Atego 815 Brake Wear Warning Light Issue

[AtegoDriver]

Hey Folks,

I have a 2004 Atego 815, and recently the Brake Wear Warning Light has started showing (see photos below). Thing is, this lorry has been stood still for a little while now - the warning light came on one of the times I was starting her up to tick her over, but she hadn't moved at all since the time before when I started her up and there was no warning light.

There has been an issue with rats at the place where she is parked, and I am a bit concerned that maybe one of them has chewed through a wire to one of the sensors? I have had a good look around underneath but can see no damage, but am imagining that the sensors are pretty well hidden, behind the wheels, so maybe I wouldn't see it?

Otherwise, is it possible for the sensors to get an issue from corrosion or other damage from just sitting around? Or the brake hardware to get damaged in this way?

Incidentally, the amber ABS warning light has been showing for some time now - several mechanics have said they think that there is probably some dust on the sensor. Could this be related?

Any pointers or advice that you can give massively appreciated!

 

[AtegoDriver]

Does anyone know whereabouts the brake wear sensors are on this model?

 

[mattkh]

Do you mean which wheel...?

 

[AtegoDriver]

Do you mean which wheel...?

Yes. The mechanic is saying that it will cost x amount per wheel taken off so I would love to minimise number of wheels that need to be taken off!

 

[Jasons76]

i think you'll find there is a sensor on each wheel, the light will come on if it goes to earth,so the sensor is touching the disc ie the pads are worn enough to make the sensor touch the disc or the wire has chafed through(or been nibbled through by vermin) and is touching earth somewhere on the suspension or body.

 

[AtegoDriver]

i think you'll find there is a sensor on each wheel, the light will come on if it goes to earth,so the sensor is touching the disc ie the pads are worn enough to make the sensor touch the disc or the wire has chafed through(or been nibbled through by vermin) and is touching earth somewhere on the suspension or body.

Thanks Jasons76 - that's really useful!

So, is there any way to know which wheel has the affected sensor, without taking each of them off?

For example, if I got it over a pit, could it be viewable?

 

[mattkh]

If you easy access to the lorry, can you please put up a photo of the back of any of the wheels.
Make sure the photo shows the fluid pipe going to the brake caliper.
Gosh, just had a thought....!!!!!
Being a lorry, it probably has air brakes.

 

[Jasons76]

Thanks Jasons76 - that's really useful!

So, is there any way to know which wheel has the affected sensor, without taking each of them off?

For example, if I got it over a pit, could it be viewable?

not without a star machine if I remember from my truck days the atego and actros you could get the brake wear in percentage from the star machine if you haven't got star you are going to have to take the wheels off unless you can see the linings through the wheels but get it over a pit and see what you can see but certainly check the brake wear cables while you are under the vehicle.

 

[Jasons76]

If you easy access to the lorry, can you please put up a photo of the back of any of the wheels.
Make sure the photo shows the fluid pipe going to the brake caliper.
Gosh, just had a thought....!!!!!
Being a lorry, it probably has air brakes.

yes it has air brakes

 

[mattkh]

yes it has air brakes

Thanks.
Did some research today. Enjoyed it.
The disc brakes on the front are visible, but the rear wheels are a different story.