Autocheck Brake Pad Light

[David Head]

To add to the above - its a SERIES connection for the two sensors. I've seen
issues with two type 44s (87, 89) where a problem occured in the harness. When
that happens you go back to the proper pin AT the autocheck computer and ground
it - then start checking your pad thickness like you should be anyway...
I posted the correct pin number a long time ago - like 3 years... Procedure
would be the same for V8s and later models - you would just do it at the inst
cluster as the autocheck computer is incorporated into it vice a seperate
component...

"S. Jaworski" wrote:

> There is a wire in the brake pad material. When you wear thru it, it
> produces an open circuit that the autocheck system senses . . and the brake
> warning light comes on.
>
> With the non audi pads installed, the autocheck system sees an open circuit
> all the time. Why does light go on faster? Dunno, I suspect the two open
> circuits produce a much higher resistance than when only one pad is open.
> With only one circuit open, the auto check system maybe has to think about
> it a bit before rendering a decision. With both circuits open . .its an open
> and shut case(no pun intended) . . .and it issues out an alarm immediately.
>
> Most ppl think the autocheck brake system works the other way around . ..
> that a short occurs when the pads are worn out. Thats why you and the
> mechanic think there is an electrical problem . . . with the circuit now
> open the warning light should be out.
>
> If you dont give a hoot about the autocheck brake warning(like yours truly),
> just short out the brake pad connector at the caliper. Of course, the job
> would be much simpler if you had the mating connector with wires from the
> old pads. Just strip the wires and twist them together with wire nut, tape
> it with electrical tape. Otherwise, you have to cut off the harness
> connector and short the wires. The next owner might want the system to work
> though.
>
> Wired new pads for my 5k only cost $15. Put new ones in. The job is not
> hard. Besides, I always thought the ability to work on an audi was a
> prerequisite to owning one.
>
> Syl
> 88 5kq
> 90 100q
>
> > Message: 6
> > Reply-To: "Ryan Gemmill" <Gemmill at flashmail.com>
> > From: "Ryan Gemmill" <Gemmill3 at flashmail.com>
> > To: <quattro at audifans.com>
> > Subject: Autocheck Brake Pad Light
> > Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2001 20:45:57 -0400
> >
> > Quats,
> >
> > Yesterday I had a competent (but not neccesarily Audi proficient) shop
> > replace the front pads and rotors on my '91 200 (they do mostly Porsche
> > work). Autocheck's brake pad warning light had been coming on every time I
> > started the car, but never right away when I turned on the iginition. It
> > always went on a few seconds after the car went into motion. The old pads
> > were worn to the point where the sensor would be triggered. The new pads
> do
> > not have a sensor for Autocheck. Now, the brake pad warning light comes on
> > the instant I turn on the ignition.
> >
> > The shop considered it an electrical problem, but that doesn't explain why
> > the light comes on so quickly now, and not before. I'm leaning towards the
> > idea that the sensor wires are not properly tied down. Any ideas?
> >
> > Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
> >
> > Ryan Gemmill
> > 91 200