[Keith 2000 Beetle GLS 2.0]

Mine is a 2000 2.0 L GLS Automatic, with 129,600 miles on it. My car is otherwise maintained well and drives well. I am retired so I don’t drive more than about 2000 miles a year.

The ABS light on the dash remains ON mostly. Sometimes it goes Off, but then it comes back ON in a hurry.

I have checked the brakes on a side road with lot of compacted snow / ice on the road, by applying brakes abruptly. The brakes don’t lock, but turn on and off rapidly as it should. So no issues with the ABS itself, Just that the light remains ON.

i just would like to remove / disable that bulb, so it is not a distraction while driving. Any suggestions appreciated. I have read that these cars, assembled in Mexico, are good mechanically, but do have some electrical issues.
Thank you
Keith
Denver

 

[Smileybug]

You'd have to open the cluster to remove the bulb. But I would scan for codes and see what the issue is so you can fix it properly. Things may work ok now, but you don't know in the future if the system could malfunction.

 

[Keith 2000 Beetle GLS 2.0]

I removed the cluster, which is not too hard.
Didn’t find any way to access the miniature
light bulbs.
Looked like a sealed unit with a transparent
Polycarbonate sheet in front ans a circuit board
at the rear. The bulbs weren’t visible nor
accessible.

 

[Thejarhead]

Your best bet is not to disable or cover up the light but to read or get your ecu read by vcds to find what the code is so you can correct the problem.

I fixed a beetle not long ago with an abs light on it was the #9 fuse if I remember correctly.

Here is the recommended computer program to accurately diagnose all problems related to your car. The $199 version works perfectly.

VCDS with HEX-V2 Enthusiast | Ross-Tech

An American company with real support right here in my home state of PA.

 

[billymade]

Why not diagnose the problem and fix it correctly? I have had the ASR system save me, from serious accidents; the ABS, is part of this system, to make it work. It could be something simple and when fixed, could save you from a accident or your life (abs brakes are not something to ignore).

Please, get the codes read, post them here; we can discuss, the next step, possible testing and needed repairs.


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[Keith 2000 Beetle GLS 2.0]

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I didn’t word the question correctly.
My question should have read , how does one
replace the miniature lights in the instrument cluster

Sorry about that.



This video has some information, but the instrument lights
appear to be LED in the 2008 model. Possibly they may be
the older style mini bulbs in the 2000 model.

After removing the instrument cluster I couldn’t figure out
how to access the bulbs, which this video has clarified.

My seat belt unlocked indicator bulb doesn’t light up, so that bulb
needs replacing too.

 

[billymade]

Pretty sure there are not any bulbs; that are replaceable without de/re- soldering, on the circuit board.

Here is a testing and repair video: its for a Mk 4 Golf but the principles are the same:

If you want to test all the bulb locations; you can run the speedo cluster test mode with vcds (it will light up all the icons, the sounds will activate and sweep the gauges).


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[Thejarhead]

If you want to test all the bulb locations; you can run the speedo cluster test mode with vcds (it will light up all the icons, the sounds will activate and sweep the gauges).

Which can be done with the cluster still in the car.

If your abs light or any light is on that means the car is trying to tell you something is wrong.

With vcds go to the brake module and read the codes. Post those codes here, somebody has had those codes before and may be able to offer some help/advice.

 

[Thejarhead]

My wife’s beetle just had an airbag light pop on. With vcds it tells me which bag/connection is causing the light. I plan on sorting that issue this weekend.

I’ve had her 01 cluster apart, there are no replaceable bulbs as such. Everything is soldered to the cluster board.

 

[Keith 2000 Beetle GLS 2.0]

Pretty sure there are not any bulbs; that are replaceable without de/re- soldering, on the circuit board.

Here is a testing and repair video: its for a Mk 4 Golf but the principles are the same:

If you want to test all the bulb locations; you can run the speedo cluster test mode with vcds (it will light up all the icons, the sounds will activate and sweep the gauges).


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Thanks for the video. Helpful.

 

[ralphemansfield]

Pretty sure there are not any bulbs; that are replaceable without de/re- soldering, on the circuit board.

Here is a testing and repair video: its for a Mk 4 Golf but the principles are the same:

If you want to test all the bulb locations; you can run the speedo cluster test mode with vcds (it will light up all the icons, the sounds will activate and sweep the gauges).


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Billymade, you’re right. I have a 1999 NB which didn’t light up some warning lights. I disassembled the instrument cluster and discovered that the LEDs were covered in black RTV (silicone rubber) preventing warning lights from being displayed.

 

[billymade]

Yeah, we have seen this issue before; black tape or rtv, is a way people hide problems, unrepaired faults and sell used cars, to unsuspecting buyers.

What lights were covered, faults found and were you able to fix the problems?


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[Giddo Beetle]

I will try not to re-type what others have said ... Sooo the one item that I would suggest you do and it is easy but time consuming .....

1. Check the brake fluid level - am sure you have performed the task but felt compelled to mention it.

2. if you brake fluid isn't clear or at least close, I would bleed the brakes ... am sure you know how to drain the fluid and replace with DOT 3 (VW and other European cars suggest Dot 4, but Dot 3 does not absorb moisture as easily as the 4). While you bleed - -wheel by wheel - - use your hand to press the brake pad, if one of the wheels feel as though its harder than another check that wheel - - is the caliper in good shape, how about the pads. My last suggestion, the float in the brake fluiid could be the issue. With the ignition in the run position have someone sit in the car while you lift the float in the brake fluid tank - that might be the issue.

3. your abs hose and sensor can be either broken or worn out with bad connections ... especially the front ones . ..

Someone had a great suggestion, FIX the issue... junk yards are loaded with VW Beetles with all of the engines achieving well over 200K . In other words it worth the money and time, not to mention safety and re-sell value..

bottom line it sounds like you have a well kept car ... worth the fix