Hi

I have a question.... had the brake warning light up on the dash this weekend, so took car in for check over and probable replacement brake pads etc.

My Octavia has done nearly 70K miles, so was expecting to have pads & discs changed on all 4 corners.

Having had the work done, the warning light is still illuminated on the dash.

The brake pads fitted had the following p/no.s, not sure which is front or rear:

GDB 1196 & GDB 1386 - I believe that they were Ferrodo parts and the front ones have the warning wire fitted....

How do I get the light to to out? The guy in the garage (not a Skoda place) said that the ECU needs to be reset via a code. Is that correct, is this something I can do myself?

Your advise greatly appreciated....

Biggee

Only 1 pad carries the sensor, if I remember correctly it is on the passenger side. You will probably find that it hasn't been plugged in. I have known the plug retainer to break but a couple of cable ties are enough to keep it plugged together and the light should go out. If pads without a sensor have been fitted then the only way to get the light out is to re-code the dash panel.

I have pads with no sensor.

I just cut the sensor connector off the old pads, joined the wires and plugged it in. my car thinks all is good. nice trick.

only other way is to recode the dash warning lights with a vag com.

or you could put a piece of wire to connect the two pins, taped in.

yes it is the passenger side front.

where you located ?

I'd go with the "disable the sensor" idea as per Mr Luton above. I've had previous cars with wear sensors that didn't, so IMO they just give a false sense of security.

When I changed my front pads recently (well a few months back) I found it virtually impossible to part the plug from the socket. I ended up snapping the plastic on the pad side in order to get the two apart.... it might be the garage who changed the pads did this but made a mess of it, and therefore just cut off the sensor cable from the pad....

However on my car I had managed to wear right though the sensor cable before I changed the pads (I think I got value for money out of them!! - but not as good as my gf who got hers down to the pad backing and had not realised! )

Hi to all

I called the main dealer who confirmed that the ECU did not need resetting.

They suggested that the cause for the warning light might be:

a) A sticking brake cylinder float switch - will check that out tonight

A suspect indicator socket - following removal & refit of old/new pads, a possibility m'thinks.

I have checked the sensor, albeit manually - took it out and rocked (hard) the float up and down - no change to the warning light.

1) So I will put a meter across the float to see if its the switch.

2) Then recheck the socket end at the pad for damage/incorrect seating etc

3) Finally, short out the socket and see if the light goes out.

Mluton - I'm in Kings Lynn........

It sounds like option 3.......

I'll let you know how I get on.

Again thanks for the advice - much appreciated :handshke:

Biggee

Well - the brake warning problem is fixed - Thanks to all who offered fixes, work arounds etc.

After checking the switch in the brake level sensor - s'OK, I took the n/s wheel off and checked the pad sensor connector, to find that the NUMPTY mechanic who fitted the brakes had knackered the plug/socket lock.

So, after a quick check and the application of some self amalgamating tape, all is OK again!

Lessons learned - the Skoda doesn't have an ECU memory for brakes - as told by the tyre mech. Also advice and help, by the ton, is available at this forum.

I took the n/s wheel off and checked the pad sensor connector, to find that the NUMPTY mechanic who fitted the brakes had knackered the plug/socket lock.

Nice you found the fault.... same the socket is knackered though :thumbdwn: As I say I had to break the plastic on mine before I could get the old plug out....

Glad you got it sorted