My brake pad sensor light was flickering last night on the way home. I am assuming that I have a short in one of the sensors. Is there any harm in running the car with out the sensors for a few days to see if that is the problem?

Thanks

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

How good are your brakepads?

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

Why do you assume there's a short somewhere? Why not remove a wheel and check the brake pad lining thickness? Spec = 11mm new, 2.5mm touches the wear sensor, 2mm is discard thickness.

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

to your question, no no harm driving a few days that way. the only thing that happens is the light flickers. it is not secretly attached to a kill switch or anything! heh heh.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

My wife drove her ML320 for another 4 weeks before I got around to doing the brakes. As I recall there was still a fair amount of life in the brake pad when the sensor started lighting up. It should leave you ample time to get them fixed, but don't wait too long.
Don

Per the manual, about 1000 km worth of pad left when the light starts to flicker.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

The brake pads (at least the out sid pads) have alot of life left. They are not that old maybe 2 years and 15K (just guessing. I do not have the maint manual so I have no idea when I replaced them). So I am pretty sure it's not the pads. Just wanted to make sure that when I take the wheels off later today that if I find the pads to be fine, I can oull the sensers out to see if that is whats causing the flicker.

Thanks

__________________
Sent from an agnostic abacus

2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD**

- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

Outside pads do not always correlate well with inside pad wear.

Under standing the sensor will explain your situation.
The sensor is a grounding wire that is coated with plastic. as the rotors wear the pads down it "files" away the plastic and starts to make contact with t he metal wire in the sensor. The rotor is providing the ground to the light in the dash. so the process is slow and results in a flickering of the light initially. You have 4 wires in the front pads. Which one is worn requires that you inspect all 4 pads to ensure that the caliper is not causing one pad to wear prematurely.

As posted you can go 1000 KM after the light starts to flicker. But an inspection is required to make sure the pads are wearing evenly.

It is possible for the wire harness to deteriorate. but then it usually illuminates while the wheels are turned, placing a force on the wire harness.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car