VCDS to diagnose Brake Pad/Sensor

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Hey guys,

I got the dressed brake pad warning today. Pads and rotors are less than one year/10k miles. I’d bet a sensor wire is lose or damage.

Will a VCDS scan tell me which corner to investigate? It’s cold where I live now and my garage floor is a salty mess. I’d prefer to keep my prissy hands warm if possible….

Thoughts appreciated.


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[TexasDfwS4]

The sensor is only on one wheel so my guess is no. But a close look might help.

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Thanks TexasDFW.

I pulled a full VCDS on the car this evening. It shows (6) Brake Malfunctions. (5) related to low tire pressure as I had recently swapped summer to winter wheels and tires and then temps dropped. Boyles law being what it is, I had to add a couple pounds and re-set everything. All good there now, but VCDS doesn't forget until you tell it to.

As to the brake sensor, VCDS does not show which wheel sensor is impacted. So, I went "old school", grabbed a small o-ight and checked manually. My specific Audi (2018 A6) should have two sensors (driver's front an passenger's rear). I think our Q has all four corners, but I don't recall at the moment and, the Hondas are a different animal.

All that said, (1) my rotors and pads look great; (2) it looks like my right rear sensor is simply gone. I don't know if it was cut, or pulled out of the socket (perhaps by ice or road debris - shit happens). I'll yank the wheel over the next few days and see what's what. I might have an extra sensor in the spare parts box, as I recall accidentally ordering pads (which typically include sensors) and - separately - sensors for one of the cars over the past year or so, and I'm not one to toss potentially useful, current equipment like a sensor wire that can be used on two of the cars in our "fleet". Assuming I have the right sensor, I'll connect it and zip tie it to the support, keeping if free from likely damage and check my brakes manually (during winter to summer wheel swap and summer to winter wheel swap as I've done for years). I don't like sensors on my cars specifically, but for others in my household, they serve as a good indicator given I don't interrogate them as often as they one I daily.

If I need a new sensor, I'd be out $10 and 45 min labor ( empty garage, grab jack, stands and wheel support, raise car, remove wheel, remove old sensor connection, add new wire, reconnect, replace wheel, drop car, torque bolts, test drive, replace tools, sweep garage, etc.....).

TOTALLY MINIMAL EFFORT!

[sepheroth86]

I had a similar issue. Pads are good. Swapped in new sensors, no luck. I believe it is a broken wire somewhere on the chassis.

It is cold here in Michigan and I haven't had time to really dig into it. So I turned the brake pad warning system off using VCDS.

[Valpo A7]

Cant speak for your S6 but on my A7 there is only 1 sensor on the front left and 1 sensor on the back left. No sensors on the right side.

I think I have 3 spare sensor wires at this point but no plans to be up near Chiraq for a while. Might be in Franklin Park on Thursday or Friday.

[Yeoman]

Brake pad sensors were the first thing I disabled when I got my S6.. takes 2 seconds to inspect the pad for thickness, and it's two less sensors that are bound to fail at some point.. not to mention saving time on pad replacement.

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Brake pad sensors were the first thing I disabled when I got my S6.. takes 2 seconds to inspect the pad for thickness, and it's two less sensors that are bound to fail at some point.. not to mention saving time on pad replacement.

Dot know I could disable the the sensors! I’ll investigate!!


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[Yeoman]

Dot know I could disable the the sensors! I’ll investigate!!


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You can solder the wires together to get rid of the warning or disable it using VCDS.

[Audisthesia]

You can solder the wires together to get rid of the warning or disable it using VCDS.

Yuuuuuuup

[sepheroth86]

I said that in post #4.... nobody reads my shit, I swear! lol

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

I said that in post #4.... nobody reads my shit, I swear! lol

THANK YOU!

This would have been the BEST solution indeed!


However, I was sick of the damned light, didn’t have a solder gun here at home, so I connected an extra sensor wire that was sitting in a parts box. I secured it with TWO zip ties, and put my wheel back on the car. By the way, the 2018 A6 sensors are both on driver side: I had confused with my last BMW.

All the said, when I put summer tires back on, I’m going to (1) solder and (2) use heat shrink wrap to make a permanent fix. I used to simply rely on zip ties on two of my BMWs (both tracked) and never had an issue, but I’ll get fancy with the Audi!

You guys are awesome!!!


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[JWebb_C7_Comp]

THANK YOU!

This would have been the BEST solution indeed!


However, I was sick of the damned light, didn’t have a solder gun here at home, so I connected an extra sensor wire that was sitting in a parts box. I secured it with TWO zip ties, and put my wheel back on the car. By the way, the 2018 A6 sensors are both on driver side: I had confused with my last BMW.

All the said, when I put summer tires back on, I’m going to (1) solder and (2) use heat shrink wrap to make a permanent fix. I used to simply rely on zip ties on two of my BMWs (both tracked) and never had an issue, but I’ll get fancy with the Audi!

You guys are awesome!!!


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PS. Still looking for sensor deactivation in VCDS. If I find it, I’ll post steps!!


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[sepheroth86]

PS. Still looking for sensor deactivation in VCDS. If I find it, I’ll post steps!!


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https://forums.ross-tech.com/index.php?threads/22141/

This is what I believe that I followed. Worked great.

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

https://forums.ross-tech.com/index.php?threads/22141/

This is what I believe that I followed. Worked great.

I'll try it this weekend or next! I think sensors are really good for some folks, but I happen to get a good look at my brakes a few times a year and they're more a nuance than valuable for me, in my case with my minimal usage and maintenance practices......

[Audisthesia]

It’s simple VCDS trick used for many things, if you want it disabled, you find where it says the item is installed and uncheck the box.

[THCarpenter]

You can solder the wires together to get rid of the warning or disable it using VCDS.


Yuuuuuuup


THANK YOU!

This would have been the BEST solution indeed!


However, I was sick of the damned light, didn’t have a solder gun here at home, so I connected an extra sensor wire that was sitting in a parts box. I secured it with TWO zip ties, and put my wheel back on the car. By the way, the 2018 A6 sensors are both on driver side: I had confused with my last BMW.

All the said, when I put summer tires back on, I’m going to (1) solder and (2) use heat shrink wrap to make a permanent fix. I used to simply rely on zip ties on two of my BMWs (both tracked) and never had an issue, but I’ll get fancy with the Audi!

You guys are awesome!!!


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PS. Still looking for sensor deactivation in VCDS. If I find it, I’ll post steps!!


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https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/front-brake-pad-wear-sensor-bypass-priced-each/002595ecs04a/

just saying easy drop in option without soldering in something to have it work again later if needed