Brake pad warning light

[DurangoDave]

Hi folks, BMW newbie here. I've been reading your forum for awhile but haven't had much to offer yet.

I do have a question, and if it's been addressed before please excuse my ignorance and point me to the prior discussion.

Just changed rear brake pads for the first time on my '02 325xi at 68,000 miles........probably the easiest brake pad job I've encountered......very accessible design.......but my question is, how do you reset the warning light that's on the dashboard?

thanks in advance,
Dave
Westminster, MD USA
'02 325xi

[Bear]

Did you change the wear sensor on the right rear outer pad? Usually they reset themselves unless the wear sensor is bad.

[DurangoDave]

Thanks for the instant reply, Bear!

I wondered whether it was mandatory to change the sensor........I did not.....the light has not reset, so I can now assume it's bad and needs to be replaced.

I hope it's a NAPA item and not stealership-only.....probably not.

Thanks again!
Dave

[Bear]

If you had a brake light or lining prompt, then the sensor has triggered. The sensor is metallic with a plastic coating and when the plastic coating touches the rotor and wears off contact is complete and you get the prompt. I do not know where you live but I buy mine from BAP -GEON (about $5.00) although Advance also has them (but they come as a pair from Advance at about $8.00). A pair is OK except on the 3 series like my 1990 325ic.the front and rear sensors are different so you end up installing one and waiting 60,000 miles or so to use the other.

[DurangoDave]

Yep, had the warning light prompt, checked the pads, and found the rears needed replacement. When I visually checked the sensor, I didn't realize the wearing off of the plastic coating essentially makes the sensor a consumable item as well. I should have checked the front sensor for comparison (it didn't wear down) so I would have seen the difference and figured out things from there.

I'm off to BAP-Geon (I think there's still one nearby.....I used to buy Triumph parts from them years ago). If not, then it's Advance.

Thanks again for your insight.

Dave
Westminster, MD USA

[sub006]

By the way, Dave, for those times you HAVE to buy from the dealer parts department, you get at least 10% off (usually more) if you show your BMW Car Club of America membership card. Dues are only about $40 a year and I save far more on parts and accessories from dealers and aftermarket suppliers, plus a monthly 100-page full-color magazine, tech assistance and sizable rebates on new and CPO Bimmers.

Forty thousand members can't be wrong. Tell 'em BMW CCA #163664 sent you!

[DurangoDave]

Hey, hey! Thanks for the info 163664!
Dave
Westminster, MD USA

[sbrewer555]

Hey Man,
Here's a website that give's a fairly comprehensive set of instructions on how to reset the warning light.

http://www.marshost.com/~rashmun/bmw.reset.tool.htm

Cheers,
Stephan

[Bear]

Shortng device will work for the service lights (green/yellow/red) may not work for any other function.

[meromance]

Originally Posted by sbrewer555

Hey Man,
Here's a website that give's a fairly comprehensive set of instructions on how to reset the warning light.

http://www.marshost.com/~rashmun/bmw.reset.tool.htm

Cheers,
Stephan

Thanks for the website my brakes need to be changed soon as well.