Ooh, a warning light cometh!

[M21MFS]

Was out for a bit of a spin earlier on, giving the car a bit of a run along rural roads (south deeside road, past the location for Simons Puntoshoot earlier in the year)

The road involves a fair bit of breaking and could eventually feel the brakes fade a bit. Now I have a warning light on, but after letting things settle & cool down the brakes feel fine. Yet the warning lights tell me the pads need replaced. They were done for the MOT (receipt in car)

Is this a common fault or are the pads likely to be shot allready? I don't hammer the car and am usually gentle enough on the brakes.

 

[simon_16vpunto1]

check the brake fluid level is ok

 

[M21MFS]

Seems fine and dandy, warning lights still there though!

 

[imported_puntomatt]

I've got this problem with the alfa, no idea what the fook it is, it's on more often than off

If the pads and fluids are fine the sensor could be fecked, you'll find some garages will just cut them off and that'll solve the problem - personally, I wouldn't do it though

 

[M21MFS]

I can't cast-iron be sure the pads are fine, but they seem to stop again and what not. I'll monitor the situation, but thinking a brake upgrade will be on the cards anyway!

 

[ABZSTILO]

south deeside road.................. The road involves a fair bit of breaking

Brakes? South Deeside road? Martyn my man, you don't need brakes - just big balls :shock: I drive it every day
OK - a wee bit of braking is maybe required :lol:

But seriously folks....... if the pads have a wear sensor on them then I'd cut the wire off, pain in the arse they are. Can't comment on the Bravo but on previous Lancias and Renaults I've cut off the pad sensor wire with no hassles afterwards. Might not be that tho.... so go over all the basics, don't forget to take any appropriate fuses out then bung 'em back in again (I find this works on most Italian cars - bit like microsoft stuff...... anyway, I digress) If you do cut any leads/wires make damn sure you seal up the end

 

[imported_Ransoman]

If your idle is still rough then i would recomend disconnecting the battery for about an hour to reset the ECU. It should clear the light aswell.

Do you have your red key? Sometimes the immobilisors tend to throw a wobbly when the power is cut but only 5% of the time.

 

[M21MFS]

Wouldn't buy a fiat without one!

Was thinking about an ECU reset when Im finished work on Saturday. Will also have a new wiper arm to fit too, but the manual suggetss I might get shitty fuel consumption for a wee while?

 

[imported_puntomatt]

About 100 iirc...but it will be worth it

 

[scottyJTD]

yep its an over active sensor a lot of them do this,i have even heard it said by a FIAT mechanic,although he did say dont qaute me on this.As it would be depriving there garage of easy ernings.

Cut the shizen of a wire of!! there a pointles pain in the arse if you need a light to tell you wether there is something wrong with your barkes or not you proberbly shouldent be on the road

As for an upgrade go for a set of vented discs and a set of mintex extreme pads,realy makes a diffrence.
i was told that it was pointles buying driiled&grooved discs as they will only make a notble diffrence in fast road conditions ie racing. But i say diffrent,there is a 12mile stretch of country road i learned to drive on its a cracker of thrash road its got everything,any way the last 3 or so miles are down hill ,and in all my previuse cars the brakes are gone in this stretch some last a wee bit longer than others,others i have to just free wheel to help cool them cause there is zero brakes. But with the mentioned uppgrade i still have the same brakes on the last corner i started of with,can smell them but it still stops the same. And after my first test of them i was grinning constantly for about an hour until my face was sore


Cheers scotty

 

[imported_puntomatt]

Lol, I'm considering going for a proper big brake conversion...get some 4 pots in there since I've got quite alot of car to stop...all dreams at the moment though

 

[M21MFS]

Cheers mate, will bear that in mind!

Very carefully I tried testing my brakes today. Figured stopping wet was as good a sign as any if the brakes are gone - I seem to have 0% loss in braking performance, so I'd concur its a shafted sensor. It seemed to blink, sometimes fade out then reappear anyway!

Agree with the sensor sentiment - usually you can feel/hear the brakes going if you haven't already noticed a longer braking distance/time, but still handy for some I guess!

 

[imported_Ransoman]

My brakes are in good condition which is a shame because my rear disks are corroded from standing. No point in upgrading any time soon so i think i will do some harsh braking from near max velocity! That should clean them up nicely.

 

[scottyJTD]

Ye i think you need that with the extra wieght in yours Matt,but i tell you being able to stop effectivly as the result of an upgrade is as good a buzz as going faster after one.

My old man was an HGV driver for 30 od years i remember he got a brand new scanny when i was younger,i asked him how fast does it go?? he said i dont know i have been checking how fast i can stop first!! then al find out how fast it goes

 

[imported_puntomatt]

Lesson for you kids out there kindly provided by Scotty's Dad

Brakes are VERY important...good ones can make you go faster