A3 Brake warning light

[samz77]

Hi,

I own an A3 1.9 tdi Qauttro sport on a 53 plate.

I changed the front brake pads, however whenever I switch the car on the warning light comes on and stays on.

I have checked the rear pads and they are still over half life left.

Someone mentioned to me that the sensor wires may be broken hence creating a circuit to make the system believe they still need to be replaced.

My question:

Is there a way to clear this light without replacing the pads again?

Thanks

Sam

[paul b]

I bet they were not genuine pads with the ABS sensors in? You could probably try turning this off with VAGCOM but it is most likely it will re-appear.
Paul

[samz77]

Hi Paul,

You are right they weren't.

What is VAGCOM?

Sorry I am new to this!

When we replaced them they were exactly the same in shape / size / sensor connector!

What would you receommend?

Cheers

Sam

[mluton]

Do the new pads have sensors on them ?

Check to see if the sensor is broken.

IIRC the dash warning lights, ie Brake warning lamp can be turned off via a VAG COM.

A VAG COM is diagnostic software for a PC that uses a seriel cable to connect to the car.

[samz77]

When you say sensor...

On the passenger side there were wires which we connected to a block connector.

Is it worth disconnecting the connector and fooling the system into thinking all is ok?

Also where can I buy VAG COM from and roughly how much should I pay?

Is it easy to use?

Sam

[mluton]

Disconnetting the sensor will make the light come on.

What i did was cut the sensor off the old pads, joined the wires and taped it up and reconnected it.

An Offical VAG COM is about £150 imported from the USA, but you can buy dummy cabels off ebay, as I have done for about £15, with shareware software.

The official manufactuers website will give you more info:
http://www.ross-tech.com/

The forum search button will bring loads of info up on VAG COM.

[samz77]

I'll give that a try.

Thanks for your help and advice!

Sam

[paul b]

Disconnetting the sensor will make the light come on.

What i did was cut the sensor off the old pads, joined the wires and taped it up and reconnected it.

An Offical VAG COM is about £150 imported from the USA, but you can buy dummy cabels off ebay, as I have done for about £15, with shareware software.

The official manufactuers website will give you more info:
http://www.ross-tech.com/

The forum search button will bring loads of info up on VAG COM.

Too true...