2001 BMW 5 Series Logo
Posted on Jan 20, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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Brake Pad Sensor

I had my rear brakes replaced (front brakes replaced not too long ago). The brake pad sensor is still on. Do I need to have the brake wear sensor replaced? Is that difficult to do? How much would that typically cost? The BMW changed the rear break pads and sensor. Other mechanic changed front nreak pads and rotors. The break light in the dash is still on. The mechanic tried the 30 second fix but the light is still on. DO I need to replace the front break sensor? Please help.

  • 2 more comments 
  • Jake_dog_1 Jan 23, 2009

    Thak you very much for the help!!

  • formula09 Feb 28, 2009

    i have just had my rear brake pads changed on a 318 sport but the sensor broke when taking it out. how difficult is it to fit a new sensor. and where does the non pad end connect to?

  • Geoff Turner
    Geoff Turner Oct 26, 2013

    replace wear senses, get in car, close door and turn ignition to number two or second marker then wait a short while so that engine management knows pads have been replaced, provided New wear sensors have been replced also then break wear light should go out. hope this helps.ment

  • Geoff Turner
    Geoff Turner Oct 26, 2013

    yes, then follow simple procedure as described for in earlier post

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  • Posted on Apr 04, 2009
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I have replaced both front/ rear pads, and no matter what the dash light will not go off. I have disconnected both front/rear sensors, and light is still on , any suggestions?

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  • Posted on Jan 24, 2009
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I have the same issue. It is my read that when the sensor hits the rotor it is needs to be replaced. I'm thinking the sensor runs the electrical wire on the touch point. You can see the metallic mark in a good one. Thus, maybe a dab of solder, or wire strand placed on by jb weld might make the connection and the then when the reset procedure is followed it will take because there is continuity between the sensor leads. Yes, you can always but a sensor, I'm just interested in understanding the concept. Any thoughts?

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  • Posted on Jan 23, 2009
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If the brake lining indicator light illuminated prior to brake pad replacement, the wear sensor should be replaced. You have to get down to the point where you remove the brake pads then carefully pry the wear sensor from the brake pad. It is not difficult. There is only one sensor in the front and one in the rear. The front one is approximately $20. (Checkout www.realoem.com. Enter your VIN and/or other vehicle info to obtain the part number and cost.)

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0helpful
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Replace brake pad light on, how do you reset it?

you need to replace the pad wear sensor when the pad wears down it wears the sensor and the sensor needs to be replace if you look at the sensor you can see the wire on the sensor wears threw
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Step by step instructions on how to replace front break pads on a 2003 VW Passat

For front brake pads replacement you need only usually wrench set, inclusive 7 mm allen key also.
But for rear brake pads replacement you need obligatory a special caliper piston pressing tool, in order to press back rear caliper piston with parking brake automatic adjustment!!!
For front brake pads. First you must verify yours front brake disc diameter: 280 mm or 288 mm. After that you can buy the brake pads (with wear sensor). For change front brake pads you must raise vehicle, remove wheels, extract the retaining spring of the caliper, and remove the caliper as follow:
1. Do not disconnect the brake hose from the caliper, and do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose!
2. Remove top and bottom caps (on back side of the caliper) for access to guide pins, then unbolt and remove them from the brake carrier. Remove the caliper.
3. Now you must thoroughly clean the brake calipers (free of grease).
4. Remove outer brake pad from brake carrier.
5. Pull inner brake pad out of brake caliper piston.
6. Check up the brake fluid level on the reservor, and emptying if neccessary!
7. Push piston back into brake caliper housing.
8. Install inner brake pad (with expanding spring) in brake caliper piston. (Arrow marked on pad - if exist, must point in direction of brake disc rotation when vehicle is moving forward).
9. Install outer brake pad into brake carrier.
10. Bolt brake caliper housing to brake carrier using two guide pins. Tightening torque is 25 Nm.
11. Install both caps.
12. Insert retaining spring into brake caliper housing. Important: Depress the brake pedal firmly several times while the car is stationary so that the brake pads adjust to their normal operating positions!!! Check brake fluid level and top up if neccessary!!!
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Change brake pads

