Brake pad wear sensors

[Ean Austral]

Gday All,


Has anyone by-passed these sensors to remove the orange light on the dash ? I think I can happily check to see when my brake pads need to be changed. I have to fit both front and rear as they are both damaged.


If not where do I get them , had a quick look on-line and seems that you can buy a bendix generic pad sensor for the D3. Prices are similar but I never did look around much.


Cheers Ean

[Dagilmo]

I have bypassed mine. No problems. I think the light comes on way too early. My pads had plenty of meat left when the light came on. I did another 7k kms or so and when I changed them there was still plenty left so I decided to bypass.

I got the sensors with all the other brake parts from buycarparts.com.uk. There were a few different brands to choose from.

[Ean Austral]

I have bypassed mine. No problems. I think the light comes on way too early. My pads had plenty of meat left when the light came on. I did another 7k kms or so and when I changed them there was still plenty left so I decided to bypass.

I got the sensors with all the other brake parts from buycarparts.com.uk. There were a few different brands to choose from.

So how did you do it ? Is it as simple as just disconnecting the sensor ? Or did you have to access the EMS.

Cheers Ean

[the_preacher1973]

So how did you do it ? Is it as simple as just disconnecting the sensor ? Or did you have to access the EMS.

Cheers Ean

I believe they work by cutting the wire when the pad gets too low so disconnecting the sensor will just make the light come on. You need to wire a permanent loop in the sensor so it never loses current.

[Geedublya]

I believe they work by cutting the wire when the pad gets too low so disconnecting the sensor will just make the light come on. You need to wire a permanent loop in the sensor so it never loses current.


Exactly, just cut the sensor off near the connector and short the wires in your preferred manner.

[Mungus]

The two sensors (FL & RR) are connected in series from Instrument Cluster to ground and open circuit at approx. 75% wear.

[Ean Austral]

The two sensors (FL & RR) are connected in series from Instrument Cluster to ground and open circuit at approx. 75% wear.

Ok thanks, whats the best way to short them.

Cheers Ean

[Dagilmo]

I can't remember exactly but I generally solder all electrical connections and heat shrink. So I im pretty sure that's what I would have done.

[Mungus]

If it were me, for a more permanent fix I would locate each of the two serviceable connectors and remove the sensor lead side, then dissemble the plug, rewiring with a single wire link, or cut the wires a few inches from the sensor lead plug and solder together inline, taping with self amalgamating tape and sleeving with heat shrink. Either way you could still refit new sensor leads to the untouched sockets at a later date.
Or you could be rough and twist and BP connect, or twist and solder and pvc tape. Up to you really.

[Fatso]

Ok thanks, whats the best way to short them.

Cheers Ean



Just cut the 2 wires off near the senser at the wheel end and join them together and tuck away , permanent complete circuit .

[hiker]

Hi there - recently replaced pads and cannot find where the new sensor cable fits inside the engine bay (?) - am a bit nervous of pulling too hard on the old cable in case I can't locate the connector.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[101RRS]

It is not in the engine bay - between the top of the mudguard and the inner plastic splash shield in the wheel well - is a pain to pull down and you will wreck the clips. Then you have the issue of undoing the connector there the sensor joins the loom at the top of the wheel well. Dont pull on any of the cables - unclip the connector and slowly remove the old cable - good idea to clip the new one in as you unclip the old one, clip the new one in - ensures you use the right clips etc.

I did all this just over a month ago and it took longer to replace the brake pad sensor cable that is it did to replace the disks and pads. The sensor itself just clips into the back of the pads - too easy.

[Tombie]

They are something like $20 for a lead... I kept mine when I replaced them.

Mine came on at 117,000km of wear and I got 4,000km after that before replacing. there was lass than 0.5mm of friction material left on the backing plates.

Happy to throw another $20 on the vehicle even if it acts as a suitable reminder, as I dont do rotations so never flick the wheels off to see the pads!

[PerthDisco]

Pedders sold me the Akebono pads with new sensors without asking. Just as well as the old ones are very brittle and break easily.