[sos_85]

Hi all,

I've just had the rear pads on my E90 320d replaced by a friend of mine who runs a workshop that deal with everything from pre-war Bugatti's to Ferrari Enzo's. He gets all parts from BMW but doesn't charge me much labour.

After the change i followed the necessary procedure to reset the rear brake pad interval status. This went fine, however, I noticed that the front pads were due to be changed in 2,900 miles. My friend checked the pads and said there was plenty on there to last me until February when i'll be going in for some new rear tyres. Due to this i tried to reset the front pad interval status, but the result was a yellow front pad status saying -------miles until they need changing, i tried resetting again several times, but same old story. When driving I now have the brake warning light - (!) - on in red on the dash and when i turn the car off the Vehicle Inspection symbol (a car on a ramp in the air) is shown in red.

I read in a book he ahead re: resetting service indicators, that you can't reset any service indicator if it is less then 80% expired without diagnostic equipment (So lets say reset pads show 10,000 miles and I reset at 2,900 miles left, then i've reset it at 71% expired!)

So as you can see i know the cause, but do you know the solution without having to take it to BMW who will no doubt charge me a fortune to sort it out and tell me off for fiddling with the system.

Sorry for the long winded explanation, i just wanted to give as much info as possible!

Thanks for any help you can give!

Rich

[seanblee]

It's because you've tried to reset the service counter without replacing the pad wear sensor on the front, which the computer doesn't like. Think the only option to clear it now is to replace the pads and the sensor and reset it again, unless perhaps a dealer has another way to do it?

[greatbm]

Originally Posted by sos_85

Hi all,

I've just had the rear pads on my E90 320d replaced by a friend of mine who runs a workshop that deal with everything from pre-war Bugatti's to Ferrari Enzo's. He gets all parts from BMW but doesn't charge me much labour.

After the change i followed the necessary procedure to reset the rear brake pad interval status. This went fine, however, I noticed that the front pads were due to be changed in 2,900 miles. My friend checked the pads and said there was plenty on there to last me until February when i'll be going in for some new rear tyres. Due to this i tried to reset the front pad interval status, but the result was a yellow front pad status saying -------miles until they need changing, i tried resetting again several times, but same old story. When driving I now have the brake warning light - (!) - on in red on the dash and when i turn the car off the Vehicle Inspection symbol (a car on a ramp in the air) is shown in red.

I read in a book he ahead re: resetting service indicators, that you can't reset any service indicator if it is less then 80% expired without diagnostic equipment (So lets say reset pads show 10,000 miles and I reset at 2,900 miles left, then i've reset it at 71% expired!)

So as you can see i know the cause, but do you know the solution without having to take it to BMW who will no doubt charge me a fortune to sort it out and tell me off for fiddling with the system.

Sorry for the long winded explanation, i just wanted to give as much info as possible!

Thanks for any help you can give!

Rich

Were there any warning lights after the rear reset? If so the sensor for the front is touching the disc and requires change along with new pads then a reset. You are right about the percentage expired but you should have left the fronts alone till the change even if the figure shows into minus as this is only a guide on driving styles. If the lights were showing you would have just had to keep an eye on the wear by visual through the wheel. I think the only way forward is keep an eye on the pads and live with the warning lights till your change.

[sos_85]

Thanks for the responses. i feared as much. I'll just have to hang on until I change the fronts. The car stops fine and the front pads have plenty left on them, so safety isn't an issue. Next time i'll leave the service indicators well alone unless i've changed the part! Hope you all had a great Christmas, thanks again.

Rich

[zltm089]

Do you guys know how to reset manually? I'm facing a similar issue....

[Tunna_uk]

You can only reset with a new sensor fitted. No way around this.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Tunna_uk

You can only reset with a new sensor fitted. No way around this.

What about if you disconnect then reconnect the same sensor via its plug (as long as its not worn down of course)?

Surely the sensors aren't unique or coded in some way that it can tell?

[Tunna_uk]

if it wasn't worn down, it would reset. So it must be worn down.

[NFS]

The red warning light on the dash is for the wear sensor, which is a different system to the countdown indicator.

The countdown indicator will automatically go to yellow as this is now the 'next' service item (since you have done the rears).

The red light on the dash indicates a definite problem with a wear sensor. My guess is that this has not been properly fitted for the new rear pads.

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by NFS

The red light on the dash indicates a definite problem with a wear sensor. My guess is that this has not been properly fitted for the new rear pads.

Very good point!....I actually got the rear/ front brake discs and pads changed last year in august and so far it has done less than 5k miles. I got it changed at BMW Tring because they gave me a fairly cheaper price since I bought the car from them.

I requested to keep my old brake discs and pads....as I always suspected them to be dodgy and was worried they wouldn't fit new parts on my car...


Looks like either, they wrongly fitted the sensors or they just didn't bother replacing the sensors!...on the invoice it states that sensors, discs, pads and lube were changed!...

Brand new pads and sensors.....after 5k miles....I only drive on the A4 and M4!!!....COME ON...DON'T GIVE ME SPIRITED DRIVING DSC EXCUSE!

FUCKIN THIEVES...Even though your paying them BMW prices, they still fuck up things!...


Birds (great honest and knowleable people btw) checked the brakes today...and they're ok....its just the sensors!...

so BMW Tring must have fucked me over again....

[willhollin]

My warning light flashed up yesterday.

Error code 71 - brake pads worn.

When the car was in the dealer at the end of January the brakes were checked and were fine. Have done less than a thousand miles since then and nothing, then all of a sudden both rear and front need replacing according to the OBC.

Don't know whether it is a coincidence, but we got stuck in a muddy field yesterday, had to be pushed out. (Hazards of dogging I guess .)

[lamia2super]

I have a similar situation, but in my case when I reset the brakes it work, but then I went back the a day later and held the reset button again and now it doesnt show me the mileage and is lit up in yellow

heres a picture