Replaced the Rear brakes and checked the front brakes on my 2003 Mini Cooper S when the Brake PAd Sensor warning light initially came on. Everything seems to be clear now (Front pads good, rear pads replaced) but the warning light is still on. Please tell me this doesn't have to be reset by the dealer. Any ideas
I'm guessing you din't have the brakes replaced at a dealer. I'm a BMW ADP student and I can give you my best shot on this one.
As we all know these cars and modern day BMWs have a lot in common, whenever we do brakes on BMWs in the lab the codes have to be cleared using what BMW calls the "ICom". Its a fancy wireless device that plugs into the OBDII port to diagnose issues and clear codes. Only BMW approved facilities have this type of equipment, in other words you would have to take it to a dealer.
I'll double check with my instructor tomorrow and get back to you on this, I have access to dealerspeed.net, I checked there but couldn't find anything on this particular issue.
Thanks for the feedback. I can understand if it was the brake warning light, ABS etc, but it seems crazy to have to have the dealer reset the brake pad wear warning. Pretty much means no one except dealer can change brake pads, or you have to catch them before the warning triggers. Let me know what you find out.
Hey there,
Sorry about the delay I completely forgot to reply on this.
But anyway, basically who ever did your brakes dint replace your sensors that clip onto the pad from the back. Once your pads are extremely low the rotor begins to rub against the plastic tip of the sensor, eventually the sensors' metal end becomes exposed to the rotor. Once it does, it completes a parallel circuit that consists of all four sensors, leading to that light on your dash to go off.
Simply replace those sensors and before starting the car, keep the key turned all the way. Do not crank your engine, if you do the system will refuse to reset. You have to keep the key on ACC for about 5 mins, after doing so you may start the car, you will notice the the light is no longer there.
2003 Mini Cooper Brake Pad Warning Light
