4-Wheel Brake Sensors - Easy or a Silly Idea? - Page 2

T-Cut · 2nd April 2009, 10:50

Fidel, thanks for confirming my thoughts. This would make an interesting project for anyone interested in improving the system. I suspect there's nothing involved beyond tapping another sensor circuit into the front and rear sections of the loop as you show above. People who don't like or can't be bothered with these sensors simply short out the wiring to eliminate the warning, so I doubt the circuit has to be balanced in any way. Next time somebody criticises the 2 sensor system, I'll point them to this thread.

My search term for this topic is ' 4BS '

drewbie · 2nd April 2009, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lates

Unless the car has problems, I have yet to see a ZT/75 with pad wear that far out for example it ruins discs. Regualr routine maintenance is the way to go imo.

I totally agree, anyone who relies on these sensors should look at fitting 8 of them!

Solder the wires together and tuck them out the way!

T-Cut · 2nd April 2009, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewbie

I totally agree, anyone who relies on these sensors should look at fitting 8 of them!

I think eight would be beyond the 'simple' job of adding just the two described. The reason is the standard brake pads already have sensor slots on each inboard one, but a plain backing plate on the outboard ones. See image below:

workaholic_ro · 2nd April 2009, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewbie

I totally agree, anyone who relies on these sensors should look at fitting 8 of them!

Solder the wires together and tuck them out the way!

I ALWAYS rely on them and never had a problem. They are designed to show a worn out pad in case of failure (false alarm) but never the opposite. Two for a decent solution, four for a better one, eight is a joke.
But to balance this confidence I don't trust the temp gauge and I attached this to my engine:

I stop the car every two kilometres to read it.
You see, there are schools and schools as well as in art.

T-Cut · 2nd April 2009, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by workaholic_ro

But to balance this confidence I don't trust the temp gauge and I attached this to my engine:

I'd say it was running a little on the cool side. Is it a diesel? (one cylinder or two?)

Departed · 2nd April 2009, 18:18

I think, but I'm not sure the circuit is different than you suggest.

There is indeed a wire inside the sensor. It's a loop, therefore normally closed. If the wire breaks, or the connector comes off, the instrument pack sees open circuit instead of closed, and puts on the light. You can check this by unplugging a sensor.

I'm not sure whether the sensor works by wearing through the wire and opening the circuit, or just by earthing out through the disc when it starts to touch.

So you could add a second sensor but it would be in series, not paralell as the drawing suggests. So you would take the two wires in the existing plug, leave one as is and put the other in a new plug, then link the spare pin in the two connectors together. Polarity wouldn't matter.

If anyone wants to try, I might have a couple of spare plugs.

workaholic_ro · 2nd April 2009, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowedb

So you could add a second sensor but it would be in series, not paralell as the drawing suggests.

The drawing shows a SERIES connection, NOT parallel, please check again.

Departed · 2nd April 2009, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by workaholic_ro

The drawing shows a SERIES connection, NOT parallel, please check again.

Sorry, your'e right. My misreading.

workaholic_ro · 2nd April 2009, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowedb

Sorry, your'e right. My misreading.

It's ok. Sorry for shouting.

2nd April 2009, 10:50	#11
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,754 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	Fidel, thanks for confirming my thoughts. This would make an interesting project for anyone interested in improving the system. I suspect there's nothing involved beyond tapping another sensor circuit into the front and rear sections of the loop as you show above. People who don't like or can't be bothered with these sensors simply short out the wiring to eliminate the warning, so I doubt the circuit has to be balanced in any way. Next time somebody criticises the 2 sensor system, I'll point them to this thread. My search term for this topic is ' 4BS ' Last edited by T-Cut; 2nd April 2009 at 10:54..

2nd April 2009, 18:18	#16
Departed Retired -- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: -- Posts: 3,785 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I think, but I'm not sure the circuit is different than you suggest. There is indeed a wire inside the sensor. It's a loop, therefore normally closed. If the wire breaks, or the connector comes off, the instrument pack sees open circuit instead of closed, and puts on the light. You can check this by unplugging a sensor. I'm not sure whether the sensor works by wearing through the wire and opening the circuit, or just by earthing out through the disc when it starts to touch. So you could add a second sensor but it would be in series, not paralell as the drawing suggests. So you would take the two wires in the existing plug, leave one as is and put the other in a new plug, then link the spare pin in the two connectors together. Polarity wouldn't matter. If anyone wants to try, I might have a couple of spare plugs.