atx.911

I have a 2003 996 with 45k. After making a road trip through some winding roads in the hills and using the brakes more than normal, my internal brake warning light came on. I went ahead and ordered some OEMs replacements. When I drove the car again after sitting for a day or two, I didn't get the warning light for the brakes.

So now I am thinking that I don't need new brakes. I do get some squeaking from the brakes because of dust but an occasional different squeaking sound from the brakes. I have about 45k miles on it.

Should I go ahead and replace the brakes? I never track the car. I would like the squeaking to stop and think maybe replacing the brakes would take care of it.

Also am having trouble with the sunroof, I hear a popping sound when I close the sunroof and the auto open and close is no longer working. Should I have the shop check it out?

cdodkin

Did you check the actual brakes - as in look at them?

A quick visual inspection all around will tell you if you have any pads left....

You probably wore through the break warning sensor, and are now happily destroying your rotors....

ivangene

DUDE!

that's mean, I almost spit out my beer with the "happily destroying" comment

+1 - and step one.... LOOK AT BRAKES, take wheels off, look front and back of fronts and rears.

cdodkin

Sorry - two glasses of red into my web browsing - caution to the wind etc etc

ivangene

OK, I am catching up now... 2 beers and the kids alseep

GNR996

just going through this now. 75,000KM around 40K some odd miles I guess.

The wear sensor light will come on and then go off for a little while before it comes on steady. at least thats been my experience FWIW.

Time to start thinking about new pads, budjet for rotors too.

smackboy1

The brake sensors are just a wire loop stuck into a hole in the side of the brake pads. When the brake pads wears through the wire it breaks the circuit and voila, the light comes on. The wire isn't cut instantaneously. First the plastic insulation is worn off, exposing the copper, then the copper is worn away breaking the circuit permanently. Also, the inboard pad that is harder to see often wears quicker than the outboard pad. So when the pad is down exposing the copper wire the light will go on and off intermittently (e.g. when it gets wet) until the wire is completely severed. When pads are down to around 2-3 mm they should be replaced. There maybe enough friction material to stop the car, but there isn't that much thermal mass to absorb the heat.

atx.911

Hahaha, I would know if I was happily destroying my rotors. That would be more of a grinding and chomping continuous squeeling and sreaming sound lol.

I have driven the car several times now since the first time it came on. The light hasn't come on anymore. I think if the sensor circuit loop was completely destroyed and worn to the copper, the light would be on permanently from what I read here at rennlist.

The squeaking happens occasionally - I rarely hear them squeak, so unlike you chumps out there who wait until the very last minute until your brakes fail completely then ask mommy and daddy for help, I am tackling this just at the right time. It's not like the brake pads are completely worn to nothing and nor the rotors destroyed. After I wash the car, the squeaking stops so that tells me it's brake dust possibly. This car is not my daily driver and I have never tracked it before unfortunately.

When I get the brake pads installed will have them check out the rotors, check the surface and make measurements so I have an idea when they would need to be replaced.

Drinking and surfing Rennlist, that's one way to spend a Thursday night. I think that beats going out to the bar, watching the game and hooking up hahahhaha!

Seriously thanks for the feedback.

redridge

I hate those brake sensors... I soddered mine. No more light!

Apex996

I just did a write up with pics on killing the brake warning light...

http://apex996.blogspot.com/