Hey all,
I'm in need of new brakes on our Cooper Cabrio and I'm not sure if i need to buy 4 brake sensor or 2?

In the "how to" section there is a write up that says these cars have one in front and one in the rear, but NAPA specifies 2 front and 2 rear for my car.

Anyone knows for sure?

 

One front, one rear....
So 2 sensors. Only one needs to be tripped to set the light.
After connecting the new sensor, let the car sit for about 30 seconds with the key in the on postion if I remember right, not running, and the computer will reset the light. It could be accessory postion for 30 sec....
You have just learned why vendors here are so useful, and big box stores are next to useless with a mini...much of their info is wrong....just like their SC belt info, just plain wrong.

 

Yea, their info is confusing.

My light is not on yet, but i know that the pads are worn and they have just started to squeal a little. So will be replacing the pads with either EBC Green Stuff or PBR Organic from Napa.

 

Some pads sold by non mini vendors may lack the slot for the sensor...
If your pads don't have the slot, you can bypass the sensor... Just connect it, but don't mount it, or just cut the old sensor wire, and twist the ends together...and tuck it out of the way.

 

So if the sensors have not been used up yet (no light) can they be installed onto the new brake pads?

 

Yes, Mini pad sensors are not built into the pads and can be removed and connected onto the new pads.

 

The first set of factory pads/sensor is often glued in...so when you try to seperate it from the backer plate of the pad, it tears appart...only an issue with your first brake change...
The sensor wires are only about $20, so having it handy tonuse is pretty cheap..just save it for next time!!

 

Thanks Zippy... didn't know the factory issued pads have sensors glued to them. I don't know why MINI doesn't make them like this. The pads on my VW comes with sensors, even the aftermarket brands.

Oh wait, separate into smaller components and make more $. It all makes sense now!!!

 

Now you are thiking like a beancounter!!
As the Mini doctor I perscribe one club motoring event monthly!!
On a serious note, not sure all the cars come from the factory with the sensor glued in, but my 05 S did, had a dab of glue/epoxy...seems to make sense from a production line ease/speed of install thing....
Functionaly it just means even if the light is not lit, the sensor may need replacement the first time around cause you can destroy it when separating it from the pads's backer plate.

 

If the sensor has not lit the light it may be reused. Yes they are glued in with loads of brake dust & other carp. You can carefully remove & reuse them, but that doesn't always work. Have new sensors just in case they get damaged during the removal.

 

Or don't.
I hamfistedly destroyed my front sensor (the sensor slips out from the TOP of the pad ), but just tied it out of the way. Reality is, if you're doing your own brakes, odds are you don't need the car to tell you when to do it again.

 

Eric I tied mine out of the way not long after I got my MINI. I replaced the coal dust pads with ceramics & figured I did not need the car telling me when I need brakes.