rotors. Some cars do not use that switch when they have ABS. If yours has it, you can unplug it to see if the light goes off. That switch on Chryslers and GMs is spring-loaded. A simple jab on the brake pedal will unstick them. Ford's are not spring-loaded and can be a real headache to center once they've been tripped. I'm sorry I can't tell you which type you have or if you even have one.

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