Brake Warning Light e46

[ChrisBrand]

Hi Guys, having a bit of an issue with the Brake Warning Light on my dash.

The yellow one in the pic below

I replaced the front pads and wear sensor as well as the front ABS sensors. Have scanned the car with both x431 and Rheingold with no errors present but the light remains on. Tested all ABS sensors and they are functioning 100%. Even went as far as replacing rear pads and sensor even though there is still a large amount of the pad still left.

I have even disconnected the battery for 30 min with no success.

Any ideas what could be causing the light to remain on?

 

[Nikhil]

is there not a break in the circuit before the sensor?

 

[Shido]

Hi Guys, having a bit of an issue with the Brake Warning Light on my dash.

The yellow one in the pic below

I replaced the front pads and wear sensor as well as the front ABS sensors. Have scanned the car with both x431 and Rheingold with no errors present but the light remains on. Tested all ABS sensors and they are functioning 100%. Even went as far as replacing rear pads and sensor even though there is still a large amount of the pad still left.

I have even disconnected the battery for 30 min with no success.

Any ideas what could be causing the light to remain on?

Hi, I did my front brake pads recently (e60) and I had to reset the computer so that the iDrive displays the new mileage to the next change, not sure if this is required on an e46.

 

[Coisman]

Faulty sensor maybe? :dunno:

 

[ChrisBrand]

Could be a faulty brake pad wear sensor but shouldnt that show up on Rheingold??

Ive tested the ABS Sensors and they all work.

@Shido, Ive replaced the pads a few times in the past and never had to reset anything for the brakes.

 

[ChrisBrand]

How does one test for a break in the circuit?

 

[Blue Shirt]

The yellow brake light on E46 can be reset (after replacing the brake sensors) by putting the ignition key in position 2 and leaving it there for at least 1 minute without starting the car. The light should go out by itself after about 1 min if everything is OK.

 

[ChrisBrand]

The yellow brake light on E46 can be reset (after replacing the brake sensors) by putting the ignition key in position 2 and leaving it there for at least 1 minute without starting the car. The light should go out by itself after about 1 min if everything is OK.

Thanks will give it a go

 

[ChrisBrand]

Tried to the above without success. Any other ideas?

 

[Coisman]

Tried to the above without success. Any other ideas?

Replace both brake sensors.

Had the same, with a new sensor, turned out the sensor was faulty.

If that doesn't solve it, then I'm clueless. :dunno:

 

[Coisman]

PS: I remember one time at Leo Haese under motorplan, when the plugged in the new sensor, one of the small pins on the inside bent, and wasn't connected. Gave the same error light on the dash as well.

 

[Bazza]

There's a very well known car dealer in Cape Town, I know his trick is to stick black insulation tape on the inside back of the cluster where the light is. And magically when you reassemble the cluster... BOOOM! No light, brake problem is fixed.

 

[Coisman]

Chris, yea... Is it possible that the ground on your tail brake light is melted out?

LINK: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=10429

 

[Blue Shirt]

Tried to the above without success. Any other ideas?

All I can think of is that one of the sensors that you replaced is faulty, or not making good electrical contact at the connectors in the wheel wells.

You can test the sensors for electrical continuity using a multimeter or a test light and battery.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Thanks guys.

I will probably then need to remove the sensors and check again.

Why is it that the error doesnt come up when scanning the car?

 

[revred]

Thanks guys.

I will probably then need to remove the sensors and check again.

Why is it that the error doesnt come up when scanning the car?

I had the same issue on my Land Rover, I replaced the sensors with aftermarket ones and the light refused to go off. No fault codes just the light on. I changed both sensors with OEM ones and the problem was resolved.

 

[kilotango]

if you have the old sensors still... cut them and then put them onto the car. (i cant remember if the wires need to be joined, or stay open.. but its one of the two.)

if the light goes out after you put the key on.. then one of your new sensors is probably faulty or not connected properly

 

[JohnLod]

if you have the old sensors still... cut them and then put them onto the car. (i cant remember if the wires need to be joined, or stay open.. but its one of the two.)

if the light goes out after you put the key on.. then one of your new sensors is probably faulty or not connected properly

Hi,

Join the wires on the old sensor, plug it in, turn on the ignition (do not start, ignition on and engine off) and wait 30-60 seconds and the light should go off. If it does, then that one is faulty, if not repeat on other axle. If it still doesn't work could be wires.

Regards

John

 

[ChrisBrand]

Thanks very much Kilo & John!!!

 

[ChrisBrand]

Thanks for the help guys.

Narrowed it down to a faulty front brake pad wear sensor. Took it back to the shop but now they first want to send it to Johannesburg to test it and make sure it isnt working and and and....

All this for a R150.00 part...