MR2 braking problems
Discussion
I am having some problems with my brakes (MkII model) and hope that someone can help me out.
I had a jammed caliper so replaced it with a new one and while I was at it I put on some grooved discs. It all works fine except the brake warning light on the dashboard refuses to go out. I didn't disconnect any wiring while changing the bits so am a bit stumped as to why this has happened. Any ideas?
While I'm at it - only had the MR2 for a few months and the brakes generally don't inspire as much confidence as I would like. My old BMW's were much better and I even had the misfortune to drive a Vauxhall Meriva
last week which seemed better braked. (It swerved uncontrollably all over the place under heavy braking though 
)I have ordered some EBC Green Stuff pads and hopefully this will make a difference. As I have only ever driven one other MR2 I don't know if this is normal for the car and I am expecting too much or if there is something wrong with my brakes.
All hints, tips and suggestions gratefully accepted.
T
I had a jammed caliper so replaced it with a new one and while I was at it I put on some grooved discs. It all works fine except the brake warning light on the dashboard refuses to go out. I didn't disconnect any wiring while changing the bits so am a bit stumped as to why this has happened. Any ideas?
While I'm at it - only had the MR2 for a few months and the brakes generally don't inspire as much confidence as I would like. My old BMW's were much better and I even had the misfortune to drive a Vauxhall Meriva
last week which seemed better braked. (It swerved uncontrollably all over the place under heavy braking though )I have ordered some EBC Green Stuff pads and hopefully this will make a difference. As I have only ever driven one other MR2 I don't know if this is normal for the car and I am expecting too much or if there is something wrong with my brakes. All hints, tips and suggestions gratefully accepted.
T
It's definitely the red brake warning light - not the ABS one.
I think that the "swerving all over the road" was caused by the high body and Tesco Jelly suspension of the Meriva. Who actually chooses to buy cars like this?
Thanks for the advice re the pads. I had EBC's on an old car and they made a huge difference. If they don't do the job on the MR2 then I will ditch them and order some Pagids.
I only changed one caliper as the other was fine and I didn't see the point in changing both. Was this a mistake?
I think that the "swerving all over the road" was caused by the high body and Tesco Jelly suspension of the Meriva. Who actually chooses to buy cars like this?
Thanks for the advice re the pads. I had EBC's on an old car and they made a huge difference. If they don't do the job on the MR2 then I will ditch them and order some Pagids.
I only changed one caliper as the other was fine and I didn't see the point in changing both. Was this a mistake?
Sorry, I think we were talking at cross purposes.
There was no cable for either a brake pad warning light or ABS sensor. I think that the ABS must be ok as the warning light hasn't come on. Does anyone know whether there should be an ABS sensor on each wheel and if so where does it attach (iirc they attach to the hub and "look" at the disc)
The brake pad wear indicator should (logically) attach to the pad and therefore probably stuck to the caliper somewhere too. However there was no such wire when I took it apart.
There was definitely a wire on the offside front wheel coming out of the bodywork near the brake pipe. I assumed this was ABS/wear indicator and, as I was only changing the disc on that side I ignored it and so didn't note where it ended up.
As pads should wear evenly on both sides of the car is it possible that there is only a pad wear indicator on one wheel?
There was no cable for either a brake pad warning light or ABS sensor. I think that the ABS must be ok as the warning light hasn't come on. Does anyone know whether there should be an ABS sensor on each wheel and if so where does it attach (iirc they attach to the hub and "look" at the disc)
The brake pad wear indicator should (logically) attach to the pad and therefore probably stuck to the caliper somewhere too. However there was no such wire when I took it apart.
There was definitely a wire on the offside front wheel coming out of the bodywork near the brake pipe. I assumed this was ABS/wear indicator and, as I was only changing the disc on that side I ignored it and so didn't note where it ended up.
As pads should wear evenly on both sides of the car is it possible that there is only a pad wear indicator on one wheel?
the t boy said:
It's definitely the red brake warning light - not the ABS one.
I think that the "swerving all over the road" was caused by the high body and Tesco Jelly suspension of the Meriva. Who actually chooses to buy cars like this?
Thanks for the advice re the pads. I had EBC's on an old car and they made a huge difference. If they don't do the job on the MR2 then I will ditch them and order some Pagids.
I only changed one caliper as the other was fine and I didn't see the point in changing both. Was this a mistake?
Dude, I have the same problem with that friggin' light! I just ignored it - The brakes themselves seem fine (plenty of wear left, fluid levels are OK), although as you said they don't always inspire the greatest amounts of confidence.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Thursday 8th April 14:50
THe brake warning light works by detecting the brake fluid level. If the pads are worn then under braking the calipers have to move a little more and thus more fluid is needed and so the reservoir goes down more and this is detected and the light comes on.
If the light is on constantly even when the reservoir is full it suggests a problem with the sensor.
If the light is on constantly even when the reservoir is full it suggests a problem with the sensor.
Thanks chim450.
The fluid was above the minimum line but I topped it up and the light has gone out. If I had checked the Owners Manual first I might have solved the problem a bit sooner as it is actually a "low brake fluid warning light". Ooops.
The EBC Green pads are now fitted and hopefully this will make a difference to the overall performance.
T
The fluid was above the minimum line but I topped it up and the light has gone out. If I had checked the Owners Manual first I might have solved the problem a bit sooner as it is actually a "low brake fluid warning light". Ooops.
The EBC Green pads are now fitted and hopefully this will make a difference to the overall performance.
T
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