Blinking Brake Light? (Say that 5 times fast)

[flixbiz]

My brake warning light was lit this morning, but it cut off whenever I applied the brakes. After awhile, it blinked sporadically, then cut off altogether. What does that indicate? Low pads?

[elau]

Can't tell unless you inspect the pads. However, I have a similar experience with my '87 300E recently. It turned out to be a faulty sensor. It also comes on whenever it is raining.

[G-Benz]

The pad wear sensors start to contact the disc, completing the circuit by ground, thus setting off the light on your dash. Initially, it will just flicker sporatically, usually when you tap on the brakes, but not always.

As your pad wears further, the sensor makes complete contact and the light illuminates brightly instead of flickering.

Anyway, your sensors are telling you that your pads are nearing their maximum wear tolerances (sensors are mounted on the front pads). Under normal driving conditions, that translates to around 1500-2000 miles of pad life...plenty of time to address the issue.

[elau]

G-Benz,
Do you think when the light comes on the pad still has 1,500 - 2,000 miles to go? I was told by the dealer that max is 1,000. Anyway, I don't mean to make a big deal on the miles to failure. I think when the brake light comes it, have the brake work on at once. It is one of the most critical components on a vehicle.

On the other hand, my dealer told me the pads for my SL need replacing and that the light should come on any moment. That was two years ago

[G-Benz]

When the light comes on, I go ahead and inspect the pads for wear, and find that there is still plenty of pad left before the danger of metal-to-rotor contact. Based on my pad change intervals, I measured the thickness when new, and when the sensor does it's thing, my estimates come to around 1500-2000 miles...note that I'm am easy driver...autobahn-like tendencies will shorten pad life and expected time to replace, dramatically.

I am also making these statements with my pad replacement experience on my W124 (which have the same basic brake setups, btw).

I bought the R129 in 2000 and have YET to see the indicator come on that one (yeah, I did check the pads and sensors).

Note, that MB engineers a "sloth factor" to all of their components, so that lackluster owners are not severely "dinged" by not following strict maintenance routines.

[amcgeh01]

Hi Everyone, I had the same problem and replaced the front brake pads with after market ones.. That was fine and the light went off.. Now, 2 months later it started intermittantly coming back on/off until this week - it is now staying on... I pulled off both front tires to inspect.. The pads are still new, I replaced the sensor cable wires (4) - 2 each side and got back in to check and the damn thing is still lit.

My question is: Is there any other sensors that are connected to the Brake Light that would force it to come on.

Thanks ahead for any help or ideas.. Otherwise I will be forced to pay the MB mech to look at it.

Sincerely,

A.J.

[flixbiz]

My problem was a frozen and leaking caliper. I replaced both rears and the light has remained off for months now. My pads were practically unworn.

[deanyel]

I have a friend in Germany who believes you can actually go several thousand miles after the brake warning light comes on. But there's really no reason to push it - might as well get it over with, get rid of the light and have some peace of mind.