brake pad warning with replacement Stillen pads ('94 Q45)

[artandscience]

I replaced my stock pads with Stillens a couple of months ago and bypassed the sensors (cut them out and shorted the wires together). However, this still hasn't put out the brake pad warning light in my computer.

Apparently, there needs to be a certain amount of resistivity in the circuit for the computer to be fooled. Anyone know how I solve this short of buying new sensors, drilling holes in my Stillen pads, and re-mounting them.

I'm pissed that the Infiniti shop didn't tell me the bypass wouldn't work when I bought the pads from them. To make matters worse, the new sensors cost something like $110 ea.

But I really want to get rid of that light.

[elwesso]

I wonder if unplugging the battery would fix it? I have my sensors bypassed on my Q just by shorting them and its good......

[DAEDALUS]

"Brake pad warning light?" It's a message, not a light. If the brake light (LED) is on, check the brake fluid level and your parking brake.

[artandscience]

My mistake. The warning message.

Yes.. I was wondering if resetting the computer somehow would make a difference.

[911/Q45]

Did you jump both the front and rear sensors? Are you sure that the jumps are still connected? It worked great on my car and should on your's too.

[artandscience]

Yes both front and rear sensors. Of course, I cut the wires and tied themtogether which may be the problem. I've just learned the bloody sensorscost a fortune.

Mine is a '94 -- what is your year? Both Infiniti of Scottsdale and my localdealer say that you cannot get the warning message to disappear byjust shorting the sensor leads. One tech said that he thought there mightneed to be a specific resistance value in the circuit for that to work.

I'm thinking next of grounding them and seeing if that makes a difference.

I'm going boffo with that darn message.

[DAEDALUS]

Just measured my old brake sensor ('90). Virtually no resistance (same as leads). Splicing the wires should fix the problem. Folks here have been doing it without any problems--I guess go back and make sure all the wires are hooked up right. Hopefully there's no difference between the '90-'93 and the '94 model. Shouldn't be--Wes' Q is a '94.

[Q45tech]

Oem pads come with sensors.........using something else [MM/stillen/aftermarket is quite frequently false economy with little upside].

Noise, rotor wear, etc.

[Q451990]

Both Infiniti of Scottsdale and my localdealer say that you cannot get the warning message to disappear byjust shorting the sensor leads.

That's (sorry Joe or whoever said that at Scottsdale!)

The sensor basically completes a circuit, so when it's intact the circuit is shorted. When the sensor is unplugged or worn (breaking a wire in the sensor head) the circuit is open. The ECU looks for a short to display no message, or an open circuit to show the message. You have a break somewhere in the circuit.

I always recommend not cutting the sensor wire on the harness connector side (toward the car) but instead cutting the pigtail from sensor to the harness that connects to the car (pad side). That way you can plug in a new sensor if you decided to go back with an OEM pad, as most owners eventually do. I have done this on a couple of occasions while waiting for new pads to arrive from AZ. I can't drive with those damn messages on the screen - especially at night when they won't dim with the rest of the dash!

Heath