I’ve found lots of info on the dreaded “Brakes Worn” message. I’ve been getting it quite often in my car but I know the brake pads are not bad, so I’m dealing with a bad sensor. I’ve found lots of info on why and that you should just replace the sensor. What I’m not finding is any “how-tos” or videos on how to replace. Do the brake pads have to come out for this? Or is it a simple install? I’d rather do this myself but not sure what this all entails. Anyone help?

 

I went to 'good-ole' google and searched information for the C7, 'Brakes Worn' indication. It looks like this is a problem with the 2016-2017 Corvette.

There is a Service Bulletin that covers this condition.

Service Bulletin:

#17267: Service Update – Brake Wear Indicator Not Functioning Properly



Condition – Certain 2016-2017 model year Chevrolet Corvettes vehicles equipped with a performance suspension system (RPO FE6) and ceramic brake rotors (RPO J57), may have a brake ware indicator system that does not function properly.

Correction – Dealers are to reprogram the electronic brake control module.



My suggestion is to have a local dealer inspect your vehicle service records to see if it has received service per this Bulletin #17267 before looking deeper into a mechanical failure of the sensor or the brake system.

Please let us know the outcome..

 

The worn brake message can happen due to a problem with the sensor wearing prematurely because it wasn't fastened to the brake pad properly, the wire breaking or an issue with the connector that attaches the sensor to car harness. The sensors for all 4 wheels are wired in serial fashion and it only takes one of them being cut in two to cause the message. The sensor is mounted to the inside brake pad and the wiring for the sensor can be seen on the inside of the brake caliper. The wiring runs back to a connector mounted on the cradle. The hard part is loosening all of the tape that holds the connector to the cradle and other harnesses in that area so you can disconnect the connector and install the new sensor wire.

Since you don't know which wheel is causing the message I recommend getting the car in the air and removing all 4 wheels and inspecting each of the inside brake pads and the sensors attached to each of them for a worn pad or a prematurely worn sensor. The sensor is just a phenolic pill with a wire passing through it. When the pad gets thin enough the pill starts wearing and as pad wear increases the wire is worn through thus breaking the electrical circuit.



While you have the wheels off make sure you trace the path of the wiring back to the connector on the cradle and make sure the wire hasn't been damaged. If the problem is due to the wire being damaged where it runs from the caliper to the connector you can just cut the harness open and splice the wire. Connector issues might be resolved by disconnecting the connector and using spray Electrical Contact cleaner on both sides of the connector to make sure any dirt and corrosion is cleaned off and maybe improving the connectivity of the circuit.

If the pill is worn through or you can't fix a connector issue then order replacement sensors from GM. I believe the front sensor part number is 84649599 and the rear sensor part number is 84630373. This is what 84649599 looks like:



Bill

 

Thanks for the info on the brake pad sensor. Saved this for future reference.