Can I replace the brake pad wear sensors after changing the brake pads.

[Stinkywade]

Hello,
Please can someone advise me if it is possible to replace the brake pads on a E46 330D without having to dismantle the entire braking system again ? I want to replace the brake pads on the front of the car and do not have the sensors yet, can this be done at a later stage ?
Thank You:idea:

 

[Jandre]

If the e46 is anything like the e39, you can fit the sensors at any time. I can just unplug the sensors from the top of the brakepad, without removing anything.

 

[frikkieh]

It can be done, but not recommended.
Rather do it all at once, it will save time.

 

[Hellas]

Yes, you just have the trouble of removing the wheel again. But it will do nothing to the brakes or braking system

 

[Ralf*]

Yes, you just have the trouble of removing the wheel again. But it will do nothing to the brakes or braking system

+1:thumbs:

only need to remove the affected wheel to access the sensor, clips in from the outer edge.

If you want to temporarily cancel the light(indicator), simply bare the electrical wire lead and twist toegether, the brake wear indicator works on a closed (complete) circuit, and when the brake wear rubs away the sensor it actually breaks the circuit (open circuit) which sets of the light warning.

 

[abmi0000]

You only have the sensor on one wheel (left, I think) so it isn't such a schlep to replace after the fact. Dont bother getting the sensors from the agents. The after market options work perfectly.

 

[Mike1]

The sensors are just over R150 from the agents, so you may as well get them there as they are dirt cheap as there are only 2.

To those stating that driving with malfunctioning or driving with old sensors on new pads is advisable need to go drive a BMW in this condition.

The wheel sensors control the ABS of the car and play a vital role in the ASC or DSC system your vehicle has.

A faulty or damaged sensor from not being replaced causes the DSC/ASC system often to simply de-activate, something you wont know about until you go through a wall backwards.

The same applies to the ABS, I dare you to slam on brakes even with your new pads and see how the car reacts. :thumbdo:

I have experienced this on both our BMW X5 project car as well as our new 330Ci Project car. In fact the ABS on the 330Ci is non-existant with the sensors being faulty and the ASC kicks in even under normal driving.

This is a safety aspect to the vehicle and with a warning light constantly lit on the dash I would like to see you explain that your car is a write off because of a R150 sensor.

Do it properly the first time.

Mike

 

[KSINGH]

Mike,

i am no technician but I would not think that the ABS or other control systems should be affected by the sensor going out. I could be wrong but it means the driver will be at risk while the sensor is gone out. if it goes out on a friday and you can only get the sensor replaced on a monday one is without ABS etc. for a weekend.

Something does not sound right here.

 

[moranor@axis]

Mike,

i am no technician but I would not think that the ABS or other control systems should be affected by the sensor going out. I could be wrong but it means the driver will be at risk while the sensor is gone out. if it goes out on a friday and you can only get the sensor replaced on a monday one is without ABS etc. for a weekend.

Something does not sound right here.

the pad wear sensor only does pad wear... the wheel sensors control the abs...

 

[kabal]

brake pad sensors do absolutely nothing else besides complete a circuit, and display the replace pads light

 

[Mike1]

Yes, you are right I was thinking of the wheels sensor not the pad sensor. :thumbdo:

Interestingly our X5 had brand new discs and pads and the sensors were fine, yet a brake error came up and the light come on which was repaired by replacing both wheels sensors which also cured the ABS and ASC faults and the 330ci has exactly the same issue.

Its a cheap fix, you may as well just do it at the same time. :thumbs:

 

[KSINGH]

Yes, you are right I was thinking of the wheels sensor not the pad sensor. :thumbdo:

Interestingly our X5 had brand new discs and pads and the sensors were fine, yet a brake error came up and the light come on which was repaired by replacing both wheels sensors which also cured the ABS and ASC faults and the 330ci has exactly the same issue.

Its a cheap fix, you may as well just do it at the same time. :thumbs:

are you saying replace the wheel sensors which aint faulty :thinking: