ltdodge

im going to switch out pads and rotors and want to buy new sensors. i found on pelican parts oem sensors are $40, but after market sensors "made for porsche" are $9.50 or $6.75. same part number as well
why such a markup? will the $9.50 sensors work the same?

worf928

Because it comes in a Porsche bag.

Almost assuredly. The old sensors will work too, assuming you can extricate them from the old pads without damage.

Sidvicious7

Yes, the $9.50 PEX sensors will work. I changed my pads and sensors last month and the PEX fit perfectly.

ltdodge

Thanks

bogdan_p

Great information! PEX it is!

I've had issues with fitment of Sebro brand sensors on BMW pads as well. At least they're consistent.

Joec500

I bought the Sebro ones! I will let you know. At the end of the day I constantly visually inspect my pads, I just bought them for the sake of completion OCD situation. I DO NOT rely on these to warn me of my pads. Also I don't think I would pass Technical with current pad life and brake sensors intact.

MJG911

check rockauto, they seem to have the cheapest prices.

Valvefloat991

A couple of questions on this thread. One person said that the old sensors will work if you can get them out. Another person said they monitor their pads to make sure they don't go metal on metal.

On my previous car, a BMW 335i, the sensors were definitely not reusable as they wore down with the pads. And they did this because this wear somehow generated a proportional signal so that the car could predict the life of the brake pads. This prediction was very accurate and you could wait until the system predicted a remaining life of 1000 miles before replacing your pads. In other words, they were not simply a "thin pad" warning.

Do the 991.2 pad sensors work in the same way?

worf928

I was (obviously) the person that wrote that they could be reused. However, you raise a good question.

Here's the basis for my answer:

- On previous Porsche's the pad sensors close a simple circuit: when the pad-material of the sensor wears-down to the point that the wire is 'eaten' through the circuit opens and the warning is activated.
- My 991.1 pad sensors appear to be functionally identical to 'older' Porsches.
- There is no indication (dash info on pad life, owner's manual, etc.) that indicates that a resistance circuit is used for the sensors.

The 991.2 may be different.

A key indicator would be if the pad material of the sensor is as thick as the pad itself or if it's only a fraction as thick.

At $10 each, there may be little point to even attempting to extricate the old sensors.

I'm used to sensors that can only - only - be sourced from Porsche and a full set runs > $120 and as much as $160 depending upon model year.