Spongy brake pedal

[Beeble1]

Hello all, normally I hang out in the late model/super beetle forum but I’ve been having some brake problems with my 2013 beetle recently.

When you come to a stop, say at a stop sign or traffic light, I can push the brake pedal all the way to the floor. If I pump up the brakes 3-4 times, the pedal does firm up, but it won’t hold any pressure. It slowly sinks back to the floor.

If you pump up the brakes when the car is off, the pedal holds pressure just fine. But as soon as you start the car, the pedal sinks to the floor.

I took it in Monday to my VW dealer and they said the master cylinder had an internal leak. So they replaced the master and bled all the brakes. Picked it up yesterday and I have the same problem, no improvement at all. Took it back to the dealer this morning and after they had it all day, they said that it is ‘normal’ for the pedal to be like this. I am going back tomorrow morning to talk with them again.

I’ve had this car since new and the brake pedal was never like this until recently. Any ideas? I’m thinking it might be a brake booster leak but I’m not sure. Hooked up my code reader and there’s no ABS codes.

I’ve also spent almost $1000 on this and needless to say I’m NOT happy that the problem is still not fixed.

Jonathon
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Beeble1, ‘73 Super (o\_|_/o) 1600cc w/ Dealer A/C
Beeble2, ‘13 Beetle 2.5L Daily Driver

Dealership items from Bishop-Wayne Volkswagen & Turner Volkswagen in Kankakee, IL wanted

[Butcher]

This is a classic way a dealership works. I know, I spent 30 years with 2 dealerships.

If it is normal, then why did they replace the master cylinder? If they did replace a good master cylinder, they were stealing from you.

Some of the symptoms you mention are normal. If the engine is off and and you pump the brakes, you are dumping the vacuum that was stored for power assist. Once the booster is empty, the pedal gets hard. If you then start the engine, the vacuum will build and the pedal will drop. That happens with all vacuum boosted brakes.

If you have owned the car since new, then you know there is a difference and that is the biggest asset you have. I suspect that there are other Beetles in the lot so see if you can check those cars to see if the symptoms are the same/different than yours.

Do not leave until you are able to show a foreman/manager the issue and insist you would like to check other Beetles in their inventory.

[Beeble1]

Went back to the dealer today, and the assured me that the car is fine and that nothing is wrong. They re-bled the brakes again and test drove the car and were ‘unable to duplicate the problem’. So I have the car back. I guess I will just monitor it and see what happens.
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Beeble1, ‘73 Super (o\_|_/o) 1600cc w/ Dealer A/C
Beeble2, ‘13 Beetle 2.5L Daily Driver

Dealership items from Bishop-Wayne Volkswagen & Turner Volkswagen in Kankakee, IL wanted

[skills@eurocarsplus]

could have an internal leak in the ABS unit. if you are not good with brake fluid flushes the ABS unit can bleed back pressure.

fuck that dealer. go get your $$ back....or make them fix it, free of charge
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