Re: <100CSQ>Front Brakes

[Shaun Mullen <smullen@philly.infi.net>]

Brian McCarthy wrote:
> 
> I have a 92 100CSQ which I bought in January with 50k mi.  So
> far, so good.
>         I do have two questions about the front brakes.  The warning
> system started indicating that I needed pads shortly after getting the
> car.  So I replaced the pads (with OEM parts), but they didn't seem to
> be that worn.  The warning system still complained.  I took the pads out
> again, double checked the connnections to the harness on both front
> pads.  They were clean, tight and dry.  Just for good measure, I snipped
> the wires off the sensors and made jumper plugs to fit into the end of
> the harness, taking the pad sensors out of the circuit.  Same deal.
> Every now and then (like three times in a thirty mile drive), the
> warning indicator lights up!  What gives?  I hope to locate an
> electrical troubleshooting manual (like BMW offers, the best I've ever
> seen) to give me clues about harness connector locations.  I checked the
> FAQ file, and didn't see any reference to this problem.
>         The other thing the front brakes do at highway speeds is squeak
> lightly every now and then *without* any pressure on the pedal.  As soon
> as I touch the pedal, the sound stops.  I don't remember if the original
> pads did this.  Again, I took them out, put Wurth anti-squeak on the
> pads, cleaned the caliper surfaces, etc.  Perhaps the piston is not
> retracting properly?  Anyone rebuild the calipers to solve this?
>         TIA
> Brian
> 
> 92 100CSQ 60k
> 86 VW Syncro Wagon 180k
> 86 BMW 528e 128k
> 74, 75 BMW 2002 lotsa-k
Your problem MAY be with a quirky monitoring system module, the readout
between the tach and speedo.  At about 60K, the module in my '92 100CSQW
started display a false CHECK OIL icon (the red oil can with drip, which
nearly induced heart failure the first time it meeped at me -- high up
in the Colorado Rockies, as a matter of fact.  The unit was replaced
gratis under extended warranty.  The second unit started displaying
amber supermarket bar code-like arrays intermittently at about 90K.  I
insisted the unit be replaced gratis.  The third unit has worked fine .
. . except for a very rare, very intermittent false CHECK BRAKE PAD
icon, and my pads are fine

-- Good luck, Shaun