[satish_141]

Guys,

Last I have replaced all 4 my brake discs and pads, car seems to break all fine but still last night I got this warning, so not taking my car out anymore, please let me know what is this warning symbols mean? brake pads are worn out? or something else? thanks.

[Raahil]

Have you reset your computer after changing the pads/discs?

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by Raahil

Have you reset your computer after changing the pads/discs?

yes my cars discs and pads were replaced last year, the sensors were reset

[Raahil]

It will most likely be one of service lights that require a reset. Have a toggle through the options and see if any are out of date

[bfleming]

Originally Posted by Raahil

It will most likely be one of service lights that require a reset. Have a toggle through the options and see if any are out of date

If you have an iDrive you can do what Raahil says; otherwise plug a Carly in & reset it that way. Happy to do it for you if you fancy a trip to Hertfordshire. There is no risk from driving the car, the service light just needs resetting.

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by bfleming

If you have an iDrive you can do what Raahil says; otherwise plug a Carly in & reset it that way. Happy to do it for you if you fancy a trip to Hertfordshire. There is no risk from driving the car, the service light just needs resetting.

all my service lights are normal

so not sure if this could be low brake fluid or worn pads?


would you please be able to check as I can drive to Hertfordshire

thanks for the help offered....

[bfleming]

Originally Posted by satish_141

all my service lights are normal

so not sure if this could be low brake fluid or worn pads?


would you please be able to check as I can drive to Hertfordshire

thanks for the help offered....

You can check either of those things really easily, but your manual tells you that light sequence means low pads. If the computer isn't reset when pads are changed, it still counts down the expected pad life from when they were last changed. You can't reset the pad wear countdown when the sensor has been activated by the way, so as long as the sensor was changed when the pads were, you're good to go.
I'm back home on Friday if that's any good?

[dragerboy]

I think its either for brake fluid renewal or inspection of brakes/underside of car. You can can drive the car with no issues. You should also be able to reset it. If not its the pad wear indicator as mentioned above.

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by bfleming

You can check either of those things really easily, but your manual tells you that light sequence means low pads. If the computer isn't reset when pads are changed, it still counts down the expected pad life from when they were last changed. You can't reset the pad wear countdown when the sensor has been activated by the way, so as long as the sensor was changed when the pads were, you're good to go.
I'm back home on Friday if that's any good?

hello bfleming thank you very much, yes the manual says this sequence is for low pads, but it doesnt tell whether they are front or rear? also all I know is I changed all 4 discs and pads last year, so not sure if the pads are really worn out in just a years time....my car is 55 plate pretty old but I do maintain it well with regular service etc....

anyway any help is greatly appreciated if I am not wasting your time, happy to come friday. Please let me know what time suits you and also your address in a private message...thank you very much...

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by dragerboy

I think its either for brake fluid renewal or inspection of brakes/underside of car. You can can drive the car with no issues. You should also be able to reset it. If not its the pad wear indicator as mentioned above.

hello dragerboy thank you...as the manual says I am suspecting low on pads...ads for brake fluid there is a separate warning right?

as the warning is RED it is worrying me when I drive, although my car seems to break all OK, but because of this I am not driving anywhere except short distances when needed until I get this fully tested. Unfortunately the BMW mechanic who tests my car is away on vacation.

[dragerboy]

Originally Posted by satish_141

hello dragerboy thank you...as the manual says I am suspecting low on pads...ads for brake fluid there is a separate warning right?

as the warning is RED it is worrying me when I drive, although my car seems to break all OK, but because of this I am not driving anywhere except short distances when needed until I get this fully tested. Unfortunately the BMW mechanic who tests my car is away on vacation.

Quite safe to drive, I've been driving mine with that warning for months lol. I'm due to put 335 brake setup on but just haven't found the time.

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by dragerboy

Quite safe to drive, I've been driving mine with that warning for months lol. I'm due to put 335 brake setup on but just haven't found the time.

Oh cool...thats good to know we can drive thanks for the info...

[juld0zer]

I'm willing to bet that you wore your pads and wear sensors beyond the second stage of the sensor. The first stage tells the control unit that the sensor has touched (4.5-4.8mm pad left) and to tell it to recalculate the estimated life remaining. Once the second stage trips, the red car on hoist icon appears which means your pads are worn out, drive moderately and visit a service centre ASAP. Once the red car on hoist icon appears, you will not be able to do any DIY CBS reset even with a new wear sensor. It will need to be reset using dealer software or equivalent.

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

I'm willing to bet that you wore your pads and wear sensors beyond the second stage of the sensor. The first stage tells the control unit that the sensor has touched (4.5-4.8mm pad left) and to tell it to recalculate the estimated life remaining. Once the second stage trips, the red car on hoist icon appears which means your pads are worn out, drive moderately and visit a service centre ASAP. Once the red car on hoist icon appears, you will not be able to do any DIY CBS reset even with a new wear sensor. It will need to be reset using dealer software or equivalent.

thank you, does it mean I have to replace all 4 pads and sensors?

[satish_141]

had sometime today, took it to my local bmw specialist, Steve in sindlesham very nice guy, he put my car on ramp and checked all pads and discs..he said all are fine ..he said front ones slightly worn but could still do anther 3000 miles...rear ones are fine...he then checked brake fluid..even that was ok..but then he topped it up slightly.....even then the warning shows...he then ran a diagnostic test ...which showed that the front brake pads are low....not sure why warning comes even though the pads arent so low? he saidbi can drive anther 3K, then replace only front pads..... so rightnow no issues....

[juld0zer]

That's probably what it is. There is only one sensor for every axle. So really, it is only monitoring one pad out of four on each axle. If that caliper happens to wear the outer pad more than the inner, then the sensor may not give enough warning. Conversely like in your situation, perhaps the inner left pad has worn faster than the outer, so it has tripped the warning

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by juld0zer

That's probably what it is. There is only one sensor for every axle. So really, it is only monitoring one pad out of four on each axle. If that caliper happens to wear the outer pad more than the inner, then the sensor may not give enough warning. Conversely like in your situation, perhaps the inner left pad has worn faster than the outer, so it has tripped the warning

you may be right..so even if one pad out of all 4 goes too low you get that warning?

[bfleming]

There is one sensor per axle, which will show a brake pad warning light when triggered. However, there is a service countdown indicator. When the pads are renewed, the service interval for the pads will be reset. When it runs out, it triggers the warning. The 2 systems are effectively independent - one is a mileage thing, one is a physical circuit that's broken (or made, I can't remember) when the wear sensor is worn through.
You can reset the mileage based pads service light IF the sensor hasn't been worn through. If it has, you need a new sensor - and new pads then obviously too!