brake pad sensor

[newk]

my warning light came , so i replaced the pads ,then i noticed the sensor was broken when i pulled it out of the old pad.
is there a way of stopping the warning light from coming on? im not that bothered about replacing sensor (unless someone has 1 laying around )

[JohnDotCom]

When you replace the pads you generally have to do the Sensor too, as it always ends up broken etc.
I am not sure of anyway of disabling it, other than perhaps shorting out the wires? Do not try that before confirmation though.
They are not very expensive and I always prefer to have them working.

[Simon]

The sensor itself can be 'wired' together and shorted out as JDC suggests. In normal use though as the pads where down, the wire eventually wears away with them, and when the wire goes open-circuit the ECU registers a Low Pad warning on your dashboard.

They are simply-enough to replace and funnily enough, there is only one per axle so you only need two if you should be replacing all four pads.

[GreyGhost]

Should not cost more than 15-16 squids for the pair.
The club can in no way take responsibility for anyone recommmending the old sensor cable be shorted. Removing a safety feature is not a sensible thing to do.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Should not cost more than 15-16 squids for the pair.
The club can in no way take responsibility for anyone recommmending the old sensor cable be shorted. Removing a safety feature is not a sensible thing to do.

Sensibleness prevails and as always, we shouldn't compromise saftey.

[JohnDotCom]

I was not recommending doing it, was just answering question and as said I wouldn't, I like to know whats going on with brakes more so in an Automatic.

[tigerchubs]

After many year as a mechanic I would never rely on brake wear sensors, particularly any system with one sensor per axle. I have known drivers continue driving with noises on the brakes because the warning lights didnt work, because of a fault or uneaven brake performance. There is no substitute for regular visual inspections

[JohnDotCom]

Quite agree, the services and Visual checks should not be stopped because of the sensors, and any noises should be checked straight away.

[kaiser]

A brake pad sensor can not be described as a safety item. It is at best an idiot light, and can not be relied upon to do any sensible work. At worst, it acts like a false sense of security you hear funny noises from the brake, yet the sensor is not lighting up.
I have never yet come across a set of pads that wear evenly, and there is thus in any case a fifty fifty chance of the pads with the pad sensor being worn the least. That means if you rely on the light only, your brake disc on the other side may well be gouging metal to metal.
There are only two sensible checks that you can rely on. One is regular normal visual check, and the other is sound. You can easily hear when the pads are worn away.

[crofts]

Just to clarify for the less mechanically aware the two fronts and two rear wheels are each known as one axle. On our cars the sensors are only on the drivers (off side/O/S) side front and back pads.
Of many cars that I have replaced pads (& Calipers) on over the years (BMW, Vectra, Renault, Jaguar, Mercedes to name some) I have never found severe, unevenly worn pads on one wheel. I am not saying it cannot happen, only that I have never experienced it. That has, of course, got to exclude pads that have broken up or delaminated though i have never had this either.
I do agree though that visual inspection is best.