Brake Pad Life

bildo7090 · August 20, 2019

I've been having this issue since day 1. Bought my '19 AT4 back in September. At around 12k miles I was down to 25%-ish. While in for an oil change I pointed it out. Pads checked at basically brand new. The dealer contacted GM. GM told them that it happens from time to time, they don't know why, to just reset the ECBM and it should work itself out. Note: After resetting the ECBM I noticed that the pedal was significantly harder (i.e. like brand new again).

After a little bit, I noticed that the life was in a rapid decline again. This time I kept track. Next time at the dealer I pointed out again. This time I was told that GM is working on a fix but it is not yet available. I was likely told this based on the bulletin posted above. Since I was projected to hit 0% in about 2k miles and was pretty confident GM wasn't going to have a fix in this time, I asked them to reset the ECBM again since I didn't want to be looking at all kinds of warning lights telling me my brakes needed replacement. The dealers solution to this was to just disable the monitoring. (I could have done that).

My concern though is this: With the brake pedal being electronically controlled through the ECBM, is it taking pad life numbers to simulate pedal stiffness of a worn pad? I do notice my pedal feels like a 25% life remaining pedal again. What happens when it hits 0%. Just because it isn't displayed doesn't means there isn't anything being calculated/decided in the background.

scdaren · August 20, 2019

13 minutes ago, bildo7090 said:

I've been having this issue since day 1. Bought my '19 AT4 back in September. At around 12k miles I was down to 25%-ish. While in for an oil change I pointed it out. Pads checked at basically brand new. The dealer contacted GM. GM told them that it happens from time to time, they don't know why, to just reset the ECBM and it should work itself out. Note: After resetting the ECBM I noticed that the pedal was significantly harder (i.e. like brand new again).

After a little bit, I noticed that the life was in a rapid decline again. This time I kept track. Next time at the dealer I pointed out again. This time I was told that GM is working on a fix but it is not yet available. I was likely told this based on the bulletin posted above. Since I was projected to hit 0% in about 2k miles and was pretty confident GM wasn't going to have a fix in this time, I asked them to reset the ECBM again since I didn't want to be looking at all kinds of warning lights telling me my brakes needed replacement. The dealers solution to this was to just disable the monitoring. (I could have done that).

My concern though is this: With the brake pedal being electronically controlled through the ECBM, is it taking pad life numbers to simulate pedal stiffness of a worn pad? I do notice my pedal feels like a 25% life remaining pedal again. What happens when it hits 0%. Just because it isn't displayed doesn't means there isn't anything being calculated/decided in the background.

Mine dropped rapidly, then stopped dropping when it reached 14% at about 10k miles, never got any warning lights or anything. Been sitting at 14% for like the past 2000 miles.

Thejet07 · August 20, 2019

I've been having this issue since day 1. Bought my '19 AT4 back in September. At around 12k miles I was down to 25%-ish. While in for an oil change I pointed it out. Pads checked at basically brand new. The dealer contacted GM. GM told them that it happens from time to time, they don't know why, to just reset the ECBM and it should work itself out. Note: After resetting the ECBM I noticed that the pedal was significantly harder (i.e. like brand new again).

After a little bit, I noticed that the life was in a rapid decline again. This time I kept track. Next time at the dealer I pointed out again. This time I was told that GM is working on a fix but it is not yet available. I was likely told this based on the bulletin posted above. Since I was projected to hit 0% in about 2k miles and was pretty confident GM wasn't going to have a fix in this time, I asked them to reset the ECBM again since I didn't want to be looking at all kinds of warning lights telling me my brakes needed replacement. The dealers solution to this was to just disable the monitoring. (I could have done that).

My concern though is this: With the brake pedal being electronically controlled through the ECBM, is it taking pad life numbers to simulate pedal stiffness of a worn pad? I do notice my pedal feels like a 25% life remaining pedal again. What happens when it hits 0%. Just because it isn't displayed doesn't means there isn't anything being calculated/decided in the background.

