General Brake pads warning light query

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General Brake pads warning light query

swebb

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Jun 26, 2006
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Hi,

My wife has just had new brakes pads fitted (from a non Fiat dealer). This warning light now keeps coming on - is there a way to stop this or is it back to the dealer to reset?

thanks.
 
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its not a dealer reset thing.

its a simple system of contacts are buried in the pad compund and when worn down, they break the circuit to put the dash light on.

now a couple of things could have happened here

*the lead for the pad sensor (comes from the pad to a connector) isnt plugged in or isnt plugged in properly

*the pads are faulty and something is causing it to not make a contact

*the wire from the pad to the car is damaged and as the hub moves up and down with the suspension, the break in the wire is causing a lack of contact and putting the light on

the sensor is only on one wheel, i think its the uk passenger side (continental drivers side)

if a garage fitted them, take it back to them and dont let them fob you off with any further repairs.
 
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If wire is broken (or it is not plugged in) no warning will be given - no signal = all ok as far as stilo is concerned. Either the wire is snapped and is touching the body (hence grounding) or your pads were not changed. It is easy enough so have a look - turn your wheels all the way to the left and look for a wire coming off the passenger break pad (also have a look at the thickness of the pad)
 
im pretty sure the light is activated by a break in the circuit.

My disc cut through my wire completely and the light cam on, and the wire was touching any metal anywhere on inspection.
I remember reading your post and assumed the broken lead simply shorted to the disc (which is almost certainly grounded) :chin:

When I changed my pads, I tried to activate the warning light but failed completely :( (I left it all correctly wired anyway) but I'm sure 12[X] is correct as that's always been standard practice.
 
Yes the brake pad wear sensor takes the sensor line to earth. So an open circuit is normal ie ok. Warning light on means closed circuit and line is going to earth

A point though- you say
This warning light now keeps coming on

without saying which warning light. Bear in mind the handbrake warning light doubles as a low brake fluid level warning. Sometimes garages syphon excess fluid out to fit the new pads but then forget to recheck the level after applying the brakes a few times, resulting in low fluid level
 
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