When front pads and sensor are replaced, does the dash light go off by itself or will it need to be reset somehow?

If so, how is it reset ?

Thanks

 

I replaced my front sensor, then got cheap and decided just to splice the 2 wires leading to the back one together. After about a week, the light went out. Others have suggested turning the ignition to "on" and leaving it there for a few seconds to reset.

 

Yep, the brake wear sensors are sacrificial parts - once they've worn through and activated the warning light, you either have to replace them or bypass them by splicing the two wires together.

 

After replacement of the sensor with a new one, you simply turn the key to position 2 and wait a full 30 seconds, then turn the key off and then back on and start that car. And soon after that car starts the light will go off.

The sensor itself as a sort of bud or bump in it that faces the Rotor. When this bud wears through it breaks contact and lights up the light.

You can find pairs of them (one front and one back) on embay for under 20 bucks. There seems to be a different one for each end. Front and back. I think its primarily the little wiring harness though.

 

Thanks for the info, I don't know why I don't come here first. I had looked in Bentley service manual and couldn't find the reset procedure.

 

I don't think there is any "reset procedure". Put in new sensors (or short the wires) and the light goes out.

- Mark

 

found this buried on the Mini Mania listing for the sensor:

"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! "

 

Could be wrong, but I don't think you need to wait the 30 seconds before running the engine. IOW, the light will reset within 30 seconds of turning the ignition on no matter what you do. At least it did on mine (Gen 1).

- Mark

 

I can neither confirm or deny. I posted this several times in the past in response to this recurring question and rec'd thanks.

Myself and the others I help to maintain their MiNiS: I eyeball check pad thickness against backplate thickness and have replaced pads b4 a sensor ever needed to be replaced. {My 02 didn't have sensors. }

Seat of the pants check: look at pad thickness - when the pad material is thinner then the backplate - change the pads. I usually pull a wheel when I do an oil change and it is easy to give a good look to both the inner and outer pads of that wheel at that time. Not a perfect system but it works for me. And works on cars that don't have sensors..... Want picture examples to know what to look for?

 

LIGHTS OUT! - BRAKE PAD SENSOR RESET: Thanks to those who recommended that you turn the ignition to the ON (not start) and wait 30 seconds......after replacing worn sensors, I did this and out it went. PS ... to do the front sensor, you need to remove the front part of the wheel well mud guard to get to the sensor connection. Since I am a clutz at times, I removed the entire piece. Piece of cake. It took me longer to write this than it did to take it out.

 

this seriously helped me out today. Thanks for the post.

 

 

Turned the key to position #2 for 30 seconds and that did the trick. Thanks for the great advice.

Kevin

 

That did the trick! My mechanic told me it would reset itself after 10 or 20 miles but it did not. I tried your 30 second in position 2, then Off, then back to On and it worked. Thanks for the info.

 

Well I just put new pads and rotors on my 2003 Cooper S. I soldered the two wires together and shrink wrapped them.

Turned the ignition on and after a good 30 seconds or more the brake light went out.

 

Yes please.

A picture would be great.

I hit a pothole yesterday, but no light after driving for 5 minutes to my office.
After working for the day I was driving for only 2 minutes when I got the red brake light and car on hoist display.

I thought it was related to the big thump.

I hooked up INPA and translated the German error code to rear pad issue.

My thought process was it was a loose connection but after checking it was securely attached (sensor).

Maybe my rears DO have to be changed. Rough guess they are about 3 − 3.5 mm thick and yes, they are thinner then backing plate.

Time for new pads?????