I just changed my front brakepads, and I can't work out how to reset the service indictor, which is currently saying 3300 miles to go.

I've found two sets of instructions, one from the TIS which involves holding down the trip reset button as you turn the car on. I can't make that one work at all, and it says it just resets an internal value, not the miles to go.

I found one which involves holding down both buttons in the tach as you turn the car on. That one got me into the service menu, and even gave me the option to reset the service indicator. When I told it to reset it, it showed a little clock icon for a while and then did nothing visible. The front brakes still say they need changing in 3300 miles.

 

Try this thread.

You say you did the service mode reset, but it didn't? I did exactly what this thread says to do, and it worked for me...

 

Maybe bad wear sensors, or did you replace those too? Same thing happened to me with the rears but that was the cause of my service light refusing to reset.

 

+1, this could be it too.

 

I had to replace both the front and rear brake wear sensor. I thought it was a proximity sensor, but it is actually a wear bar that starts the countdown timer on the computer. You can buy them pretty cheap through Rockauto.com. I plugged them into the harness and then zip tied them up and out of the way. I have the wheels off enough to be able to check the pads myself.

 

I don't have the brake warning light on, my sensor hasn't gone. I'm trying to reset the miles to service, not the service light.

That procedure is exactly what I was referring to, I've done it and I'm still at 3300 miles to service.

 

Couple questions -

1. Have you verified that it is the front brake indicator that is down to 3300 and not one of the other services?

2. Was the indicator for the front brakes actually counting down prior to the pad change?

My guess is that you have in fact tripped the front brake sensor since the mileage to go was so low. I think once the initial "trip" is made it starts counting down from like 8000 or 9000. So you were into that portion of the sensor where it is partially tripped. If so, you have to replace the sensor to be able to reset the service countdown.

 

Its definitely the front bakes that are 3300. Rears are down to 7000, Oil 4100, and inspection 6000 (but its due next month, so its showing yellow).

The fronts were counting down, and are still counting down before/after the change. The pads have 4-5mm so I wasn't expecting the sensor to have gone. I thought the sensor was one shot, once its gone the light goes on.

 

The sensors are actually two-stage. See this page from Bentley. You can see on that page that they provide a testing procedure, so maybe you can figure out whether that is it with having to just replace it and hope it works.

 

Pity they didn't put that page in the manual (or I didn't find it).

Having a two stage sensor would explain some weirdness when the brake countdown suddenly drops several thousand miles. That'd be the first stage popping.

I've ordered some sensors.

 

I installed a new sensor, and now the reset set the service indicator back to 20,000. I tried putting the old one back in to see what the miles would change to, but it stayed at 20,000.

 

I checked the old sensor and it is reading 470ohm, which indicates a half worn sensor.

 

My front break service light just appeared in my dash this morning.

I tried (several times today) to reset it (in the menu, by holding the BC button). The clock goes 'round beside the word "reset", but doesn't reset, still mark "km -40" and the light "break" is still red in my dash!

I did it once for the service light and worked well!!

Is it because I didn't change my front brake? I will do it in two weeks... Can't imagine driving with the RED BRAKE always in my face!!

 

I had to replace both the front and rear brake wear sensor.

 

The reset only works if you have a fresh sensor.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Btwyx

The reset only works if you have a fresh sensor.

Not so, unfortunately.

I just did a complete brake job on my 2009 JCW - new pads (Carbotech), new rotors, and new wear sensors. I followed the directions in the overpriced Bentley manual and it didn't work.

I took the car into the dealer (for unrelated work) and asked them to please reset the brake (and oil change) warnings and the service rep informed me that Mini has changed Company policy on this and that dealers are no longer permitted to reset the warnings unless the repair work has been done by the dealership! Furthermore, the reset procedure mentioned in the Bentley book has apparently been disabled in newer vehicles. The reason stated was "potential liability issues". IOW, simply resetting the warning is considered by the Company to be tacit approval by them of repairs they did not perform, which may potentially put them at risk of a lawsuit.

To say that I'm pissed about this is an understatement.

I understand their position - but this is MY CAR and I should have full and unfettered access to ALL its functions, without any meddling or interference on the part of its manufacturer. I would be happy to sign a waiver of their responsibility in this matter, but that's apparently not on the options list on the window sticker.

So now, I want to know how to hack the OBC. It belongs to ME and I think I have a clear right to do that.

And while I'm on the soapbox, I might add that the software that runs accessories on this car is really substandard in many respects. Why no updates from the factory? E.g., the climate control system has a really terribly designed interface (my 1982 Toyota Cressida was a lot better) but why does it often "forget" how I'd set it last time I drove the car? And the USB interface to a thumb drive full of MP3s is pathetic. God help you if you want to listen to something by ZZ Top. You'll wear out your wrist cranking that **** around!

Tom S

 

There are 2 variations on the reset procedure I've seen. Maybe you need to find the other one.

 

My experience so far has been if the service indicator is in RED it is NOT resettable. If its in Yellow it is. Any one care to confirm or deny this observation? I replaced brake pads all around on my 2010 MINI and the Front brakes were a yellow indicator while the back brakes were RED.
I actually BROKE the front pad sensor..I simply shorted the two wires together and tucked it up into the engine compartment for now.
In any event, the Front brake service indicator cleared while the rear one did not.

 

Any new info on the light reset for yellow brake?? I just did yellowstuff pads, were not needed at all, but have a yellow check front brake light and wont reset as per 2 sets of instructions I have used for oil light after I change oil as well. I have a 2012 R58. I did NOT replace sensors.

 

Totally figured this out! All worky now!

 

May I ask how you got it to work? My front brake sensor were perfect but I changed it anyway while I was changing the pads. The original pad still indicates 27000 left before I did the change. Now after new pad and new sensor, I can't reset it. There's a check mark next to the reset. I would be appreciate for any idea, thanks.