For front brake pads replacement you need only usually wrench set, inclusive 7 mm allen key also. But for rear brake pads replacement you need obligatory a special caliper piston pressing tool, in order to press back rear caliper piston with parking brake automatic adjustment!!! For front brake pads. First you must verify yours front brake disc diameter: 280 mm or 288 mm. (On my car y have 288 mm). After that you can buy the brake pads (with wear sensor). For change front brake pads you must raise vehicle, remove wheels, extract the retaining spring of the caliper, and remove the caliper as follow: 1. Do not disconnect the brake hose from the caliper, and do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose! 2. Remove top and bottom caps (on back side of the caliper) for access to guide pins, then unbolt and remove them from the brake carrier. Remove the caliper. 3. Now you must thoroughly clean the brake calipers (free of grease). 4. Remove outer brake pad from brake carrier. 5. Pull inner brake pad out of brake caliper piston. 6. Check up the brake fluid level on the reservor, and emptying if neccessary! 7. Push piston back into brake caliper housing. 8. Install inner brake pad (with expanding spring) in brake caliper piston. (Arrow marked on pad - if exist, must point in direction of brake disc rotation when vehicle is moving forward). 9. Install outer brake pad into brake carrier. 10. Bolt brake caliper housing to brake carrier using two guide pins. Tightening torque is 25 Nm. 11. Install both caps. 12. Insert retaining spring into brake caliper housing. Important: Depress the brake pedal firmly several times while the car is stationary so that the brake pads adjust to their normal operating positions!!! Check brake fluid level and top up if neccessary!!!
2helpful
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Changing rear brake pads

For front brake pads replacement you need only usually wrench set, inclusive 7 mm allen key also.
But for rear brake pads replacement you need obligatory a special caliper piston pressing tool, in order to press back rear caliper piston with parking brake automatic adjustment!!!
For front brake pads. First you must verify yours front brake disc diameter: 280 mm or 288 mm. (On my car y have 288 mm). After that you can buy the brake pads (with wear sensor). For change front brake pads you must raise vehicle, remove wheels, extract the retaining spring of the caliper, and remove the caliper as follow:
1. Do not disconnect the brake hose from the caliper, and do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose!
2. Remove top and bottom caps (on back side of the caliper) for access to guide pins, then unbolt and remove them from the brake carrier. Remove the caliper.
3. Now you must thoroughly clean the brake calipers (free of grease).
4. Remove outer brake pad from brake carrier.
5. Pull inner brake pad out of brake caliper piston.
6. Check up the brake fluid level on the reservor, and emptying if neccessary!
7. Push piston back into brake caliper housing.
8. Install inner brake pad (with expanding spring) in brake caliper piston. (Arrow marked on pad - if exist, must point in direction of brake disc rotation when vehicle is moving forward).
9. Install outer brake pad into brake carrier.
10. Bolt brake caliper housing to brake carrier using two guide pins. Tightening torque is 25 Nm.
11. Install both caps.
12. Insert retaining spring into brake caliper housing. Important: Depress the brake pedal firmly several times while the car is stationary so that the brake pads adjust to their normal operating positions!!! Check brake fluid level and top up if neccessary!!!

Please rate my response. Thanks!
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WHAT TOOLS ARE NEEDE TO REPLACE AUDI A3 SPORTSBACK FRONT BRAKE PADS

