One of the most common problems drivers experience is a broken brake pedal. This can be caused by a number of factors, but one of the most common is a failed brake pedal position sensor. If you don’t know how to reset your brake pedal position sensor, here’s a guide to help you out. Resetting your brake pedal position sensor can make your car stop much more quickly and safely. Follow these instructions to do it yourself in just minutes.
What is a brake pedal position sensor?
A brake pedal position sensor is a sensor located on the pedal assembly that measures the distance between the brake pedal and the floor. This information is used to determine when the brakes are applied. When the brakes are applied, they force a movement of the caliper pistons up against the pad stack, which in turn results in a change in air pressure against the brake pads. The sensor detects this air pressure and sends a signal to the ABS system indicating that braking has occurred.
How do I reset the brake pedal position sensor?
If your brake pedal position sensor (BPP) is acting erratically, you can reset it using the following steps:
1. Disable the vehicle’s electrical system by turning off all of the switches and removing the key from the ignition.
2. Disconnect the BPP connector by unscrewing it from its mount on either side of the motor box.
3. Remove the BPP unit from its mounting bracket and clean any old adhesive residue or debris off of its surface.
4. Apply a new layer of adhesive to the back of the BPP unit and attach it to its mounting bracket.
5. Reconnect all of the electrical wiring to the BPP unit and secure them with wire connectors.
6. Reinstall the key into the ignition and start your vehicle.
Why would I need to reset the brake pedal position sensor?
brake pedal position sensor is responsible for detecting when the brakes are applied and sending a signal to the braking system. If the sensor becomes defective, the brake pedal may not work as expected. A simple way to check if your brake pedal position sensor is malfunctioning is to reset it. Here’s how:
1. Park your car in a safe location and turn off both engines.
2. Remove the cover over the brake pedal assembly on passenger side front axle (usually just pops off).
3. Locate and remove the small black plastic base that sits under the brake pedal assembly (see picture).
4. Position the black plastic base so that it rests against one of two metal plates that sit beneath it (see picture).
5. Push down on both sides of the metal plate until it snaps into place (see picture).
6. Replace the black plastic base, replace cover over brake pedal assembly, and reattach wheel lugs/bolts
7. Turn on both engines and test for proper operation of brakes – should feel moderately firm when pressed
How do I replace the brake pedal position sensor?
The brake pedal position sensor is a device that senses the distance and pressure at which the brake pedal is pressed. When this sensor malfunctions, it can cause the car to stop in unexpected ways, such as when you are braking hard for a stop sign. If your car has a manual transmission, you will also need to replace the sensor’s gearbox gear. The procedure for replacing either one of these sensors is described below:
If your car has a manual transmission, you will first need to remove the gearbox housing. On most models, this involves removing two screws on each side of the gearbox cover. Once these screws are out, pry up the cover slightly and unhook the cable attached to the gearbox sensor. On some models, you may have to remove additional screws in order to get at the sensor. Be sure to note which screw(s) were used to attach the housing and sensor before losing them!
Once the gearbox housing is off, you will be able to see the brake pedal position sensor attached by a wire to one of its mounting posts. Unplug this wire and remove the sensor from its post. Note that there may be some plastic retainers on either side of the post; if so, be sure to remove them before reattaching the sensor.
Next, replace the sensor by simply reinserting it into its mounting post and plugging in its wire. Reconnect any cables that were removed earlier, and then rein