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Brake Pad Warning Light
#1

After new Zimmerman Xdrilled rotors, MetalMaster Pads, and new brake pad sensors all the way around the brake pad warning light came on......augh. Is there a reset or did i damage one or more of the sensors? I did go back one wheel at a time and using a paperclip connected pins of each sensor at the brake. No joy.



Any ideas other than take all wheels off again and test them all?
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#2

as far as i know, there is no reset - haven't heard fo that one yet - i would go back and check - those things have been known to be bad brand new - you may have lost connection on one of them upstream - if they make ground, the light comes on - you may have crimped the wire or have some other form of short allowing the circuit to close
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94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com



"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
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#3

The wear sensors create a continuous loop circuit around the car. If one of the connections is broken then the light comes on. A bad sensor, loose connector or broken wire could cause that. Fix that and the light should go out at next key on. Unfortunately you have to just start at one wheel and methodically troubleshoot.
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#4

Kirt, you can always do what i did and cut off the sensors, and twist the wires together. The light will never bother you again and you can always choose to reinstall them. Any "true" Porsche owner doesn't need them to tell him when the pads are wearing thin.
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#5

Thanks, i was afraid that was the answer. I guess I'll have to lift the car and jump across the pins where the pad sensor plugs in behind the caliper. I probably tossed my old sensors so if i can't figure it out i'll just permanently jump the two wires and remove the sensor warning. I bought extra pads and monitoring them is no big deal.



I need to update the brake replacement checklist to turn car on and see if warning light comes on as last step before replacing the wheels. Live and learn...
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#6

[quote name='rustech' date='Mar 8 2005, 05:05 PM']Kirt, you can always do what i did and cut off the sensors, and twist the wires together.  The light will never bother you again and you can always choose to reinstall them.  Any "true" Porsche owner doesn't need them to tell him when the pads are wearing thin.

[right][post="1504"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



I strongly agree with Rustech's recommendation. The pad sensors are more trouble than they're worth IMO. I've deleted them on both of my 968's, and so have a lot of other people.
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#7

if that works, then it sounds like it the opposite of others - that sounds like when the sensor wears, that it breaks instead of makes connection
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94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com



"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
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#8

If I remember correctly, the warning lamp is triggered under both conditions: if there is contact to ground (i.e. body) or if the loop is broken.
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#9

Would either of the above conditions trigger the BIG RED ! ??
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#10

hello folks - reviving this topic as I have some questions about the sensors. Sounds like from looking at old posts that the sensors and the brake pads are separate parts? I have to replace the fronts on my cab and wasn't sure if there was a special pad with the leads built into them or how it works. I saw the sensor wires at pelican parts, but I guess the clip is the actual sensor? Please confirm.



One other question - I looked up brake pads on Pelican parts and they have the Porterfield R-4S pads, but it doesn't list them for 968's. Is it just the late model 944 that I should order? Car is a Cab and will never be tracked or DE use (I think the posts I saw said the 4S is for street use)



Thanks!
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#11

At one end of each wire there's a plastic thingy that fits into the gap on top of each brakepad. When the brakepad wears beyond a certain point the plastic of the sensor grinds away and the metal makes contact with the brake disc and activates the warning light.



I replace the sensors with every other set of front brake pads, but with every set of rears because they last longer. They shouldn't be too expensive anyway.
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#12

the porterfield part number for the standard model 968 pads is AP-345.



if you are changing pad type, be sure to replace the rotors. a great pad, but the porterfield compound does not like to be installed on rotors that have used other pads. i think it's the kevlar.
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94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com



"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
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#13

Thanks much - the rotors currently on the front are toast (they have about a 1/16th ridge) so I am replacing them anyway.



Thanks again - I will see if I can reuse the existing sensors and if not will replace them (I am only changing the front).



As always thanks for the help!
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#14

i have yet to be able to successfully reuse the sensors. i always manage to break them. now i just buy them, anticipating being clumsy. good luck with that.
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94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com



"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
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