For the first time about a month or so into ownership I've gotten my first light on the dash illuminated. Check brakes. Backstory here is that I was wheeling up in the mountains of VA and drove a lot in the mud. It wasn't wading or anything, just in and out of mud ruts on winding switchbacks, with the odd deep er puddles. About an hour after getting back to normal roads the truck starts throwing the brake light on the dash, but chiming over and over, the light flickering, which led me to believe I probably just inundated the sensor and it needs cleaning or replacement (mud did get EVERYWHERE).

Anyone had this issue before? I'd love to be able to save it with a good cleaning but since the sensor harness is only $20 at atlantic british it isn't the end of the world. If the sensor can be saved OR I pop in a new one, do I need a dealer or diagnostic tool to clear the light?

 

Replacing the sensor also solves the light problem. The brake wear sensor circuit is probably one of the few where no computer is really involved. The sensor wears/breaks, closes a circuit, or maybe it is the other way around), and the light goes on.

Since you are new to the 3, you probably do not have Bodsy's Brake Bible per the link below.

http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4184

Look for and download the latest version, v1.6a.

As of when I last looked, there has near 10,500 views/downloads of this free 36 page pdf.

Bodsy keeps updating it as he tunes the pdf up; it answers all the brake questions and shows you how to replace everything brake related including the sensors plus the brake shoes and discs re the rear wheels.

 

Wonderful. Just downloaded it and will look to get this done in the next few days. Color photos to boot!

Thank you!

 

Yes, it is good and I figured that you will be getting lots of use from it.
Bodsy has been updating it continually over the years.

The section regarding the parking brake are particularly useful. The parking brake can be a real source of trouble and no one knows much about how it works, hence the section is very valuable.

Also before you do anything related to the rear brakes, read that parking brake section. If you ignore the set unset procedures, (a manual procedure is provided as well as the computer way), the rears will most likely start squealing within a few miles.

Thanks for the feedback - it is appreciated.

 

yes... The parking brake module was coincidentally the one thing that came broken on the vehicle so I'll be dealing with that at some point. Glad to have that info as well.