[Thad E Ginathom]

Yesterday, I noticed that the indicator indicator (err, the arrow lamp on the dashboard) was flashing at double speed. When I got home, I realised that this meant, "You have a problem."


(That's the right, front indicator lamp, removed from its housing)

Rat damage. Also here:


The severed wire I have twisted and taped. The damaged wires I have just taped.

What is the recommendation? The way this stuff appears to be made, it would be necessary to replace an entire wiring loom section, which I'm sure is costly. Any experience or recommendations?

[Chethan B G]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Yesterday, I noticed that the indicator indicator (err, the arrow lamp on the dashboard) was flashing at double speed. When I got home, I realised that this meant, "You have a problem."
Attachment 1016618

(That's the right, front indicator lamp, removed from its housing)

Rat damage. Also here:
Attachment 1016619

The severed wire I have twisted and taped. The damaged wires I have just taped.

What is the recommendation? The way this stuff appears to be made, it would be necessary to replace an entire wiring loom section, which I'm sure is costly. Any experience or recommendations?

RATS! Sorry to know this.

Best is to change the wiring loom since the damage is very close to the molded connectors. Maybe only the section damaged can be changed?

Insurance should cover this?

[Thad E Ginathom]

If it is just a few thousand, I wouldn't bother with the insurance. But this wiring loom doesn't look cheap.

Rats! indeed

[volkman10]

Have a 1.6 having completed ~8k Kms.

With the recent rains here decided to give it a wash. This is the first time have thoroughly washed the rear wheels little knowing what is to come later!
Drove the car ~ 500 m to the parking slot. This was done yesterday.

Started the car today and after releasing the park brake (no brake indicator) the rear wheels seem locked. Tried a couple of times both in forward and reverse directions but with the vehicle literally refusing to move!

Would call the service centre tomorrow, any clues on how to go about or reasons from owners who experienced this?

Cheers!

[Chethan B G]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Have a 1.6 having completed ~8k Kms.

With the recent rains here decided to give it a wash. This is the first time have thoroughly washed the rear wheels little knowing what is to come later!
Drove the car ~ 500 m to the parking slot. This was done yesterday.

Started the car today and after releasing the park brake (no brake indicator) the rear wheels seem locked. Tried a couple of times both in forward and reverse directions but with the vehicle literally refusing to move!

Would call the service centre tomorrow, any clues on how to go about or reasons from owners who experienced this?

Cheers!

Hand brake is jammed.

Release hand brake - Idle the car for 15 secs - Engage first gear - Move the car, if required with accelerator. Car will move making a big sound. Don't worry - This is common in Polo.

During service, get the brake shoe cleaned.

[Thad E Ginathom]

It used to happen to my Swift every time the wheels got wet and then dried out with the car stationary. Just takes a bit of engine power to break the jam.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

Hand brake is jammed.
Release hand brake - Idle the car for 15 secs - Engage first gear - Move the car, if required with accelerator. Car will move making a big sound.
During service, get the brake shoe cleaned.

True, hand brake seemed jammed. No success in releasing as detailed by you.

Called the Road Assist. No response after the call. Reminded after a day, again no response after that. Called the service station (have a contact there).
Assistance was sent in a couple of hours.
Brake drum removed, cleaned with sand paper, sprayed and replaced.
Car is back in action. Now am going to use the hand brakes very selectively.

Polo owners note:
1. Do not spray wash the rear wheels.
2. While washing release the hand brakes.
3. After wash take the go for a drive( if possible)

Still fail to understand in less than 12 hours how could rust form and get the hand brake in jammed condition?

Cheers!

[Thad E Ginathom]

Called the Road Assist. No response after the call. Reminded after a day, again no response after that.

That is seriously bad. What if you were broken down mid-journey? This is supposed to be an emergency service, not a joke.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by volkman10

...Still fail to understand in less than 12 hours how could rust form and get the hand brake in jammed condition?....

Have experienced this in Santro...the right rear wheel was totally jammed after it remained stationary for few days during recent rains. I removed the wheel, sprayed some WD-40 into the brake-drum area, tried to rotate manually, could not do it, then put the wheel back, tried to start the car, and it started moving. Then drove it with the brakes half-pressed to ensure that the WD-40 was 'removed' from brake-drums.

[Thad E Ginathom]

I firmly believe that no lubricant should ever be used on or near brakes. WD40 is pretty good at being water-repellant, so one can't even guarantee washing it off. I guess applying the brakes might burn it off --- but I just would not risk it.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I firmly believe that no lubricant should ever be used on or near brakes. ...

Agree in toto !

In my case, I ensured that I had burned it off.

BUT the usage of WD-40 on the brake-drums is definitely NOT a recommended practice.

[Thad E Ginathom]

As mentioned, I've experienced this with another car, but never so badly that the engine would not move it and break the grip. I wonder if more water would help?

One way of breaking a grip is a good thumping. Maybe necessary to remove the wheel. Use something wooden, not steel.

[shashank.nk]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Still fail to understand in less than 12 hours how could rust form and get the hand brake in jammed condition?

My car had the same problem in May this year. When I asked them how it could rust, they told me the brake dust in the drum along with the water(which entered when the wheel was excessively sprayed) forms a "paste" which then thickens and results in a wheel lock. I'm not too sure how much of it is true.

In my case, the 'ABS' light lit up on the instrument cluster. After this, I've never used the handbrake except when absolutely recovered.

This has to be a design defect according to me.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

BUT the usage of WD-40 on the brake-drums is definitely NOT a recommended practice.

VW service guys used a 3M - High Power brake cleaner , a degreaser designed to remove oil, grease, brake fluid and other contaminants from brake assemblies.

Cheers!

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

My car had the same problem in May this year. When I asked them how it could rust, they told me the brake dust in the drum along with the water(which entered when the wheel was excessively sprayed) forms a "paste" which then thickens and results in a wheel lock. I'm not too sure how much of it is true.

In my case, the 'ABS' light lit up on the instrument cluster. After this, I've never used the handbrake except when absolutely recovered.

This has to be a design defect according to me.

I seriously doubt if it's a design defect. As I've faced this situation once with my Fabia recently after Dusshera.

As I had to travel to Hyd to celebrate, got the car washed and left it parked for almost a week. Came back only to notice that the car doesn't move. Got it fixed with help of a local mechanic. He said it is common with cars having Drum breaks. I noticed that a hard patch of brake pad was sticking to the Drum, almost appearing as a weld. Something to do with water, braking heat and Vaccum created upon locking with parking brakes.