Just changed front brake pads...brake warning light stayed on

[BMR616KC]

My brake pad warning light came on so I bought new brake pads and changed them. My brake pad warning light is still on!..it turns on when I start the car and stays on until I turn off the car. How do I turn that light off? Changed the brake pads the next day after the light came on.

[Joe ///M3]

You forgot to replace the brake light sensors. They are about 15 bucks, and have to be replaced in order for that light to turn off.

You can either get them from the dealer where they'll likely charge you 3 times as much, or you can go to http://www.turnermotorsport.com and get them there.

[BMWguy206]

You have to reset the light by leaving the ignition switch on position #2 for about 30 sec. turn off the ignition and start the engine up and see if it goes out.

I recommend buying a new wear pad sensor as well because now light will lit up when you're way below spec (less than 3mm)

[CarbonBlkE36]

john............. where'd u get that idea??? its either a bad sensor... or its loose...... and 15 bucks isn't what it costs.... thats a lot more than i pay..... almost twice as much

[BMWguy206]

BMR616KC stated;

"My brake pad warning light came on so I bought new brake pads and changed them. My brake pad warning light is still on!..it turns on when I start the car and stays on until I turn off the car. How do I turn that light off? Changed the brake pads the next day after the light came on."

Obviously the wear sensor has made contact with the rotor and is already damaged. You're not even suppose to resuse the wear pad sensor if its worn or damaged anyways.The way how the sensor works is that it must make contact to the rotor to complete the wear pad light indicator circuit.

There is no mentioning that he replaced the the wear pad sensor with a new one.

But if one did replaced the wear pad sensor and the wear pad indicator is lit up, the way to reset it is to leave the key on in ignition switch #2 or #1 for about 30sec. turn it off and its reset.

[UD///M]

Actually the wear circuit is already made with the new sensor. When the pad wears down and the sensor starts to rub on the disc, it will eventually wear into the sensor and break the circuit. Try measuring one with an ohm meter. Both new and used.

It is possible to bypass the whole thing (but not recommended unless you are very anal about maintenance on your car) by cutting the cable on the sensor and then connecting the two wires together. Then sealing them with RTV. You will never have to worry about that light again but you will have to pay attention the pad wear yourself.

[Daley1967]

Had this problem on my 325 and read the thread on this subject. I turned the key to no.2 position and waited about 30 seconds and it did the trick.

Thanks for the information!!

[eastonball]

Once the light comes on, the sensor is already shot. Just get new ones. I would recommened Bavarian autosports. I thik they are like 9 bucks.
http://www.bavauto.com

The light is triggered when the sensor gets eaten up against the rotor. Once that happens you have to replace the sensors, and reset the light on the dash. TO reset the light, make sure you have good, new sensors in. Turn the key to the 2nd position (Just prior to starting) and wait till the brake warning light turns off. Once it turns off, turn the car off. Then, turn it back on to make sure the light remains off. You're done.

Remember, if you let your brakes get low enough to turn the light on, it's already too late for the sensor.

You can bypass this feature by connecting the 2 wires of the snesor together. But I don't recommened it. Not because you have to be anal about watching your brakes, (Most cars dont have this, we're spoiled.. you should know the condition of your brake system without this) But rather because It's a BMW, it should work correctly. Besides, it's just a cool feature. Good luck.

[ptarditi]

What model is your car?

[kamjr]

I have a Oct 2004 Mini Copper s and had the same problem warning light came on. Replaced brake pads front and back warning light was still on. Then replaced the front and back brake pad sensors. Easy job and cheap to buy. Just have to take off the plastic trim on the wheel arches (few screws to undo) and the plugs are behind these. Then turned the ignition to the second click left it for a minute or so and light turned off. Hope this helps

Take a look at this link it will help

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/how-to/38346-maintenance-changing-front-brake-pads-for-beginners.html

[AnimatedZombie]

This is a 2001 thread!

[E36ing]

Still good info.

[TomDaley1962]

Changed my brakes on my X5 along with a new brake sensor and the light stayed on. I turned the key to no.2 position and waited about 30 seconds and it did the trick.

Thanks for the information!!

[critterxl]

Good info, and ironic that it showed up now from the past. I have a '99 Z3 Roadster and I did my front brakes last spring. No dash indicator, just a warning from the dealer that they were getting thin.
About a month ago the indicator came on and I jumped to the assumption that it was time to do my back ones now. This afternoon I did the backs and found that the pads probably had a fair amount of wear left and the sensor didn't show any wear at all. Got everything back together and went down the road to test and was surprised to see the indicator didn't go off (shouldn't have been surprised since the sensor wasn't worn).
Anyway, found this thread and tried the reset procedure but that didn't work. I guess I'll replace the front AND rear sensor now in hopes that that will be the cure? Doesn't seem like one would just up and go bad without damage does it?
Any other ideas on this other than replacement?
Lee

[bmwdirtracer]

Very often, if you try to reuse an old sensor, the tiny spring will overextend, or the plastic will break in some unseen spot, and the sensor will wiggle and trigger at first brake application, or soon thereafter.

