I am stumped. I have a 2011 Clubman. I'm in the US. I have watched videos and done searches. As I understand it, to reset my Brake warning light, I should do the following:

Insert Key
Cycle the (BC) button until SET/INfO shows
Hold SET/INFO until CHECK-INFO shows
Hold down right button on tach for 10 seconds until Service Indicators show
Press (BC) button to cycle through service indicators

I do fine until I get to CHECK-INFO. When I press and hold odo reset button it comes back with CHECK OK. When I press and hold BC button, it says HOME. I can't seem to get to service resets. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks

 

Do you have the car running when you do this? if yes then did you replace the brake pad sensors?

 

Tried it a couple of ways. With engine running and not. My main issue is not the actual reset, it's that I can't even get to the individual service settings. Shouldn't I be able to get from CHECK-INFO to scroll through the individual settings? I always go from CHECK-INFO to HOME or CHECK OK.

FYI, when I went to the dealer a month or so ago (nothing to do with brakes) and he said something like the brakes were scheduled to be replaced soon. I took that to mean a date or mileage warning would pop soon. It's possible the sensor tripped. I'm just trying to check and figure out whether it's a scheduled warning or an actual problem. I plan to do the brakes myself in the spring if possible. If I have to replace them now, I'll have to do it with a shop as I have no garage and it's c-c-c-c-old outside.

 

Here is a link to our website on how to reset the brake service light. If the light doesn't reset then you need to replace the sensor as it is faulty.

Detroit Tuned Brake Light Reset

 

OK, did that.

Got to the rear brake icon. Held button etc and got to RESET. Held it and the clock icon appeared and then it said mls -380. No matter what I did, it doesn't seem to want to reset. I thought seeing the miles meant it was a mileage based warning and not necessarily a sensor. Or does that mean the sensor is toast and needs to be replaced?

 

You didn't change the brakes yet, why would it reset? Seems normal to me.

 

Maybe that's my issue. When I went to Mini service a month or so ago, (I thought) the guy said hey, your rear brake warning will come on in 1100 miles. So I thought it was mileage based and it came on right around 60k miles. When it came on, I called Mini and they said it was probably just a warning. So I thought I could reset the warning and then wait till the actual sensor failed or the pads started screeching (I assume there's a wear thingie in there that screeches when the pads are low). But... if this is a failure based warning then yes, I get that. I know I will need brakes soon, but maybe I need brakes now. The thing is that if I need them now, it goes to the shop. If it can wait until it warms up, I'll do it in the driveway.

Bottom line, I'm trying to figure out if its a warning or a failure, and if it's a warning, can I reset it.

 

Think of the liability a carmaker would be under if you could kill the end of life bake pad warning. Replace and be safe.

 

Ok, clearly I'm not communicating very well. I'll figure it out some other way.

Yes, I will absolutely get my brakes done when the pads are worn out and before it's a safety hazard. All I wanted to know is if the warning light is a programmed mileage based warning or an actual mechanical failure. If it's a mileage based warning, maybe I can reset the light and wait until the spring to do the brake job WITHOUT it being a safety hazard. If it's a mechanical issue, I need to do it now.

Thanks for the responses. I'll figure it out.

 

AFAIK the sensor is a wire that breaks when the pads have reached a certain point of wear. That cuts the circuit and you get a CEL. The mileage figure is based on your driving patterns and isn't an exact science. At least that is what I think happens.

Maybe someone else will correct me if I'm not correct.

 

I think I understand what you're referring to because I did two brake jobs myself both front and rear. The 1st time the warning light came on I replaced just the front pads and was able to reset the mileage without replacing the brake sensor. The 2nd time I replace the front pads I was not able to reset after many attempts. It was only when I replaced the sensor I was then able to reset the mileage.

I'm guessing it's both mechanical and/or mileage based it just depends. The pad wear both times were approximately the same. Best way is to visually inspect how much pad you have left and decide for yourself.

 

The brake light is based on mileage and tripping of the sensor, the sensor is a closed loop that once broken trips a light. You won't be able to reset the brake light if you need sensors.

When are you due for a brake flush according to the LCD screen?

The second gen cars go less distance with the light on than the gen 1 cars do, there is less of a buffer between warning and get them done now. You probably have 2-3 weeks based on your driving.