Rear brakes service light

[Andrew M325iS]

Hi beemers.

I'm struggling with my rear brake pads, new rear pads were installed in July 2016 and the workshop didn't reset the service light however, they later reset it after returning the car to them in October 2016, the car has done no more than 6000km since they put in the new pads. In December 2016 the rear brake pad wear light was showing 14000km left before rear brake pad replacement and 42000km for the front. Suddenly last night it said 900km left for rear pads need replacement and today, it's down to 0km and shows a sign to replace and the brake pads are in good condition. I can't reset it no matter what I do. Can some one help?

Much appreciated.

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By the way it's a 325i e90 lci

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[Lostboy]

Hey bud

Had the same issue, I replace both front and rear sensors and that sorted it out

The pads they install did you do the sensors aswell?

 

[warrenk]

The sensors are relatively cheap from Goldwagen, the rear one requires you to remove some plastics to get to the plug

 

[Andrew M325iS]

Thanks for the response, will have to buy sensors from the dealer.

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[gavsadler]

There's a couple of YouTube videos which illustrate how to reset the service light (I referred to one today actually)

Push key in to switch on ignition, push start button (without depressing clutch), press and hold trip reset button until warning triangle disappears, then scroll to the service item to reset using up/down button on left indicator stalk. Press BC button to reset, then press and hold to initiate reset.

 

[Andrew M325iS]

Tried that and now my front brakes are also showing -----
After searching the net, turns out that without the ecu detecting new sensors, the service light won't reset.

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[Lostboy]

Indeed sir, the sensors are located on the right side of the car, you will have to remove some plastic wheel ache covers to locate the little black box, while you there, grab a small broom and get rid of the dust that accumulated in the box itself.

 

[///Avi]

"Mini thread hi-jack and revival"

Hi guys, as per OPs post in picture 2. I have an upcoming rear brake service due. My OBC says 2300 km. I will probably do that mileage over the next 2 months or so. What I would like to know, are my brake pads due for replacement or do they need to be inspected first?

What is the minimum thickness that the brake pads can go to?
Will the Outside pads wear similarly to the inside pads? Or will I still need to check the insides even if the outsides have ample life in them?

Any information that you may have, even if it is not specifically for my car model would be helpful as I am a total novice when it comes to this. I won't be attempting the work myself but I also don't want the service centre to BS me.

Thanks in advance guys!raise:

 

[akash]

I believe the sensors will trip when you have around 5mm pad life left.

 

[///Avi]

I believe the sensors will trip when you have around 5mm pad life left.

Thanks Akash, you always have good information for me:chef:

 

[NtandoN]

"Mini thread hi-jack and revival"

Hi guys, as per OPs post in picture 2. I have an upcoming rear brake service due. My OBC says 2300 km. I will probably do that mileage over the next 2 months or so. What I would like to know, are my brake pads due for replacement or do they need to be inspected first?

What is the minimum thickness that the brake pads can go to?
Will the Outside pads wear similarly to the inside pads? Or will I still need to check the insides even if the outsides have ample life in them?

Any information that you may have, even if it is not specifically for my car model would be helpful as I am a total novice when it comes to this. I won't be attempting the work myself but I also don't want the service centre to BS me.

Thanks in advance guys!raise:

Your pads are due for replacement. You can go on a little bit but the sensors are there so that there's still enough pad that the disc doesn't get affected. Having said that, inspect your disks too they may need to be replaced.

If the pads don't wear the similar then something's wrong. The pads should be that be the same or very similar.

I recommend that you DIY, as this requires basic tools and level 3 (out of 10) mechanical skill. It's a 1-2 hour job for a first timer. (Many youtube clips for reference)

 

[///Avi]

Your pads are due for replacement. You can go on a little bit but the sensors are there so that there's still enough pad that the disc doesn't get affected. Having said that, inspect your disks too they may need to be replaced.

If the pads don't wear the similar then something's wrong. The pads should be that be the same or very similar.

I recommend that you DIY, as this requires basic tools and level 3 (out of 10) mechanical skill. It's a 1-2 hour job for a first timer. (Many youtube clips for reference)

Hi Ntando, thanks for the information. I need to use an RMI workshop, to keep the warranty happy. Not sure if brakes are part of the service record that they require. Maybe I'll give them a call tomorrow and find out.

 

[NtandoN]

Hi Ntando, thanks for the information. I need to use an RMI workshop, to keep the warranty happy. Not sure if brakes are part of the service record that they require. Maybe I'll give them a call tomorrow and find out.

If that's the case, it's better to take it in to a service shop. Speak to John at Leo Haese Pretoria.

 

[swazi85]

Personally my guess it you need a new brake pad wear sensor, did they replace it when the breaks were replace? There's one on the front and back of the the car.


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[Ralf*]

I believe the sensors will trip when you have around 5mm pad life left.

Thanks Akash, you always have good information for me:chef:

Disk pad wear sensors normally placed front left and rear right

sensors work on the circuit closed = lights out function
when the sensor is in contact with the disk, the fine continous wire is broken, and this sets of the light...open/broken circuit = warning light on

a cheap temporary "work around" to cheat the system, is to trace the wire from the sensor, expose the inner copper on both, and twist them into each other, thus creating a closed loop circuit again, do this when the ignition is off

once the ignition is turned on, the computor senses a "complete circuit", and presumes that the sensors are still good, or have been replaced.

note it is a temporary work around, as you now have no warning protection of brake pad wear, and the next you know, you are wearing metal on metal.....= new disks needed

 

[ET was here]

interesing thread

 

[///Avi]

I believe the sensors will trip when you have around 5mm pad life left.

Thanks Akash, you always have good information for me:chef:

Disk pad wear sensors normally placed front left and rear right

sensors work on the circuit closed = lights out function
when the sensor is in contact with the disk, the fine continous wire is broken, and this sets of the light...open/broken circuit = warning light on

a cheap temporary "work around" to cheat the system, is to trace the wire from the sensor, expose the inner copper on both, and twist them into each other, thus creating a closed loop circuit again, do this when the ignition is off

once the ignition is turned on, the computor senses a "complete circuit", and presumes that the sensors are still good, or have been replaced.

note it is a temporary work around, as you now have no warning protection of brake pad wear, and the next you know, you are wearing metal on metal.....= new disks needed

Yes, I've seen that in another forum thread as well. Not advisable. On start up I get the orange rear brake light with the 2300km reading only, I don't get the red warning light and picture. So I will definitely be getting the rear brake pads changed within this time. Thanks for the info :coolShake:

 

[rodga]

I did the sensor work around this past weekend. Was hoping to reuse the sensor when replacing the pads. But it broke while I tried removing it. Cut the wires, stripped, some insulation tape. The light was still on when I started the car again. But to reset the light you need to keep the key in Acc position with driver door open for about 30 sec. This reset the light for me on a e39. Ymmv

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