Brake pad warning light

[Nodds]

A week or two back the brake pad warning light came on, as it was booked in for sevice the pads would be changed. However on inspection at the service the pads have plenty of life left in them.
The light didn't come on again for a while, but lights up every time i start the car.
Is this a common fault and any ideas where to look to fix it ?

Thanks

Nodds

[Nige_RS4]

Very common problem - more than likely its just a bit of dirt or moisture in the pad warning light connector under the front wheel arch

[mikeyquattro]

I had a broken wire on mine. PIA to find as vag-com doesn't say which sensor is playing up

[Nige_RS4]

Well S4's only have pad sensors on the front, so shouldn't be too difficult to trace.

[Nodds]

i have tried cleaning up the connectors, but no change. So i guess its a broken wire.
How do they work, is there a charge running through the circuit and when the loop is broken ususally by the pads wearing down the circuit is broken and the warning light comes on. So a broken wire would give the same result ?

If its not an easy fix can you ust disconnect them ?


Thanks

Nodds

[SJS]

have you tried sticking a short length of wire into the connector to see if the light goes out. that proves whether there is a fault in the cable going to the back of the caliper. If not then its likely the connection on/in the pad has become open circuit.