i have a 2000 bmw 316i se. im going to replace the rear break sensor as its faulty and the lights are illuminated on the dash display. i have already tried the battery disconnection for a couple of hours, with no luck. so i guess il need to change the sensor. when i replace the sensor will the car need to be plugged onto the computer to clear the fault and clear the lights? thanx
when you replace the sensor, turn the key to the on position, i.e the dash lights up, leave it like this for about 2mins.. switch it off. when you switch it on again the light should be out
what he said... failing that, just replace the sensor, take it for a run and the next time you get in the light should stay off, thats how mine worked anyway.
disconnect it and see what happens. that will put it open circuit which is how it should be with good pads in. its only when the pads wear down does the connection get made and pop the bulb on. Up to you to replace it or leave it off. Most of us know when we need brake pads.
nah, thats how i knew mine needed replaced as the cable got cut somehow so the light came on, i disconnected what was left of the cable at both ends and the light still stayed on until i got the replacement cable fitted.
The sensors in these are different than most. The sensor wears out with the brake pad and so once the light is illuminated it needs a new sensor as the old one isn't reusable. Must have a complete circuit and once worn the open circuit triggers the light. The rears on these are a pain in the arse. Real dirty pig of a job getting at the connections behind the arch liner. Need wee girly hands to get at it The light will go off automatically.
thanx guys, il get the sensor changed and hopefully this will clear the light. i dont mean to push my luck, but would anyone have a brief discription on how to replace the sensor? thanx
Think its on passengers side. Take wheel off, locate the sensor on the brake and trace the wire. You'll need to unclip the wire off the rear arm. The connector is behind a panel infront of the wheel arch, held on with plastic rivets. Connection is strange, needs uncliped and rotated like a hinge before it can be disconnected. Takes 10 mins to do but on mine the wee panel was filled with mud and I got bogging Easy to understand once you've started to do it.
I think rear sensor is on passengers side and front sensor is on drivers side. If your pads look fine then i would guess that perhaps the sensor wire has got broken somehow. Might light came on yesterday and my pads look spot on so im guessing ill have to take front and rear wheel off and investigate what condition the wire is in??
pad warning light hi there give me a shout with a contact number and ill change it for u it is on the right hand rear side of car ignition needs to be left on for 25 secs after replacing it any probs just shout as i use to work at bavarian as a tech thks andy.
100% the sensor is on drivers side on rear and passengers side on front,even when the light comes on you have a good few thousand mile on the pads left if the light doesn't go out after replacing sensor try the front sensor for clearance / breaks