Brake Pad Wear Indicator

[thorny]

Guys, who replace brake pads by yourself, how do you reset brake pad service indicator in i-Drive? I have a new set and it annoys me that it is telling me to go to service..

I have Bavarian Technic cable and for some reason I am getting error while trying to reset any of my Condition based service indicators.

Thanks

[VictorH]

My understanding is that it can only be reset by replacing the wear sensor itself. It clears the pads worn and need replacing message, but I'm not sure what it does with the mileage until replacement amount.

[warp10]

As long as the dash light for brake pad change has not been on, Then you can reset the service mileage through the dash, but if the wear sensor has been worn through then you have to replace the sensor to get the light to turn off.

[thorny]

I'll try the dash reset. If that doesnt help, i'll replace sensors. Thanks for your help

[CanAutM3]

This is correct, as long as the pad sensor did not send a trigger to the ECU, you can reset the mileage countdown through the dash. Otherwise, you need to change the sensor.

BTW, I have given up on the sensors a long time ago. I simply took the connector end of the sensor, cut off most of the cable and welded/taped the two wires together. Changing pads is now much faster and cheeper .

I kept a good set of sensors for when I will sell my car .

[thorny]

Ok. I decided to give up on the sensors too. All I need to do is to cut off the wire and twist 2 wires together?

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

This is correct, as long as the pad sensor did not send a trigger to the ECU, you can reset the mileage countdown through the dash. Otherwise, you need to change the sensor.

BTW, I have given up on the sensors a long time ago. I simply took the connector end of the sensor, cut off most of the cable and welded/taped the two wires together. Changing pads is now much faster and cheeper .

I kept a good set of sensors for when I will sell my car .

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by thorny

Ok. I decided to give up on the sensors too. All I need to do is to cut off the wire and twist 2 wires together?

Yessir, that simple. I actually welded the two wires together to be extra safe, but I guess twisting them would be sufficient. I then wrapped the connection in electrical tape to isolate it from the elements. It has been like this for 3 years without any issues .

[mid-corner fun]

fyi: electrical tape for said purpose melts when placed near the rotors, ask me how I know

wire has since been tie-wrapped away from the front rotor with electrical tape over the sensor. The entire rear wire and sensor can be nicely tucked in the wheel liner.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

This is correct, as long as the pad sensor did not send a trigger to the ECU, you can reset the mileage countdown through the dash. Otherwise, you need to change the sensor.

BTW, I have given up on the sensors a long time ago. I simply took the connector end of the sensor, cut off most of the cable and welded/taped the two wires together. Changing pads is now much faster and cheeper .

I kept a good set of sensors for when I will sell my car .

Lol...I did that as well. I took the car in for service and the service advisor was horrified when they saw my wad of electrical tape.

[thorny]

Thanks guys!

[InterJon]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Yessir, that simple. I actually welded the two wires together to be extra safe, but I guess twisting them would be sufficient. I then wrapped the connection in electrical tape to isolate it from the elements. It has been like this for 3 years without any issues .

Great information. Thanks

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by mid-corner fun

fyi: electrical tape for said purpose melts when placed near the rotors, ask me how I know

wire has since been tie-wrapped away from the front rotor with electrical tape over the sensor. The entire rear wire and sensor can be nicely tucked in the wheel liner.

I only kept less than one inch of wire past the connector. The electrical tape mostly resides inside the connector box inside the wheel well, far away from the rotor. So no melting issues .

[Car54]

If your sensor is intact, you can just tie it back up on the strut or wheel well without messing with the wiring. When you want it back in place, just connect it into the pad...if you didn't lose that stupid spring clip.

[adc]

And if you resort to tying the wires together, simply tuck them back into the Teflon sheath that covers the wires towards the end, it's melt-proof.

When the season starts, I think I'll tuck the sensors into the wheel well to keep them safe.

[Raucky2000]

Thanks for all the great info/exp, I'll be pulling mine back in the spring.

[JJM335]

Originally Posted by Car54

If your sensor is intact, you can just tie it back up on the strut or wheel well without messing with the wiring. When you want it back in place, just connect it into the pad...if you didn't lose that stupid spring clip.

+1 All you have to do is remove the little metal clip and tie the entire sensor out of the way. I've been doing this since one of mine actually fell off and I found it dangling down inside the wheel (having never set off the wear alarm).