My 198 A4 Avant brake warning light illuminates whilst the brakes, fluid and lines are all OK, having passed the MOT in this condition. Audi want the usual fortune to replace faulty parts; is there a cheaper way? I am not mechanically minded.
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CD
Which warning light; ABS; pad wear; brakelight bulb; master brake warning?
What has your dealer quoted for?
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Thanks. As I said, I'm non-technical. Warning light is in the form of a yellow brake disc with brackets around it and a flashing symbol in the centre. Not the large (frightening) warning in red. Verbal quote from dealer to "replace parts". All pads and fluid new, lines tested OK.
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CD
The warning lamp function will be explained in your handbook. Have a look to confirm/refute that it's the pad wear warning circuit one.
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Are the wear sensors separate to the brake pads? You say you've had new pads fitted, so by the sounds of it the sensors also need replacing. Either that, or the fault light needs to be reset. Must admit to not being familiar with Audi's.
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Confirm pad wearing warning light but these have done only a thousand miles or so. Problem existed before pad renewal. Where do we go from here, It's the crazy Audi costs I wish to avoid. Thanks.
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but these have done only a thousand miles or so.
Are you referring to the pads & sensors, or just the pads?
Problem existed before pad renewal.
In which case, it's a sensor or wiring related problem.
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The problem is most likely due to a poor connection at the wear sensor connector in the front wheel arch (usually LH).
VAG use a system which relys on a worn pad creating an open circuit when it reaches its wear limit - consequently a poor connection in the wheel arch will cause a fault indication.
Clean the connector pins very carefully (don't scrape off any plating), pack with silicone grease and unmate/mate 5 times to shift oxidation on pins.
A really stupid place to site a connector. It looks as though the numpty electrical department at VAG is still going strong - I've just "fixed" a corroded junction box on a Golf, sited on top of the battery. They obviously didn't think about the acid fumes all batteries give off whilst being charged.
659.
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Thanks for this. As you will have seen, as I am a non-technical bod, can you say precisely where the wear sensor connector is and what it looks like. Most specific answer so far. Cheers!
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Jack up the front (I would suggest LHS first) and remove the roadwheel.
If you are non technical, seek advice on anything you are unsure of and never, ever, go underneath a car on a jack. To do this job, you don't need to go underneath.
The wire you are after is the one which runs beside and is parallel to the hydraulic brake hose. The arrangement looks a bit like a thick and a thin wire running side by side but, obviously, the thicker one is a hose.
Follow the wire upwards to its fixing bracket and then onwards into the inner wheel arch. The connector is located here. It will have a locking latch - you may need a small screwdriver to release it.
If you are non technical, limit your activities to a safe inspection of the wiring and connector - do not interfere with the brakes themselves. Best of luck.
659.
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