Is the VW dealer right - brakes & sensors question

Dealer says I have 10% pad left - and I have to have the rotors replaced as well as the pads. I've never heard of this before: routinely replacing rotors. Is it because I've had mostly old american cars, or is the dealer full of it?

Also: my temp light randomly goes on and off. The dealer basically wanted to cut the sensor, saying it was flaking out and didn't matter anyway. I thought it provided data to the ecu for controlling the overall engine operation, making it important to have it working properly. (You may now understand why I'm not sure I trust them on the rotor question)

Reply to
Drew Dekreon
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Changing the rotors as a matter of routine is bogus. However, if the rotors are scored or warped or otherwise damaged, replacing them is often about as cost effective as turning them. How old are the current rotors and how many miles do you have on them? What year / model car is this?

There are several temperature sensors. Typically, the one for the temperature gauge only drives the gauge. There is a separate sensor for the ECU, and depending on year / model there might be a third for the cold start system. Some cars also have a sensor for the coolant /level/, could it be that this is the one your dealer says is flaky? Does your temp gauge behave properly, or is it jumping around (well, the needle, anyway, I guess the actual gauge isn't moving around)? If it is the coolant level sensor that is acting up, I probably wouldn't want to pay for any troubleshooting.

Reply to
Randolph

I suggest you do replace the rotors. They are really not made to handle two sets of pads. It's up to you, but for me the small additional cost is worth it.

Did I say small additional cost? Sure I did, but you are at the dealer paying for maintenance. I suggest you find a local INDEPENDENT mechanic. It is not that the dealers are no good, but they are expensive and you don't need to use them to keep your warrantee valid. A good independent mechanic is just as good and either are likely to be better than any chain mechanic.

Well most dealers have good mechanics. It seems you found one that does not. Fine a good local independent mechanic.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

If the rotors are still thick, and not warped keep them... My Golf got new rotors when I changed the first set of front pads, and the second set of rears due to warping... but we have a Volvo that just had its front rotors done with 160K Kms on them on the original non-warped rotors... the rears are still FINE!.... Car is on its 4th set of pads all around. VW technology isn't too different from Volvo technology (probably same supplier for over

2/3 of the components), do the rotors when they get thin or warped.
Reply to
Rob Guenther

What model and how many miles on the car? I did brakes on my 95 Passat VR6 at 85K and the rotors were so scored that I replaced them. They are not an expensive part. They have a minimum thickness and sometimes cannot be turned.

As far as cutting the temp sensor light...well, maybe you need to find a new mechanic.

Reply to
CSS

What model and how many miles on the car? I did brakes on my 95 Passat VR6 at 85K and the rotors were so scored that I replaced them. They are not an expensive part. They have a minimum thickness and sometimes cannot be turned.

As far as cutting the temp sensor light...well, maybe you need to find a new mechanic.

Reply to
CSS

If the rotors are near or below the min. thickness or damaged (not likely if you didn't wear the pads down to the rivets), yes they should be replaced. However I've arbitrarily followed my own self-imposed guideline of changing the rotors at every other pad change (if they're not damaged) and that has worked fine for me. YMMV of course.

Agreed. While the ECU temp. sensor and coolant gauge/idiot light sensor are usually separate sensors (so you don't have to worry about defeating one that affects both), that solution is a total hack and unaceptable, especially from a dealer. If the sensor is really going bad it's usually not very expensive and easy to replace.

Reply to
Matt B.

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