Melted Brake Caliper sensor- fix possible?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 341
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From: Richmond, CA
Melted Brake Caliper sensor- fix possible?
So I started tearing apart my car last night to begin my M030 ROW suspension upgrade (btw sunset doubled the price on the kit 
) and I came across a wire or sensor that seems to have been melted off from the caliper. See photo attached. Kind of a blurry camera photo but anyone who knows breaks should get the idea. I marked two squares on the photo to show where the piece should go. Any idea if this is repairable and if so who might have expertise? Exactly what does this sensor monitor? Pad wear? Does it have more important functions of brake control?
) and I came across a wire or sensor that seems to have been melted off from the caliper. See photo attached. Kind of a blurry camera photo but anyone who knows breaks should get the idea. I marked two squares on the photo to show where the piece should go. Any idea if this is repairable and if so who might have expertise? Exactly what does this sensor monitor? Pad wear? Does it have more important functions of brake control?
Agent Orange
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,253
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Don't worry about it. It only monitors brake pad wear. These sensors are throwaways. When the pad reaches a certain thickness (thinness?) the wire breaks severing a circuit and prompts a warning light in your oil gauge. You replace the sensor and the light goes away.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 624
Likes: 224
From: Lake Zurich, IL
I'd just replace the sensor. I don't think you can epoxy it back together. Its function is to create an electrical "open circuit" when the brake pad wears thin. Without the sensor you could wear your pads down to the backing plate and score your rotors.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Houston, Tx
The brake pad wear sensors are crap, and will melt on repeatedly hard braking. Take them out, cut off and short circuit the wires (to get the warning light off), and use some plastic ties to fasten them to the brake hoses. You should do a manual inspection of the brake pad wear once in a while anyway, the pads are easily visible between the caliper and rotor.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 417
Likes: 1
From: Winlaw, BC, Canada
uicnick:
Those pad backing plates are getting pretty close to the rotors.
I think the picture shows a need to get new pads anyway.
I just did a renewal all around and decided, like many others, to eliminate the pad sensors.
Cut the wires close to the carbon contact-end, then strip the ends, solder them together, insulate and then tie them back with a Zip Tie.
If the rotors are pretty worn or show stress cracks, replace them which is always good for new pads.
Those pad backing plates are getting pretty close to the rotors.
I think the picture shows a need to get new pads anyway.
I just did a renewal all around and decided, like many others, to eliminate the pad sensors.
Cut the wires close to the carbon contact-end, then strip the ends, solder them together, insulate and then tie them back with a Zip Tie.
If the rotors are pretty worn or show stress cracks, replace them which is always good for new pads.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,471
Likes: 209
From: Tacoma, WA
Yup, looks like the pads are shot, & you need to get a new sensor anyway.
I got my M030 kit from FD Motorsports, he is cheaper then Sunset.
On another note, can you push in the shock piston for me, & let me know how much resistance it has & how fast it pops back up? I'm super surprised how little compression & rebound the shocks have.
I got my M030 kit from FD Motorsports, he is cheaper then Sunset.
On another note, can you push in the shock piston for me, & let me know how much resistance it has & how fast it pops back up? I'm super surprised how little compression & rebound the shocks have.
