Brake pad warning light

[mangroa]

Hi all,

The brake pad warning light has started to come on sometimes while driving.

I'm aware that the sensor connector sometimes causes false alarms so I'll check that at the weekend.

If my pads are actually worn, then shouldnt the light come on every time I start the car and drive, rather than after several miles or sometimes not at all?

I'll check the state of the pads over the weekend.
Thanks
Alan

[windyj]

Check the brake fluid level it could be low causing the light to come on.

[Flatcoat]

I have a similar problem. Some times the Pad warning light comes on and others it doesn't. Took to the Aberdeen Audi and they suggested that I change the Brake Pads PLUS replace the 2x Wirling Looms from the Pad sensor to the main wiring loom.......Total estimate £796.57....!!!

Is it common to have a fault with the wiring loom Part Number 8E0927803B....???

[gblades]

The only faults you normally get with wiring looms is when they regularly flex such as the wires going to the doors.
The brake sensor wiring is normally fixed in position and the only part that flexes a little is the sensor cable.

I would replace all the sensors (and pads at the same time if they are mostly worn) and clean out the connectors and make sure the electrical contacts are clean.

[broudie]

I have an intermittent fault with my amber brake pad warning light - the one that looks like this (O), it seems to come on for no reason. It's a 2006 A4 B7 S Line Avant, I've owned it for 2.5 years - and had never seen the error before. It came on during a short drive about 3 weeks ago, so I looked up the error in the book, it said it was brake pad wear. As the rear pads had been changed about 6 months previously on a service, I knew it couldnt be the rears (I dont know if these have a sensor in anyway). I took the car in to my local garage (whom I've been using for years, and trust!) - they changed the front pads (which were worn), road tested it, and I got it back. That day I did about a 90 mile drive, right at the end of which - the (O) warning light came back on, and then over the next few days it was on and off intermittently with no apparent pattern. I took it back down to them, and they cleared all fault codes, just in case it was related... no joy though, still intermittently coming on. I took it back down again yesterday, after it had not been on for a few days - they checked everything over and tested the sensor wires in the pads - there appeared to be a solid connection. It was OK yesterday evening but came on again this morning. I'm not sure if it's related to the wet weather - is that a possibility?

They are saying they now think it's likely to be a fault with the wiring loom which the sensors connect to. Before I splash out £100+ for them to fit a new one, is there anything else that can be checked, or another possible cause of the light to come on. It seems strange to me that I'd never had the error previously, and post the pads being changed - it wont now go away permanently?

Any help much appreciated...

[GarJE]

Open the connectors and squirt wd40 in them. Connect/disconnect a few times. Should be sorted.

[broudie]

Thanks, i'll try it - are they on both sides, or only one (and if so - which?)

[Ben]

I had this. There are sensors on both front wheel pads. I found that there was plenty of pad left when my sensor came on. What caused the sensor to come on was the lip of the brake disc had worn through the sensor wire so the only option I felt was right was new discs and pads.

I can't emphasize enough, physically remove the pads from the caliper to visually inspect the whole length of the wire, particularly where it joins the pad.

[broudie]

I had both wheels off today, and wd40'd both connectors. Time will tell if it's worked or not... Though I did notice that the driver side connector was a little worn, and may be a little loose- which potentially is causing the break in the circuit. Is anyone aware if you can get a replacement connector?

[broudie]

So - the light stayed off for a couple of days, and has now returned permanently, following a motorway trip by the OH. This leads me to believe the connector has come loose and is keeping the light on (i've not been able to verify yet due to no daylight when I've had time to look at the car... If possible I'm going to secure the connector back on with some Duck Tape, and monitor to see whether the warning light returns. If it does, I may have to replace the wiring - although it looks to me like this part from GSF is the correct one - and is 75% cheaper than other ones I've seen...

WHEEL SPEED / ABS SENSOR, FRONT