[Bmwjc]

Hi all. Was changing my front pads last night and a couple of issues firstly the garage that said I needed a change wasn't quite correct. 8mm left both sides I think they should be fine for a while! Secondly is there only one sensor don't left? Also the service light for brakes is on yet discs and pads all round are more than fine. Could this be a faulty sensor? I have a new one so could fit this and reset service light.

[Aragorn30d]

I think the service indicator will come on with mileage alone. If the wear sensors were causing it you'd get a yellow or red brake warning light on the dashboard.

IIRC the cars only have one sensor on each end.

Try simply resetting the service light and see what happens?

[Russbmw]

Originally Posted by Aragorn30d

I think the service indicator will come on with mileage alone. If the wear sensors were causing it you'd get a yellow or red brake warning light on the dashboard.

IIRC the cars only have one sensor on each end.

Try simply resetting the service light and see what happens?

Above is all correct.

Brake pad change warning is just more of a reminded, it's mileage based.

Yes, there is only one sensor.

It's definitely the fronts that the warning is pertaining to, not the rears?

Anyway, if all is good and it is indeed the fronts, once you've replaced them, you need to reset the warning light.

[Bmwjc]

The front pads I think are fine rears are fine also.
Picture below is the lights that come on. The top red one stays on all the time the ramp goes just after start up.

[Calum95]

There is only one sensor on the passenger front side, you should be able to tell if that caused the warning as it'll be ground flush with the pads. Also if you've already changed the pads and you used the same sensor you may have broken it. From what i've read they don't like being switched to new pads and are prone to braking!

Hope this helps.

[Aragorn30d]

Yep so thats definately a wear sensor issue.

To fix that error, you need to replace the wear sensor at the end thats faulty.

[Bmwjc]

I've not changed the pads as they seem to have a fair bit of life left in them still and left them in. Sensors where not removed either. I would say there is about at least 6mm all round of material left.
Can anyone confirm the lights that have lit up are to service brakes? I've lost my manual.

[Bmwjc]

Originally Posted by Aragorn30d

Yep so thats definately a wear sensor issue.

To fix that error, you need to replace the wear sensor at the end thats faulty.

Anyway of finding out if it's front or back that's faulty?

[Aragorn30d]

i'm not really sure, perhaps if you scan for fault codes it might tell you? or maybe live data from one of the controllers?

On my brothers car, we didnt have new sensors so i just cut the wires off the plug and soldered them together, taped it up and plugged it back in, and that made the warning go away.

[Shaun69]

Originally Posted by Bmwjc

I've not changed the pads as they seem to have a fair bit of life left in them still and left them in. Sensors where not removed either. I would say there is about at least 6mm all round of material left.
Can anyone confirm the lights that have lit up are to service brakes? I've lost my manual.

Service book

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by Bmwjc

The front pads I think are fine rears are fine also.
Picture below is the lights that come on. The top red one stays on all the time the ramp goes just after start up.

The red car symbol on a lift means it is time for a diagnostic.

[Aragorn30d]

The red car on a lift, coupled with the brake symbol, specifically means there is an issue with one of the wear sensors, either due to a fault, or due to them having worn away.

Its in the cars handbook.

[Bmwjc]

Thanks for the symbol pictures. I've lost my handbook somewhere does anyone know if you can by a new one from Bmw?

[Aragorn30d]

try ebay?

[mjn77]

You can download them from BMW website.