R36: Random hazard light activation.

[Steve]

Good afternoon,

After enjoying some spirited driving yesterday on my return from Hindmarsh Island to Adelaide, I noticed that the hazard lights would activate, seemingly randomly, for one or two flashes (I can't recall exactly). I noticed this at around Echunga, and it continued until I returned home. It didn't appear to be related to anything I was doing at the time. Until yesterday, I had never pressed the hazard light button in the car - my first thought was to stop the car, turn the engine off, press the hazard light button a few times, turn the car on again and drive away but this didn't solve the issue. There were no warning lights active and there were no warning noises. The hazard light flashes did not seem to be at regular intervals.

I know that they should active when braking heavily (full brakes above 60km/h or ABS activation) but these flashes would occur even when giving it the beans whilst merging on the freeway, or sitting still at some lights, or whatever - so I don't think it's related to braking.

Has anybody else encountered this before, and can anybody explain what was happening? I had a quick look through the car handbook but couldn't find anything relevant.

Cheers!

[Pana]

it almost sounds like there is a loose wire somewhere thats causing the hazards to activate??

[Steve]

I hadn't thought of that, but it could well be the case. The dash has been taken apart recently to fix a rattle/squeak.

I work from home and didn't need to drive anywhere today so I can't say if the problem is persisting. I've a five minute commute tomorrow which may or may not indicate anything further.

We'll see!

[V6Passat]

I hadn't thought of that, but it could well be the case. The dash has been taken apart recently to fix a rattle/squeak.

I work from home and didn't need to drive anywhere today so I can't say if the problem is persisting. I've a five minute commute tomorrow which may or may not indicate anything further.

We'll see!

my dealer two weeks ago wanted to take my dask appart for a rattle I couldnt hear. My response.....if you so mush as think about putting a screwdriver near my dashboard i would ...... you can imagine the rest. I am not surprised you have this issue...they will never go back the way they went it. Good luck with a resolution.

[Steve]

My ten minute round trip commute for the day is over, and I'm fairly sure the hazard lights didn't do their thing.

So... it's a mystery.

With regards to taking the dash apart, I'm not sure how much was actually taken apart. I fixed the rattle (an infuriating one at that) with a piece of paper jammed in the glove box latch area, so perhaps they just replaced the glove box...

I'll be in the car for another ten minutes tomorrow and then for an hour and a half on Friday - long weekend houseboat party adventure time! I guess I'll soon find out of the problem persists...

[revivor]

My ten minute round trip commute for the day is over, and I'm fairly sure the hazard lights didn't do their thing.

So... it's a mystery.

With regards to taking the dash apart, I'm not sure how much was actually taken apart. I fixed the rattle (an infuriating one at that) with a piece of paper jammed in the glove box latch area, so perhaps they just replaced the glove box...

I'll be in the car for another ten minutes tomorrow and then for an hour and a half on Friday - long weekend houseboat party adventure time! I guess I'll soon find out of the problem persists...

Strange - i'm having the same rattle at the glove box compartment..squeeks when you drive on uneven surfaces. Still trying to resolve that.

[Steve]

Jam a thickly folded piece of paper between the dash and the glove box, closing the glove box tightly on to the piece of paper. That fixed worked for me, and although the dealer wanted the car for 3 days it was fixed within half a day.

I guess mine only annoyed me over uneven surfaces, but in Adelaide they're all uneven - especially those around home!

[Mr_Bob]

I had a similar issue with my old car.
Turned out to be a loose battery terminal, the poor connection was setting the alarm off
For some reason the siren wouldn't sound, but the lights would flash.

only happened during spirited driving, as this was the only time that the battery moved enough...

[Steve]

That's another possibility too - I recently disconnected the battery to fit giant flappy paddles. I'll look in to it.

Cheers

[Steve]

Well, I'm stumped. I went away for the weekend and had a 250km round trip. No random hazard light activation at all, even on bumpy roads and with some enthusiastic driving.

It's a mystery.