For front brake pads replacement you need only usually wrench set, inclusive 7 mm allen key also. But for rear brake pads replacement you need obligatory a special caliper piston pressing tool, in order to press back rear caliper piston with parking brake automatic adjustment!!! For front brake pads. You must buy the brake pads with wear sensor. For change front brake pads you must raise vehicle, remove wheels, extract the retaining spring of the caliper, and remove the caliper as follow:
1. Do not disconnect the brake hose from the caliper, and do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose!
2. Remove top and bottom caps (on back side of the caliper) for access to guide pins, then unbolt and remove them from the brake carrier. Remove the caliper.
3. Now you must thoroughly clean the brake calipers (free of grease).
4. Remove outer brake pad from brake carrier.
5. Pull inner brake pad out of brake caliper piston.
6. Check up the brake fluid level on the reservor, and emptying if neccessary!
7. Push piston back into brake caliper housing.
8. Install inner brake pad (with expanding spring) in brake caliper piston. (Arrow marked on pad - if exists, must point in direction of brake disc rotation when vehicle is moving forward).
9. Install outer brake pad into brake carrier.
10. Bolt brake caliper housing to brake carrier using two guide pins. Tightening torque is 25 Nm.
11. Install both caps.
12. Insert retaining spring into brake caliper housing. Important: Depress the brake pedal firmly several times while the car is stationary so that the brake pads adjust to their normal operating positions!!! Check brake fluid level and top up if neccessary!!!
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What is the procedure to replace front and rear brake pads on 1 2006 Audi A4 Quattro? It doesz not seem to be the same process as American cars.

For front brake pads replacement you need only usually wrench set, inclusive 7 mm allen key also. But for rear brake pads replacement you need obligatory a special caliper piston pressing tool, in order to press back rear caliper piston with parking brake automatic adjustment!!! For front brake pads. First you must verify yours front brake disc diameter: 280 mm or 288 mm. (On my car y have 288 mm). After that you can buy the brake pads (with wear sensor). For change front brake pads you must raise vehicle, remove wheels, extract the retaining spring of the caliper, and remove the caliper as follow: 1. Do not disconnect the brake hose from the caliper, and do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose! 2. Remove top and bottom caps (on back side of the caliper) for access to guide pins, then unbolt and remove them from the brake carrier. Remove the caliper. 3. Now you must thoroughly clean the brake calipers (free of grease). 4. Remove outer brake pad from brake carrier. 5. Pull inner brake pad out of brake caliper piston. 6. Check up the brake fluid level on the reservor, and emptying if neccessary! 7. Push piston back into brake caliper housing. 8. Install inner brake pad (with expanding spring) in brake caliper piston. (Arrow marked on pad - if exist, must point in direction of brake disc rotation when vehicle is moving forward). 9. Install outer brake pad into brake carrier. 10. Bolt brake caliper housing to brake carrier using two guide pins. Tightening torque is 25 Nm. 11. Install both caps. 12. Insert retaining spring into brake caliper housing. Important: Depress the brake pedal firmly several times while the car is stationary so that the brake pads adjust to their normal operating positions!!! Check brake fluid level and top up if neccessary!!!
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How to shut off Brake wear sensor after pad change

If the brake pads were worn enough to activate the warning light the sensor or sensors must be replaced. There is no reset for this.
4helpful
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BRAKE WARNING LIGHT

I dunno if this will work on your BMW, but on my BMW Z3 and M3, it was....

Turn the ignition key to position 2, but do NOT start the car. Wait for about 45 seconds and the brake warning message will be reset.

If it doesn't reset, then the brake sensor was damage. You will need to replace the brake sensor. It sounds like you replace the brake right after you saw the warning, so the brake sensor should be okay.
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Brake pads lights

Hi,
Make sure the brake discs are still within spec, as they usually only last the life of one set of OE pads.
Make sure your brake pads has the recess to accept the clip in wear sensor on the inner Right rear brake pad, and front drivers inside pad.
If you have refitted these, and it is defective, you may need to replace it.You can disconnect the lead and check you have continuity. - You should have on a good sensor.

When the pads wear past 2mm, the discs slice through a small plastic bump - and break a wire link - thus the light comes on the dash.

After replacement of wear sensor, leave key in 'on' position for a couple minutes and the light will go out.

If this solves the problem, please rate as a Fixya! so others may benefit. Thanks.
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Brake Pad Sensor

On my bmw 325i front pads changed,indicator on dash still on,help!!
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