Brake light warning - paper clip shorting trick did not work

meggiedude · 23rd August 2014, 17:59

Hiya,

So last year I had all disks and pads replaced. at the time the rear sensor had worn and I did not have a spare avail, so used the paper clip trick in the rear sensor plug to short the circuit. This worked fine.

Just had car serviced and passed MOT

. Great, but now getting warning light again.

Brakes fine as MOT passed. Removed old paper clip (as it was a tad corroded and replaced - several times. Cleaned plug contacts with contact cleaner. No joy.

I am reluctant to cut above the main connector in the wheel arch - as this is part of the cars main harness isn't it.

Any suggestions?

Heddy · 23rd August 2014, 19:03

Erm, are you saying the paper clip has failed?

SD1too · 23rd August 2014, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by meggiedude

Any suggestions?

Yes Simon. For goodness sake get down to your local motor factor and buy a new sensor. They're only a few pounds.

Simon

meggiedude · 23rd August 2014, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Yes Simon. For goodness sake get down to your local motor factor and buy a new sensor. They're only a few pounds.

Simon

Erm, Your missing my point mate. Even if the paperclip has 'failed' as Heddycdt amusingly puts it, it was replaced, and this did not stop the brake fail light on the dash.
The paperclip was only there to complete the circuit, in the same way as a sensor does. The sensor wire registered worn pads when it is is also worn away and the circuit is broken. If a simple paperclip won't work, then neither will a new sensor wire.

SD1too · 23rd August 2014, 19:42

I understand your point Simon, but let's look at what you're doing to avoid buying a new sensor:

Quote:

Originally Posted by meggiedude

Removed old paper clip (as it was a tad corroded and replaced - several times. Cleaned plug contacts with contact cleaner.

If you'll excuse my terminology, your "bodge" has failed several times by your own admission. How can you be sure that your latest paper clip is making good contact? You should buy the correct part and if you still have an open circuit, look for the cause.

Simon

COLVERT · 23rd August 2014, 20:25

You don't have to cut the loom. there's a plug on the end of the sensor wire.

planenut · 23rd August 2014, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

If you'll excuse my terminology, your "bodge" has failed several times by your own admission. How can you be sure that your latest paper clip is making good contact?
Simon

Don't tell me they're flogging those cheap Chinese imported paper clips on eBay?

Heddy · 23rd August 2014, 20:29

Got to agree with SD, the paper clip isn't going to tell you your pads are worn out. Having said that, are you sure the other sensor hasn't failed? You may already know there is one on front o/s and rear o/s

COLVERT · 23rd August 2014, 20:41

When my pads wore and the end was taken off the sensor I put a blob of solder across the exposed two ends. Works perfectly, doesn't rust and will wear away and work just as the original sensor did.

Doc Evil · 24th August 2014, 06:57

Check the other sensor and connector
If ok maybe stuffing paper clips into harness plug has damaged the plug itself in which case go to scrappy and cut off a plug + 6 inch of wiring and solder this into the harness to replace old one make sure you use some waterproof heatshrink on joint and fit proper sensor
If a paperclip was the best thing to use Rover would of used them!
Doc

23rd August 2014, 17:59	#1
meggiedude Newbie MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rugby Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Brake light warning - paper clip shorting trick did not work Hiya, So last year I had all disks and pads replaced. at the time the rear sensor had worn and I did not have a spare avail, so used the paper clip trick in the rear sensor plug to short the circuit. This worked fine. Just had car serviced and passed MOT . Great, but now getting warning light again. Brakes fine as MOT passed. Removed old paper clip (as it was a tad corroded and replaced - several times. Cleaned plug contacts with contact cleaner. No joy. I am reluctant to cut above the main connector in the wheel arch - as this is part of the cars main harness isn't it. Any suggestions? Last edited by meggiedude; 23rd August 2014 at 18:25..

24th August 2014, 06:57	#10
Doc Evil Gets stuck in Rover 75 1.8 Classic Saloon Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Newton Abbot Posts: 823 Thanks: 46 Thanked 175 Times in 144 Posts	Check the other sensor and connector If ok maybe stuffing paper clips into harness plug has damaged the plug itself in which case go to scrappy and cut off a plug + 6 inch of wiring and solder this into the harness to replace old one make sure you use some waterproof heatshrink on joint and fit proper sensor If a paperclip was the best thing to use Rover would of used them! Doc __________________ NOT EVIL REALLY BUT REALLY A DOC

23rd August 2014, 19:03	#2
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Erm, are you saying the paper clip has failed?

23rd August 2014, 20:25	#6
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	You don't have to cut the loom. there's a plug on the end of the sensor wire.

23rd August 2014, 20:29	#8
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Got to agree with SD, the paper clip isn't going to tell you your pads are worn out. Having said that, are you sure the other sensor hasn't failed? You may already know there is one on front o/s and rear o/s

23rd August 2014, 20:41	#9
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	When my pads wore and the end was taken off the sensor I put a blob of solder across the exposed two ends. Works perfectly, doesn't rust and will wear away and work just as the original sensor did.