A6 Avant 2.0 Tdi brake pad warning light issue

[petrolhead63]

I bought my car with the pad warning light on, easy I thought. Front pads looked almost new, rears very thin. So I put new rears in (manually winding back the EPB rather than pc) but the warning light is still on and being honest not sure the pads were that thin in the rear.
So I check front pads, the B-g--r up brigade been there before me as usual with a used car
One side has wires from pads connected to the socket and on the other side no wires, just cut!
I'm happy to run with no warning wires coupled, but tried with both sets disconnected and both sets jumped together but each way pad warning light still on.

Any ideas gratefully received.

Also does anybody know if this warning light system works on the warning wires being connected and broken for a warning light or disconnected and then connected when the light comes on. I know others I worked on are connected and the wire brakes in the pad as it rubs on the disc.

[dan2485]

This works the opposite way to what you described.

the light is only for the fronts on the A6 when the wire goes open circuit the light comes on.

[petrolhead63]

hi and thanks,
so I have now bared the two wires and twisted them together which should mean no warning light but the light is still on. Does it need a computer reset.

[MarkTM]

My understanding is that the front pads should reset automatically without the need for any software intervention.

It could be that you need the front pads done again with new wires.

Before spending the money needlessly it's best to get the car scanned.

I assume it's the big red break warning that's showing...how is your brake fluid btw?

[petrolhead63]

yes its the big pad light on the computer.....orange one, press the button and it clarifies it as pads. Fluid is fine, maybe too much if anything having changed rear pads.
the previous owner/mechanic?? had left it with one pad connected to the plug on the suspension and the other has no wires from the pads and two bare ends cut on the plug.
So one was connected and one not, obviously why it had warning light.
On our A3 I have fitted pads without wires in and cable tied the plugs out the way.
It mystifies me why with either the wires joined at the plug or not joined the light stays on.....it must be either an open or closed circuit when functioning correctly.

[dan2485]

One of the looms may have a break in it hence the bodgery attemp in the past to fix.

If the car was bought from dealer (does not have to be main dealer) in the last 6 months bring back to them to fix the fault this is your right.