Pros, therefore, will avoid cheaping out on a $12 sensor, and will generally replace it if it's been removed from a pad, because it's not worth pissing off the customer, or having to go back in again. If you're sure the indicator is for pads { (O) , or "Brake Linings" }, and the above reset procedure (key on 'til light goes off) doesn't work, it's likely you have a bad sensor.

You could lift the right rear and left front, remove wheels, and carefully check the sensors and their wiring for faults.....that's what I would do, first of all.

[critterxl]

Thanks bmwdirt!

[GunnerNell]

One of the sensors (rr, I believe) went bad on my 325, well before the brake pads needed replacing. I took a corner fairly hard, and according to the dealer (it was still under warranty), that's sometimes enough to swing the sensor into making contact with something that will trigger the warning light.

[skygreg64]

Thanks , the 30 sec reset did the trick.:)

[Chalfont]

Just changed pads on both front and rear, and both sensors, the light stayed on. Switched the car off, turned the ignition on for about 30 sec, the light went out.
By the way if you're having difficulty pushing the rear calipers in to fit new pads, don't waste your time trying to push them back, you need a retracting tool. For the back only.

[284Shooter]

Just changed pads on both front and rear, and both sensors, the light stayed on. Switched the car off, turned the ignition on for about 30 sec, the light went out.
By the way if you're having difficulty pushing the rear calipers in to fit new pads, don't waste your time trying to push them back, you need a retracting tool. For the back only.


^ that depends on the car.

[bmwdirtracer]

Just changed pads on both front and rear, and both sensors, the light stayed on. Switched the car off, turned the ignition on for about 30 sec, the light went out.
By the way if you're having difficulty pushing the rear calipers in to fit new pads, don't waste your time trying to push them back, you need a retracting tool. For the back only.

That would be true, for a MINI, or a Volkswagen. Not for a BMW.

[shogun]

just found on the website of Zeckenhausen the following:

After replacing pads and sensors, the dash warning will still be illuminated. However, you do not need your BMW dealer to reset the warning message.
To reset the warning on most pre-iDrive models, turn the ignition key to the run position, but do not start the car. After about one minute, the brake pad warning will reset.
For newer models, the technique to reset the warning may vary.

and this I posted last year:
BMW Brake warning light reset

just found this on the net: (never tested it ob my car)
Make sure that you replaced the sensor and the brake pads if you did not replace the sensor or pads this will not work. Turn the key to position two (when all of the inspection lights are lit), leave it in this position and leave your driver’s door open a few seconds (between 15 to 90 seconds depending on your car) and it magically resets. If that did not work turn the key to position two and push down on the brake then turn the key off and check to see if it turns off (door must also be open). If this still does not work press down on your brake (hold it pushed down) and turn the key to position two and wait until it turns off. If none of these work please go back and check that you installed the sensor correctly.

[R6Russian]

From my experience selling car parts for 4 years, the real calipers will have a twist in piston only if the ebrake actuates the caliper itself and mechanically extends the piston to lock the back wheels. Since our cars have a parking drum inside the rear rotors, our rear calipers don't have that and they are just regular push in with a c clamp type. Or by hand

[Ckc100]

just found on the website of Zeckenhausen the following:

After replacing pads and sensors, the dash warning will still be illuminated. However, you do not need your BMW dealer to reset the warning message.
To reset the warning on most pre-iDrive models, turn the ignition key to the run position, but do not start the car. After about one minute, the brake pad warning will reset.
For newer models, the technique to reset the warning may vary.

and this I posted last year:
BMW Brake warning light reset

just found this on the net: (never tested it ob my car)
Make sure that you replaced the sensor and the brake pads if you did not replace the sensor or pads this will not work. Turn the key to position two (when all of the inspection lights are lit), leave it in this position and leave your driver’s door open a few seconds (between 15 to 90 seconds depending on your car) and it magically resets. If that did not work turn the key to position two and push down on the brake then turn the key off and check to see if it turns off (door must also be open). If this still does not work press down on your brake (hold it pushed down) and turn the key to position two and wait until it turns off. If none of these work please go back and check that you installed the sensor correctly.


This worked perfect after I went back and replaced the sensors as well.

[jana83]

This worked perfect after I went back and replaced the sensors as well.

After having new front brake pads installed I was told my brake sensor is bad and the quote was $1000 for new sensor. Should the sensor have been replaced at the time pads were installed? How much should this cost? Thanks

[ross1]

After having new front brake pads installed I was told my brake sensor is bad and the quote was $1000 for new sensor. Should the sensor have been replaced at the time pads were installed? How much should this cost? Thanks
You are kidding, right? Did they kiss you first?
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