W203 'Brake Lining Wear' warning message

[Birdy]

Hi,
I have a W203 (C200 kompressor - 51 reg).
I have been getting a 'brake lining wear - visit workshop' warning for a couple of weeks now. I have just replaced both front and rear pads but the warning still comes up. Do I need a code to remove the warning?
Many thanks
Rob

 

[anyweb]

have you tried pressing reset on the dashboard? if that doesnt work check that the sensor connections are connected properly

cheers
anyweb

 

[mercman_1]

Hi
Did you replace the brake pad sensors when you fitted the new pads ?, once these have been activated they require to be renewed.
Bob T.

 

[coolpot]

yea i did mine myself, and i just replaced the sensor (there was only one on the front) no sensor on the back. and it just reset itself.

 

[television]

Yes as Coolpot with new sensors they re set.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Make sure the new sensor is pushed fully home in the connector, a tiny squirt of lube will help, or the sensor you have is wrong

 

[nigelbunt]

hi everyone,merry christmas to all. my c 200 kompressor on a 51 plate has brake lining warning on dash. can you replace them yourself or is it a visit to a garage.

 

[47p2]

hi everyone,merry christmas to all. my c 200 kompressor on a 51 plate has brake lining warning on dash. can you replace them yourself or is it a visit to a garage.

If you are competent mechanically then this is a job that can easily be done by yourself. However if you are unsure then I would suggest visiting a garage as there is the safety issue when carrying out this sort of work. Always remember that saving a couple of pounds is fine if you know what you are doing, but lives are at risk and you would be held responsible should the brakes fail.

 

[television]

I can give you the info Nigel,,but as above if you are not confident then have them done

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Brake pads are probably the easiest job on a car if you know what you are doing and have the correct tooling and a strong jack (dont use the cars scissor jack use a trolly jack and axle stand).

Steve

 

[brandwooddixon]

If memory serves me right, I think that you can replace the sensors with the brake pads in situ.

 

[rich1975]

I have exactly same problem as OP - I replaced front pads and sensor about 6months ago as the warning light came on - once the new ones were installed the warning light went off automatically and all was well until about 2weeks ago.

Now the warning light is on again!! took the wheels off today and all seems well - any ideas or should i just buy a new sensors?

Also I know its not the right thing to do but is there anyway of just pulling a fuse for the brake pad wear indicator?? I just want rid of the constant flashing on the dash as I know my pads are fine. I assume this warning is just for pads and not linked to brake fluid or anything??

Thanks
Rich

 

[television]

I have exactly same problem as OP - I replaced front pads and sensor about 6months ago as the warning light came on - once the new ones were installed the warning light went off automatically and all was well until about 2weeks ago.

Now the warning light is on again!! took the wheels off today and all seems well - any ideas or should i just buy a new sensors?

Also I know its not the right thing to do but is there anyway of just pulling a fuse for the brake pad wear indicator?? I just want rid of the constant flashing on the dash as I know my pads are fine. I assume this warning is just for pads and not linked to brake fluid or anything??

Thanks
Rich

This depends on the year of the car,, there are single wire sensors up to about 2001 ,,when the plastic on the pin has worn through by the disc, this will put the light on, but only after the brake pedal has been pushed, and then stay on for the remainder of that journey.
So with this system the brake sensor wire has to touch a ground part of the car.

With the twin wire later system,, these work on a closed loop circuit, When a wire is cut by the disc, the warning lamp will come on and stay on every time you start the car up, till the new sensor has been fitted, along with the pads if they are worn down and cut the wire.

So if the warning lamp is on all the time,even when the brake pedal has not been touched, and the pads are newish, then you have an open circuit sensor (broken wire)

 

[rich1975]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Sorry forgot to say the car is a C200k 53 plate - yes you are right it does have the twin wire sensor - is there a way of disconnecting it to remove the warning light on the dash?

Out of interest am I correct in thinking that the rears dont have sensors?

Rich

 

[television]

Nothing on the rear,,why not buy new sensors for all they cost,,it is a safety thing, they can be plugged in, in minutes, it seldom pays to use the old twin wire type as the plugs are so fragile

 

[rich1975]

Yes I will buy the new sensor - they must be very fragile as this one has only lasted about 6 months!!

From memory I seem to think there is just one sensor on drivers wheel?

Thanks again

 

[television]

Yes I will buy the new sensor - they must be very fragile as this one has only lasted about 6 months!!

From memory I seem to think there is just one sensor on drivers wheel?

Thanks again

There must be one each side,or the lamp will stay on

 

[hutchy]

I've just had the warning light appear when i start up the car.

I have a 2004 C230k coupe and am confused about the sensors. I have read conflicting information on the amount and position of the brake wear sensors.

Originally i thought it was the rears that had triggered the warning as theres not much meat on the pads. But after reading posts on the net, some say the only sensor is front drivers side which look to have about 4mm left on them.

I plan on changing disks and pads myself, but wonder, do i need 1, 2 or 4 sensors ?

 

[panason1c]

From memory I seem to think there is just one sensor on drivers wheel?

Thanks again

You are correct, the pad-wear sensor is fitted to one wheel only, (the offside front wheel).

 

[television]

The following variants exist on the front axle, 1 contact sensor,2 contact sensors or 4 contact sensors

On the rear axle, no contact sensor, 1,2 or 4 contact sensors.

It all depends on if the car has, for the rear sensors and usually only applies to the E series cars, in the C class range

You have on sensor on each front caliper. The sensor wire goes into the inside brake pad, in the hole nearest the backing plate