91 Q45 "Worn Brake Pads"

[clayyy]

"Worn Brake Pads" warning on computer, but brakes are fine. I don't really need the sensors...so how can I bypass them. My mechanic suggested I cut the rear sensor wires and splice them to complete the circuit...any suggestions on disabling front and or back sensors and getting the warning off my computer would be much appreciated...

[szh]

Are you sure the pads are not really worn? Do you really want to disable the sensors? If so, then splicing the wires to the sensors is the only way (as far as I know) that it can be done.

Z

[autotech43]

The brake pads can't be fine due to the fact the sensor is mounted on the pad where the brake rotor will wear into the sensor and break the contact to complete the circuit when there are close to 1mm(millimeter) of pad left. If its aftermarket pads, some don't have the sensor! If its just turning the warning lamp off, connecting the two wires together will turn off the warning system.

[clayyy]

szhosain...I get your drift and believe me if I had unlimited funds I could afford the 100 bucks an hour the dealership charges, and I'd have the sensors replaced...but the brakes are only 5,000 miles old and I just shelled out a g note for three new injectors. The rear sensor fell apart when I went to twist it out of its socket so I cut and spliced the wires...but the warning light is still on...so it must be the front sensor. Just got cleaned up for the day, so I'll take a look at that tomorrow. Thanks for the reply...

[clayyy]

autotech43...wish I could show you...the pads are like new. The rear sensor is definitely shot and I think the front sensor, which has a slightly different harness and connection must be worn or something. The problem is you have to take the pads out to change the sensors, which I'll do when the pads get worn...I check them out routinely...but for now I just want to get the damn warning light out. I don't want anyone else driving the car to think there is a serious problem...anyways...thanks for taking an interest...

[Jesda]

You have to be deaf and numb to not know when your pads are wearing down. My sensors never came on when my pads were low. I had to sense and hear it. I cut the stupid wire, installed new pads, and called it good. Its a gimmicky feature with few real-world uses.

-Jesda

[autotech43]

Clayy. I understand what you were saying regarding the pads are fine, that is alot of the trouble when folks don't know the history of there vehicle as to when and who performed the last brake job. In your case, pads were installed at one time without replacing the sensors. No comment from the other post I read. Tie the wires together and life goes on.

[QShip]

You have to be deaf and numb to not know when your pads are wearing down. My sensors never came on when my pads were low. I had to sense and hear it. I cut the stupid wire, installed new pads, and called it good. Its a gimmicky feature with few real-world uses.

-Jesda

Same thing happened to me. I cut the wire as well.

[Q451990]

Just make sure you cut on the sensor side of the harness, and not the other one. That way if you get new factory pads later you can plug them in.

Heath

[maxnix]

And make sure your caliper pins are lubricatred and the shim kit is installed correctly, or you may get uneven wear that is undetectable unless you inspect all edges of each pad. There are posts about premature pad failure which led to rotor failure because the calipers could not articulate freely.

[clayyy]

Well go fiqure...I cut and spliced the lead to the rear brake sensor on the sensor side and the "worn brake pads" warning stayed on. Then I did the same for the front sensor and the warning still came on. I tried disconnecting the battery because I thought it was just a matter of clearing the computer...and the warning came back!!! So just by chance I followed the lead from the rear sensor about two feet to the next connector (where no one could see it) and low and behold some nice independent mechanic had already disconnected the rear sensor by unplugging the connector and shorting it with a solid piece of wire stuck in both sides of the connector. Needless to say this had been done years ago before I bought the car and the solid piece of wire had finally rusted through. Wow all that work for nothing and now I have a perfectly good front sensor that I'll have to replace next brake job. I'm ready for a drink!!! See Y'all

[Jeff Williams]

Quote »Wow all that work for nothing and now I have a perfectly good front sensor that I'll have to replace next brake job. I'm ready for a drink!!! See Y'all [/quote]

Just the beginning of a long and frustrating love-affair with your car........