I changed the front brake pads (dealer did rear last year), and changed out the electrical wear indicator. Dash still shows “change brake pads”. I hooked up my Schwaben scanner to see if there is something to reset but couldn’t find anything.
Is it normally required to reset something? Took drivers side wheel off today and checked the connection, no change. Tried a second electrical sensor, no change. The sensors aren’t branded and made in China but look and fit identical to original. Unfortunately the original went out with last weeks garbage.
Any ideas?

 

Ok, so tried the Schwaben again, spent a bit more time, and now says fault 5E5C DSC brake pad wear indicator. Clear the code, says there are no faults but immediately comes back again.

 

The behavior suggests to me the fault lies with one (or more) wear sensors.

A person smarter than me might be able to offer a bench test procedure to verify the sensors don't have a dead short or a broken wire that if present could account for the persistent brake pad wear indicator.

 

I would double or triple check the rear sensor, too. The wear indicator in the service menu might not be telling you if its the front or rear sensor.

 

Yep +1 when it clears and come back that mean the fault is still there. Broken wire or pin is not making connection in the socket

 

To the best of my knowledge, the wear sensors are simply a wire loop with the section on the break pad encased in plastic/epoxy that gets worn away and open circuits. With a multimeter, make sure there is continuity between the 2 pins on the new one (you can probably get to the connector with the wheel on but turned) If its open circuit, you can't reset the sensor.

 

Also, you can disconnect the sensor and simple jumper between the main harness two connections to bypass the sensor and if there is a problem still then it is somewhere upstream in the system...

 

Thanks for the advice. I ordered an OEM wear sensor. I am away from my Mini but will check for continuity when home. I don’t suspect the rear sensors but you are correct that the warning doesn’t differentiate front or rear. The front sensor removed was definitely worn, but rear pads and sensor were replaced previously so last thing to check. Other possibility is damaged the wiring when removed the originl?….those wires are tiny! Will report when issue is found. Thanks!