Today the 'check brake pads' warning came on and has not gone off

A visual inspection of the pads seems to show they all have 5mm + of material on them. I realise the inner ones which can't be seen maybe less. The service receipts show the front and rears have been replaced within the last 10k or so.

I have looked at getting new pads and fitting them myself and the ones I've been looking at on Euro Car Parts all state that the sensor is not included.

Is the sensor an item that is prone to false alarms , will I need to change it anyway if I do the pads and is there an easy way to get rid of the warning lights / message on the dash until I resolve the matter

Thanks in advance

Rob

The sensor is located on the inner pad. There's only two on the car (if memory serves it's the n/s front and o/s rear - but it could be the other way round, can't remember!) and you won't be able to see if it's worn without taking the wheel off or scrabbling around under the car.

They illuminate the warning light by either touching the disc and thus completing an electrical circuit or by physically breaking the cable. The cable doesn't normally break unless you catch it on the undergrowth etc and the sensors aren't prone to failure as they are nothing more than a small strip of metal.

Be aware that even though you may replace the pads and sensor (which only clips in place) the light won't extinguish straight away. You can either turn it off by using a diagnostic tool or wait for about 5-10 start sequences until it goes out.

Although it's possible, by cutting the cable and joining the two wires together, I wouldn't recommend turning off the warning light prematurely, as it's there to tell you your pads are getting low. A simple but effective safety reminder. 10k miles is lowish for pad replacement, but obviously very dependent on driving conditions. Not sure you should be reading this bit.

GKP , thanks for the reply. If I get new pads will one (per axle) of them come with a wire built in to connect to the sensor or does the sensor work without actually connecting to the brake pad.

If the latter will I need a new sensor or will the existing one detect new pads have been fitted ?

Never changed my pads, but I think the sensor is seperate, but I most change them anyway as they are only about £10

Brake pad wear sensor wire is seperate item from brake pads (approx £12 inc Vat each from LR dealer)

The sensor end slots into groove on top centre of brake pad - other end into connector on loom (usually behind inner wheel arch cowling)

Is it common practice to change the sensor at the same time as the pads or do the existing sensors get re-used

Thanks to all for your help

Last time I changed the pads, the sensor was ok - until, I tried to remove it from the old pad

The small plastic sensor tip was very brittle and just cracked exposing the wire, so I would get a set just to be on the safe side. The sensor wires are about 12" / 30cm long if I remember rightly.

When you buy the pads you should get some replacement caliper bolts (included) which need replacing also - because they have 'Loctite' applied to them.

Ok , I'll head off to Euro Car Parts later and get everything I need once I've determined whether it's the front or rears that need changing.

Thanks again

Just a quick update, after removing the wheels to inspect the inner pads I found them all in good order . I did however notice that the wire leading to the rear brake sensor had chafed against the calliper and exposed the wires causing them to give a false warning. After following the advice give in an earlier post I chopped out the damaged area and joined the 2 remaining good wires together to complete the circuit. All is well again and the warning light and message has gone . I'll keep an eye on the pads and when the time comes to change them I'll do the sensor at the same time.

Also solved another niggle today as well but I'll save that for another thread