So it’s too early to tell how quick mine will drop because I just had it reset. But just like you my pedal feels totally different after the reset. Stiffer, just like you said. Time will tell

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ct_corey · August 20, 2019

my brake system has had 3 updates since I got the truck 4 months ago. Every time they do an update the brakes feel very different.

Belo · August 20, 2019

36 minutes ago, ct_corey said:

my brake system has had 3 updates since I got the truck 4 months ago. Every time they do an update the brakes feel very different.

software or mechanical updates?

bildo7090 · August 20, 2019

Glad to hear that I'm not crazy about the pedal feel.

I just got off the phone with the dealership a little while ago (their service manager this time since they didn't like the survey I filled out ). My truck has to go back because while replacing the USB C port, they forgot to reconnect the duct leading to one of the vents and now doesn't blow air (2nd time they've done this, 1st time is when they replaced the infotainment unit).

I complained a little bit about their solution of just disabling the feature. I explained about the pedal feel difference. He wasn't too sure about how it worked but he said they'd reset it for me. Not sure if I like how quickly he agreed. Just seemed to want to make me happy. I would rather understand the system and it's potential failures then them just blindly reset it again. I'm all about technology advancements but software getting in the way of a safety feature is a little scary to me.

Maverick0984 · August 21, 2019

I got my truck back today and they updated the brake system per the TSB mentioned earlier in this thread. Obviously not long enough to make any decisions yet.

Tischmic · September 3, 2019

How do you reset this light? Does anyone know? I’ve tried to reset it but doesn’t allow me. I had the fix done to mine but they never reset it.

lebag335 · September 3, 2019

9 hours ago, Tischmic said:

How do you reset this light? Does anyone know? I’ve tried to reset it but doesn’t allow me. I had the fix done to mine but they never reset it.

Dealer has to reset it.

fatwhiteboy · September 3, 2019

As of today there is no software update for the brake wear showing on the display. The dealers can only reset it (back to 100%). The software monitors your driving habits and estimates the wear on the pads (useless in my opinion). We still have the old fashion squeal wear indicators on the brakes that work. I am not happy that they have not issued a patch if nothing else to let the owner reset the brake wear similar to resetting the air cleaner percentage. I like everything to work properly.

Maverick0984 · September 3, 2019

As of today there is no software update for the brake wear showing on the display. The dealers can only reset it (back to 100%). The software monitors your driving habits and estimates the wear on the pads (useless in my opinion). We still have the old fashion squeal wear indicators on the brakes that work. I am not happy that they have not issued a patch if nothing else to let the owner reset the brake wear similar to resetting the air cleaner percentage. I like everything to work properly.

Are you sure about not being able to reset? I haven't attempted it yet but it looks like I can on my AT4 unless it blocks it at the end.

lebag335 · September 3, 2019

1 hour ago, fatwhiteboy said:

As of today there is no software update for the brake wear showing on the display. The dealers can only reset it (back to 100%). The software monitors your driving habits and estimates the wear on the pads (useless in my opinion). We still have the old fashion squeal wear indicators on the brakes that work. I am not happy that they have not issued a patch if nothing else to let the owner reset the brake wear similar to resetting the air cleaner percentage. I like everything to work properly.

Actually, there's a new software patch that GM has released to correct this issue. The TSB number is listed farther up in this thread (PIT....?). I had it performed on my truck last week. Only time will tell if it actually works.

scdaren · September 3, 2019

9 minutes ago, lebag335 said:

Actually, there's a new software patch that GM has released to correct this issue. The TSB number is listed farther up in this thread (PIT....?). I had it performed on my truck last week. Only time will tell if it actually works.

I was just looking for that, couldn't find it. Just saw the TSB that says they are working on the issue. Does anyone have it they can repost? I have an appt. at the dealer tomorrow for this and want to give them guidance if possible.

Rocz3cqg · September 3, 2019

PIT5695A

fatwhiteboy · September 3, 2019

37 minutes ago, Rocz3cqg said:

PIT5695A

Thank you, it says that was released August 7, 2019. I was just in my dealer Friday picking up some parts and they told me nothing available yet. I will be going back soon to see what else they missed.

https://www.repairprocedures.com/bulletins/document/pit5695a/5392349.html