Brake Sensor Noise with Plenty of Life Left on Pads

[BlancoSilverado]

I was on a long trip a few weeks ago and noticed that my front left brakes started squeaking all the time (on or off the brake). With 99k miles on it i assumed that its probably due for new pads and rotors.

Pulled the pads and noticed plenty of life left on the pads prior to the squealers. The sensor is only on the front left of my truck and the sensor is the one that is rubbing on the rotor. I ended up pulling the sensor out and zip-tie it out of the way, drove it around and verified that the senor was the issue for the noise. Does any one know how i can put the sensor back and not have it make noise? 

[Mario C]

Did your dash info show that the sensor was bad. Also was the noise constant. I have that noise but not always. Hard to pin point. 

[BlancoSilverado]

Dash (after update in ~2020) says 55%, noise was pretty consistent so i thought it may be the squealer. 

[Mario C]

So last year had a notice on my dash that I needed to replace rear  pads. They were at 42 %. Now my front pads are at 35 % and no notice on my dash. But it’s squells but not all the time. I am assuming I need pads. Going to unhook the sensor and see. 

[BlancoSilverado]

10 minutes ago, Mario C said:

So last year had a notice on my dash that I needed to replace rear  pads. They were at 42 %. Now my front pads are at 35 % and no notice on my dash. But it’s squells but not all the time. I am assuming I need pads. Going to unhook the sensor and see. 

Don't unhook the sensor, you will get a error on the dash and your max MPH will be 62mph(ask me how i know). Its not a CEL but a different one that you need a good scan tool to clear after you re-hook the sensor back in.

[Mario C]

So what did you do. Just zip tied it. 

[BlancoSilverado]

23 minutes ago, Mario C said:

So what did you do. Just zip tied it. 

So far yes, its annoying hearing it squeak all the time with that much pad left. If i was low on life, i would order the pads/rotor.

 

On here looking to see if anyone has a known fix for this issue or if i am 1 out of a million having this squeaking issue.

[typhoon186]

getting that squel on my front left now.  2023 denali 45,000.  60 percent life left

[johnnyquick]

On 4/15/2025 at 2:34 PM, BlancoSilverado said:

Don't unhook the sensor, you will get a error on the dash and your max MPH will be 62mph(ask me how i know). Its not a CEL but a different one that you need a good scan tool to clear after you re-hook the sensor back in.

Mine never threw a code, it just does not register brake pad life for the fronts, been cut for 40000 plus miles because of a jackass at Les Schwab, and I never got around to it until next week, lol 63000 miles and now looks like I need pads.

2020 1500 RST 4wd with 6.2 and 10 speed no speed limiting either for me, but again mine is cut off.

Edited October 14, 2025 by johnnyquick
more info

[typhoon186]

Turns out mine was not the brakes.  It was an idler pulley down low on the passenger side.   

replaced pulley and belt under warranty and its all good