Anyone really use their brake pad wear sensor system?

[Dennis Kalma]

In the process of stripping the '89 prior to fitting the 6 speed G50, which is out being disassembled and then machined.

There is a lot of wiring and little clamps and stuff associated with the brake pad wear sensor system, in my case 3 out of 4 were just tied up to the suspension and not in use. Yet another Porsche system that seems to use 27 parts when 4 would do.

Question is, does anyone really use that system? I suspect Porsche had to add it for the German regulations and it is just easier to put it on every car than to mix and match...

I don't have a system on my '75, which has Turbo brakes, and figure the spring tune up is a great time to check for pad wear ...and I am sure I will do the same when the '89 hits the road in '13....

I figure I'll just take the whole thing out, remove all the various clamps and clips, wiring and plug the chassis holes and be done with it.

Any dissenting opinions?

Dennis

[theclaw]

Short answer. NO.

I cliped them off because all of the pads I put on there don't have the notch to put the sensor. If you are paying attention to your car, YOU are the wear sensor.

[ianc]

Agree. It is useless crap for people who need a punch in the face to remind them to take the car in for servicing...

ianc

[Por_sha911]

Um, yes. The sensor will tell you before you have a total problem with no pad left. Besides, why not have a secondary system to protect/remind you (ie: Seized caliper that would cause premature failure on one wheel)? I hope that this doesn't qualify me as getting a punch in the face
(You may want to see a counselor about that anger issue).

[DRACO A5OG]

The PO disconnected the Warning Light for Brake, Belt and Parking Brake.

It's nice not to have a red light telling me "Seat Belt Stupid", "Parking Brake Retard" & "Check the Damn Pads".

I do agree about the failed caliper/s issue, a very good point.

[CharlesJones]

I think that for anyone who takes an interest in their car they are completely useless - you will know the condition of your pads long before the sensor light comes on. And then if the sensor does trigger for some reason - perhaps caused be a seized caliper or something - you will have to renew it to prevent the warning light staying on. They're just a useless pain in the bum, although I recommend zip-tieing them out of the way rather than cutting them off just in case you should ever need to reinstate them for some reason.

[ZOA NOM]

Actually, they are useful, even if you have bypassed them. The brake warning light serves a dual purpose. It tells you when the pads are ready to be changed (which is what most of us bypass by clipping them and tying them up), but it also notifies you of low fluid level in the reservoir. I have kept that feature intact by shorting the ends of the sensors together at each wheel rather than clipping them. This keeps the light off regardless of pad wear, but the reservoir switch will still illuminate the light. I always know where my pads are, but I don't always check the fluid like I should.

edit: I had the circuit backwards. I clipped the ends and left them open. The pad sensors actually keep the circuit open until they are worn through and short out, lighting the warning light.

[wolf]

are you sure about the fluid issue? not in my instruction book iirc.

[89911]

The sensors are for the uninformed and mechanically uninclined to take there car to the dealer for a $600 pad change. I found them to be just an added expense and pain when I change pads every 3-4 times a year for track events. A simple flashlight and inspection is all you need if you aren't changing them that often.

[jbrinkley]

the only reason I don't is because SC pads are cheaper. At least I thought they were last time I bought some. Maybe I'm wrong

[Lorenfb]

"Agree. It is useless crap for people who need a punch in the face to remind them to take the car in for servicing..."

ianc

Right! Just like the other useless ones:

1. Alternator light
2. Oil light
3. High beam

[Dennis Kalma]

Yeah, the fluid warning light is very useful, I have had one catastrophic loss of brake fluid (not on the Porsche) and then had a sphincter tightening moment when I tried to brake for making a turn on a high traffic intersection.

I have no great problem with the pad warning system, lots of non-mechanically inclined people benefit from the warning system, it is just that it is fairly wire intensive, and i have the opportunitity to take it out easily...and I am anally retentive about checking things like that out...

Thanks to all

Dennis

[ZOA NOM]

Originally Posted by wolf

are you sure about the fluid issue? not in my instruction book iirc.

Yes. That's what the switch on the reservoir does.

[Por_sha911]

OK, maybe I was in the wrong line when they were handing out male macho bravado but, what is the harm? I am extremely OCD about my car and I do a majority of the work myself. I just don't see the problem with the sensor. I am not a fan of "idiot lights" for oil pressure, temp, etc instead of gauges but this is a backup to good maintenance for forgetful people. It doesn't cost anything, it doesn't reduce performance in any way, and, God forbid one of you perfect people forgets to check the brakes one month it may give you a little warning that you have an issue if a caliper freezes. Give me a break!
Apparently, I am a mere mortal among the gods of the automotive universe. I feel so unworthy of posting on this BBS...

[ZOA NOM]

Seriously Joe, anybody with a Steve Wong Chip, B&B Exhaust, Turbo Tie Rods, and other fun stuff should have clipped their brake sensors by now.

[theclaw]

I clipped mine and sealed the wires with RTV. Now the warning light is on all the time. Now that I think about it, its better to just zip tie them out of the way. They are still pretty useless if you are really taking care of your car.

[ZOA NOM]

Originally Posted by theclaw

I clipped mine and sealed the wires with RTV. Now the warning light is on all the time. Now that I think about it, its better to just zip tie them out of the way. They are still pretty useless if you are really taking care of your car.

Now you've got me wondering... which way do they work? Are they a closed circuit that opens when the rotor rubs through it, or are they an open circuit that shorts when the rotor rubs through it? If you clipped them and the light stays on, I would think they are normally a closed loop that is opened by the rotor rubbing through. Try twisting the ends together before you RTV them up and see if the light goes out.

On the other hand, your fluid could be low.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by ZOANAS

Seriously Joe, anybody with a Steve Wong Chip, B&B Exhaust, Turbo Tie Rods, and other fun stuff should have clipped their brake sensors by now.

Does getting clipped hurt? Is it reversable if I change my mind later on?

[Thrlls]

I haven't done it on my Carrera, but on my Bimmer I disconnected the wiring to the pads and removed the bulb from the cluster. Since I autox and tracked that car, I was constantly changing my pads.
As for my Carrera, I think I'll end up doing the same when I get to the brake modding session.
As far as I know, the wiring to the pads are for pad wear only, and the warning light for your fluid is a different wire connected to the cap of your reservoir cap.
I wouldn't disconnect the fluid sensor as this is good to have should your car develop a leak...especially a small one, at least you'll know you need to check your brake lining/system.

[burgermeister]

If it works and doesn't bother anything, why not leave it? Seems like a good idea to me (though I prefer driving to wrenching) ... of course, if it bugs, the heck out of you for some reason, then get rid of them - tis your car. Worst case you ruin a rotor...