Week for odd faults!!

[Timbo2]

Last week the brake wear indicator came on, no problem, a few days later I replaced the pads, they hadn't quite reached the wear indicators. Now the wear indicator sometimes comes on at start up, turn off and restart and it will usually go of and stay of until the next restart. Doesn't seem to be related to pressing the brake as before.
Then coming home tonight the key fob stopped working, changed the battery, no joy, it only flashes once. Luckily I have a spare and that works, any one any ideas how to fix either of these problems?
This is after my bump in the car park (see earlier post) Hope the old adage holds up!

 

[Robin M]

If you took longer than 30 seconds to change the battery in the key fob you will need to get the key reset at an OPC I think. Fairly sure it happened to me on my Porsche but just not 100% sure it wasn't a different car.

 

[Glyn]

As far as im aware there is no time limit to the battery change as coding information is held in non volatile memory, there is so much info with ideas on how to get the thing back to life.
I have had two fobs fail, none of the supposed fixes worked, fit battery the wrong way round for ten seconds, put key in ignition, turn to position 1 and press the transmit button, indeed i cant think of all the other recommendations - but not one had any effect- the solution - a new key fob and the dealer or indy with piwis needs to code to the car.

The brake pad wear indicators work by earthing of the wire that goes to the sensors, the sensor is just the end of the wire without the outer sheath and in its place a type of resin, the sensors simply push into a hole in the side of the pad, as the pads wear the disk cuts through the pad and resin of the sensor and the inner cable contacts the disk thus making an earth connection and illuminating the warning light.
If you have the warning light coming on and the pads are not worn to the sensors then you have an earth issue on one of the cables to one of the wheels, You can narrow the fault down by disconecting a wheel at a time and see if the random fault returns or get someone in the car with the ignition on whilst you wiggle the wires trying to recreate the fault

 

[Timbo2]

Thanks guys, update on both issues, the brake wear indicator seems to be off for the moment, the reason I don't think there is a grounding issue is that the simple act of turning the ignition off and then back on again sometimes clears the light.
This morning the fob would not lock the car even though the lights flashed on the fob, strangely it will still open the boot!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

The brake wear indicator will also come on if the loop goes open circuit - not just to ground - as a means of failsafe. Could simply be a loose connector or corroded plug/socket contacts.

If the key LED doesn't rapid flash, it is likely toast. They do that all too frequently for no apparent reason.

 

[Timbo2]

Richard, thanks for the reply, maybe all this incredibly wet weather has something to do with it! checking the connectors shouldn't be a problem. Does that mean though that you can't just disconnect them, not that I want to you understand.
Re the key, one fob very slow flash, doesn't work at all, other fob normal flash but will only open the boot. Bit odd both should do this on the same day, it's not something that could be fixed by disconnecting the battery in the car is it? (for at least one of the fobs)

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

That's correct, you can't simply disconnect them. Some people fit pads without wear sensors, so make up loops to complete the circuit. I would just go round each wheel, and check each connector for corroded pins and water ingress. You are right - the wet weather won't help!

If one button makes the LED flash, but the other doesn't, it is usually the actual button on the circuit board which has failed. There is a DIY repair on the 996 Technical Articles forum, but you won't be able to see it if you are not a Club member. Drop me an email, and I'll send you a pdf of the pages, later tomorrow when I get to my PC.

 

[Timbo2]

Richard,I'm not sure this is a button issue as they both flash normally,(on the one fob) but only the boot button actually does its thing, the other will not lock/unlock the car. I notice it doesn't cause the receiver to flash when pressed, but does when I press the boot button, does that make any sense? I'm prepared to reluctantly accept that the other one with the very slow flashes is US. Thanks again.

 

[Timbo2]

Break wear indicator sorted, took them off this weekend and tested with my trusty multi-meter, one was showing more resistance than the other. Thanks Richard. Now to try and sort the keys!