Brake Pad Life System not updating after front NEW brakes, rotor and sensor

[Ranger473]

2020 GMC 3500HD SLT L5P SRW

I replaced the front rotors, brake pads, and brake pad life sensor (GM Part # 84702752) on my truck but the Brake Pad Life information screen is not updating.  The owner's manual says it should sense the new sensor and brake pads and give me the option to reset to 100% but both front and rear brakes are greyed out and not responsive when I try and select one or the other.

 

I have driven the truck around 40 miles with multiple starts and stops, including turning the truck off then back on thinking perhaps it takes time and cycles to update but there is no change.

 

I pulled the tire and pads back off and verified the new sensor is installed correctly, I think.  It seems like there is only one way to install it on the pad.  I  installed R1 Concepts OPTIMUM OE Brake Pads from Rock Auto.  They seem to be a perfect match to the ones I removed (I have no idea if the old pads are OE).

 

However, the pad on the sensor that (should) contact the rotor is about .25" from actually touching the rotor. - Like the pads are thicker than what the sensor is designed for.  Does anyone have any thoughts??  I assume that when the brakes wear down to around 60 or 70% the sensor will finally contact the rotor and the system will start working...

[kylant]

i know the end user cannot reset the monitor, even though it appears we can. dealer only. 
why the readings are greyed out...??

[gemarsh]

5 hours ago, kylant said:

i know the end user cannot reset the monitor, even though it appears we can. dealer only. 
why the readings are greyed out...??

Dealer only, unless a person buys a scanner that has the capabilities. Paid less than 4 bills for a Launch. 

 

[bowtie2007]

I went through the same thing. I finally bought the GM specific X431 Launch bi-directional scan tool. It is currently on Amazon for $180 with a $40 off coupon bringing it down to $140. With that tool, I was able to reset my brake pad life. I would rather pay that and have a new toy than pay the dealer to do it.

[mrjulian416]

On 10/12/2023 at 6:04 PM, bowtie2007 said:

I went through the same thing. I finally bought the GM specific X431 Launch bi-directional scan tool. It is currently on Amazon for $180 with a $40 off coupon bringing it down to $140. With that tool, I was able to reset my brake pad life. I would rather pay that and have a new toy than pay the dealer to do it.

 

Bowtie, can you share which specific model you bought?  There are a ton of Launch readers on Amazon, but I don't see any X431 in that price range.

 

The link gemarsh provided above seems to be broken.

[tonto340]

This may be the one Bowtie was referring to:

https://www.amazon.com/LAUNCH-X431-Elite-2-0-fit/dp/B0CRT4GJMX/ref=sr_1_10?crid=1J29CDUTXLEG3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UVq5HAn5fc5LV7BEXV8v5hz9TTQSdNnuPWez43A9ApDMplaM5NN-5xacI0-YEfSEwQa9mE2r9HQ00SfPthhaSeOP8CpmLZuCc1AoOJBhrVKR0eXtNO7lGaWjYuDUycnVGVa-tBSNZnem1uZLWmpqZbq-Ft009snGT7OUZutMEf1lB3_X5-BNxyz97kbG7FsrZc6kdul8SWJWZ7Xw3ym30CdngEWH377ArIP3-qZd1J5jw5GUU5zPGeb4yGTatcCO-lMeJbl1cexherpKn_LoYQORgHPK6rDq5AwJ2CL9Txs.Z5_fq4iPwU50oJYWccbr4fNe8pf2pKf72d4JSeRCxKc&dib_tag=se&keywords=x431+launch+scan+tool&qid=1724934983&sprefix=x431%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-10

[mrjulian416]

Ahh, thank you.  These Launch readers.. I swear they have 900+ different models.  Here's another one I found, portrait instead of landscape... $129 (with 'coupon') instead of $189

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XV8VR35?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

[mrjulian416]

I am happy to report that the Launch reader in my link just above was able to reset the brake pad wear indicator.  It also has the capability to change the TPMS target pressure and adjust the tire size if needed.

 

Of course it is a full code reader, able to access all modules/codes, perform ABS bleed, etc. etc.

 

 

[Jimmy in NC]

Awesome info.