Early this winter, my low brake warning light came on. So I replaced the pads and ignored the warning light. I didn't feel like crawling around under the car in the freezing cold weather.

The right rear sensor was the one that tripped the light. And, I destroyed the left front sensor when I replaced the pad. I was gently tring to remove it and it crumbled in my hand.


I decided to go cheap and not replace the sensors. So, yesterday, I clipped off the sensors and tired the wires together. But, the light on the dash is still lit. What do I need to do to get the light to go out????

 

Never mind. Just saw another post. Apparently it goes away on its own after a while, or the dealer can clear the code.

 

I'm not sure if it will go away???

But some others have clipped off the sensor and twisted the wires together I think... It's just a plain old continuous circuit that it's looking for - wearing out the sensor breaks the wire and the light comes on...

 

They're only $10 if you find a good mail order MINI dealer....

 

It'll go away after a few days!

 

How many days would that be?

I replaced my rear pads on 12/20/09 and twisted the wire leads on the sensor cable and taped it up.

It's been 15 days now and the light still hasn't gone out. Does anyone think this is normal?

Any suggestions for getting it to go out?

When I replaced the fronts and did the same thing, the light went out immediately, as I recall.

 

quote

"The MINI uses a Brake Wear Sensor on the front left and rear right brake pads. When the brake pad wears down, the brake pad wear sensor is also worn down and will eventually trigger the warning light to alert you. Once the warning light is triggered, the wear sensor needs to be replaced.
After replacing the sensor, turn the ignition key to the #2 position for around 30 seconds without turning over the engine...the light goes out! "
endquote from Minimania web site

if the code still does not clear I suspect either the other sensor is also bad, you replaced the one in question incorrectly, or if you jumed it you did not get a good splice

 

Nope. None of the above. Hence my post.

Was just wondering how many days it takes for the light to go out for those who have experienced this.

 

others who've asked for this info reported the sensor lite went off immediately. I myself have never let pads get so far down as to warrant a sensor trigger on those I've helped maintain - and my 02 did not have sensors.

"when you are sure everything is right
and the program still does not work
something you are sure of
is wrong"

from my programming days . . .

 

I have heard, but not actually seen that 4 or so engine cycles....many have also said it went out as soon as the sensor was replaced or defeated by twisting the wires togather to bypass it......this seems to have more truth to it IMO as the circurit is just a wire that gets abraded and broken to turn on the light. Either way....not a huge differance.

 

Mine went out 15-20 sec after I started the car. I doesn%

 

Thanks guys. That's how I figured it should work. That it shouldn't take days.

I'll see if I can troubleshoot it from here.

 

Don't know what happened to my post Should have finished with it doesn't make sense to me that it would take 4 days for the light to go out after the brakes have been replaced.

 

recently changed my front brakes wondering how long it usually takes for the warning light to turn off after replacement

went with cross and slotted rotors, oem pads and SS brakelines and higher DOT fluid :D

thanx

 

If you replaced the wear sensors it ususally takes about 30 seconds or so.

 

As posted above, the protocol is to have the key in position 2 without starting the car and the warning light will go out if both sensors have continuity.

 

^if it does not go out after the protocol does it mean i need new sensors or can i have my local dealer "reset" the light?

thanx again!

 

If a sensor needed replacing then the 'protocol' does squat . . . a worn sensor needs to be replaced and THEN the protocol will reset the system.

 

gotcha

 

I took my 05 MCS to Les Schwab to have them inspect the brakes, as I was getting a LOT of movement in the wheel on braking from high speeds. They said the rotors were stock and throw away, and that they were 0.5 under and could not be turned... meaning I needed to do something IMMEDIATELY. SO 5 months later (3 days ago) I changed the rotors and pads. Old pads were actually in excellent shape which tells me that the person that had the car before me replaced the pads, and no the rotors. So anyways, new pads, new rotors. No problem. Wrong. I didn't think there was a problem until today, when my pad indicator light came on. I don't know what to do. IT never came on letting me know that the pads were worn. I changed them from the feel. They are great now. Excellent stopping power. I just want that GD light to go away. All 8 pads are good. Both sensors are good. And for the light to come on 3 days after a replacement? What gives? Any advice? Thanks in advance!

 

Just cut the sensor wire in the wheel well
then twist the sensor wires togeather
this will complete the circuit
extinguish the lite
Then monitor pad wear in the normal sensor free manner

 

It is possible the sensor wiggled free from the pad and was cut
Or it is simply unplugged
Check for both

 

Zippy,

I will try both of those today and let you know. Thank you for the input. Very disturbing issue.

Cheers!