Brake sensors

[WhisperingWillow]

I purchased a 520d a few months ago from a dealership that replaced the brake pads and discs prior to my acquisition of the vehicle. I brought the automobile to BMW for servicing, and it indicated a requirement for brake pad maintenance; however, I informed them that it had already been completed. They completed the remainder of the service. A few days ago, the brake pad warning light illuminated, indicating that the brake pads require replacement, but I am aware that they do not. BMW will not reset it as they did not install the brake pads. Do you have any suggestions for resolving this issue so it no longer appears on my dashboard? I attempted to reset it, but it is unfeasible as the car believes it requires completion.
Thank you very much

[johnmayerrr]

Did the garage also repair the wear sensors, considering that the brake pads may have been replaced previously? Once the car or sensors indicate a need for replacement, or if the sensors have beyond their lifespan, they must be replaced to eliminate the warning, I believe.


The procedure to reset the brake service light for a BMW 520d (F10/F11 or G30 chassis) can be executed via the BC button on the turn signal stalk or the odometer reset button on the instrument cluster.


Essential Prerequisites:

Installation of new brake pads and a new brake wear sensor is required for the reset to function properly. The sensor is a disposable device that interrupts the circuit when utilised.
The electronic parking brake must be disengaged.
Your foot must be removed from the brake pedal.

Reset Protocol (utilising the BC stalk button)

Activate the ignition without initiating the engine by pressing the Start/Stop button once for F-chassis or three times for G-chassis, without applying pressure on the brake pedal.
Shut all doors and await the clearance of any preliminary warning messages from the instrument cluster.
Utilise the BC button located at the end of the turn signal stalk to go around the instrument cluster display until the date/time or trip odometer is visible.
Depress and maintain pressure on the BC button until the service warning indicators manifest.
Press the BC button briefly and frequently to navigate among the many service options (front brakes, rear brakes, brake fluid, etc.) until the preferred item is highlighted.
After the desired service is shown, press and hold the BC button one more until "Reset?" is displayed.
Depress the button, then press and hold it again until the progress meter completes and "Reset Successful" or "Resetting" appears.

Deactivate the ignition. The warning light should now be extinguished.

[WhisperingWillow]

I appreciate your response. I have attempted to reset it as you described, but it consistently indicates that the reset was unsuccessful. The vehicle likely perceives that the brake pads require replacement. It is peculiar that the warning light has activated nearly two months after the garage allegedly failed to repair the sensors.

[KOOLCAR]

My comprehension is that if the brake pads are replaced prior to the sensor's detection (with the circuit remaining intact), the sensor remains functional until the pads deteriorate, resulting in a circuit interruption and subsequently a "low brake pad warning." Therefore, if the pads were replaced before the sensor issued a warning, it should not activate a few months later unless the garage did not actually replace the pads. It is not uncommon for unscrupulous garages to engage in such deceptive practices.

[WhisperingWillow]

🫠

[NevoBMW320i]

Examine the sensor wire; if it is shorted, sever it and connect the ends leading into the plug box within the inner guard, then reset the light.

[WhisperingWillow]

The pads are quite new; perhaps the real sensors were never replaced.Prior to the illumination of the warning light, the display indicated that brake pad service was required after a specified number of miles. As soon as the mileage reached zero, the warning lights activated.

[NevoBMW320i]

The handbrake must be engaged to reset; nevertheless, it appears that the sensor was not replaced.

[nicebubby8]

The sensors were either worn and not replaced, defective, or you attempted to reset them with the parking brake engaged. Five series equipped with an electronic parking brake must have be disengaged for a reset.

[NAVITEL]

I suspect that the parking brake was engaged during the reset.
Did they replace both the front and rear brake pads?