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YOUR RESEARCHBrake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Reported or suspected cause
brittle wire casing
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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1
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Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Frequently discussed work
Check dashboard warning
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion · Original poster
It was a mistake on my part not to check the dashboard warning after doing the left side; that way, I would have known whether it was the left or right side.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Read full discussion summary
Leading evidence: 'brittle wire casing' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'brittle wire casing' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check dashboard warning' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Since you can't tell which brake pads are involved on a Boxster 986 (and it can't be diagnosed via Durametric either), I removed all the wheels today and visually inspected the pads.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Replace pads/rotors multiple times, i've always been able
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
One vehicle in my stable is 15yrs old and though I've replaced pads/rotors multiple times, I've always been able to reuse sensors.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
latter
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
As to why your dash light came on, I would hypothesize that one (or more) of the connectors where the sensor plugs into the wiring harness was either loose or slightly corroded - most likely the latter.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
left or right side
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause · Original poster
It was a mistake on my part not to check the dashboard warning after doing the left side; that way, I would have known whether it was the left or right side.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Frequently discussed actions (5)
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Check dashboard warning
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
It was a mistake on my part not to check the dashboard warning after doing the left side; that way, I would have known whether it was the left or right side.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Disconnect plug at each brake pad
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
To be safe, I also disconnected the plug at each brake pad to measure the resistance; a short circuit in one of the plugs could potentially trigger a false warning.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Inspect pads
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Since you can't tell which brake pads are involved on a Boxster 986 (and it can't be diagnosed via Durametric either), I removed all the wheels today and visually inspected the pads.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
latter
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
As to why your dash light came on, I would hypothesize that one (or more) of the connectors where the sensor plugs into the wiring harness was either loose or slightly corroded - most likely the latter.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
left or right side
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause · Original poster
It was a mistake on my part not to check the dashboard warning after doing the left side; that way, I would have known whether it was the left or right side.
Brake wear indicator light... brake pads not worn out ?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Coverage and how to read this overview
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
7 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
986Forum: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T075545Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Last week, the brake wear indicator light came on on the dashboard
Since you can't tell which brake pads are involved on a Boxster 986 (and it can't be diagnosed via Durametric either), I removed all the wheels today and visually inspected the pads. Just as I expected (I don't drive many miles a year), none of the pads were worn down to the wear indicator; in fact, all the pads still have at least 3 to 4 mm of material left before reaching the indicator
To be safe, I also disconnected the plug at each brake pad to measure the resistance; a short circuit in one of the plugs could potentially trigger a false warning. Below are 3 photos of the "operation".
Questions:
1. The resistance value shown on the multimeter (for all 4 brakes) is identical to that of a new wear indicator (which I had already ordered). Does this mean there is nothing wrong with my wear indicators?
2. What, then, could be the cause?
3. Is it true that the dashboard light only comes on when there is a "closed circuit"? In other words, when the wear indicator makes contact with ground/the brake disc?
But now for question 4:
4. After reinstalling all the old pads and indicators... the dashboard warning has disappeared (for now)... :? Anyone have an explanation?
I’ll do my best.
The wear sensors are actually loops of wire, and so are close to being a short circuit (the 0.3 ohm reading that you see may well be intentional, to limit current thru that circuit). When the pad wears to the sensor, the rotor will cut it, and the resistance will increase. I believe that all four corners are wired in series, so all that the system can tell you is that one of the eight pads has worn to that point. What level of increased resistance is required to trigger that warning? No idea.
As to why your dash light came on, I would hypothesize that one (or more) of the connectors where the sensor plugs into the wiring harness was either loose or slightly corroded - most likely the latter. By disconnecting and reconnecting all of them, you cleaned up the connection, and the false positive has cleared itself.
Regards,
TC
I agree this is possible. Yes these aren't actually sensors, its a very basic wire that gets severed. The fun part is when it gets cut and rubs against the rotor so the car still doesn't think they are worn.
Other answer is that age old crummy German wiring. We don't get those good ol Japanese rubbers and plastics :P
I removed and reinstalled the front components (pads + wear sensor), but the error persisted, so the front doesn't seem to be the cause. I then did the same for the rear, and the error message disappeared. So, the issue was at the rear. It was a mistake on my part not to check the dashboard warning after doing the left side; that way, I would have known whether it was the left or right side. Oh well, I'll see how it goes from here. A possible internal short in one of the sensor cables or corrosion creating a closed circuit, triggering the warning is indeed possible. Aging cables could be a factor. In any case, I already have four new sensor cables ready to install if the warning returns and the pads aren't actually worn out.
most likely issue is brittle wire casing... One vehicle in my stable is 15yrs old and though I've replaced pads/rotors multiple times, I've always been able to reuse sensors. Kind of a sport - LOL.
Anyhow, one sensor finally gave up the ghost and instead of plopping down the $5 per corner, I simply shorted out the loops and heat shrank remaining tail. Light off and all is good w the world again.
You seem well versed mechanically and truly all you need to do is twist the bare conductors together, seal up, and done. Caveat emptor but keep an eye on pad wear as you already do. Bring back the good old brake pad wear indicator noise makers (IYKYK
).
As our cars are aging, I now make a point of spraying every connector I come across with some cleaner and put some dielectric grease on it.
I also light a votive candle!
Gotta cover your bases,
When on a previous occasion the pads were worn down to the indicator the indicator was ruined and required replacement with a new one.
Pad contact with the sensor simply creates ground. You could observe if you've got an unusual ground.
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