Hello All,

I'm buying a Countryman (2014 S ALL4) from a family member. When I test drove it yesterday I noted all four wheels had serious pad wear, with approximately 2mm left, at most. Yet absolutely no warning light on dash.

I ran a scanner, and no codes thrown. I confirmed with family member that last time they needed brakes, "they were grinding terribly, so I took them to the shop".

I can't do more troubleshooting until I get it, but worried I have a system wide problem here. My experience with BMWs suggest that when a key sensor like this fails, you'll get either a dash warning or most definitely a code in the OBDII.

And I'd think that a failed sensor would trigger a warning of some sort. But tons of wear and no light?

Has anyone run into a situation where they needed brake work and didn't get a notification? If so, what was the cause? And does anyone know if the sensor is damaged....is it's default action NOT to throw any sort of code?

Thanks!

John

 

Assuming when the brakes were done, the mechanic installed new sensors and reset the warning system, you would expect to see a service light is the brakes are down that far.

If they replaced the pads, and just tied the brake sensors out of the way, you won't see anything.

 

when you say tied them out of the way...are you literally saying they didn't reconnect the sensor at all (which would be insane...but possible I suppose). if the original owner has NEVER gotten any sort of warning light to get their brakes done, it makes me wonder if I have something bigger going on here - maybe something with a electrical short. i don't know enough about the schematics here or relays.

correct me if I'm wrong, but just like BMW branded cars/SUVs of this vintage, you guys get a visual notification about brakes (often a car on a lift) and a general wear indicator (5,000 miles left). Right? Not just the old style idiot light.

 

When you start the car, you'll get a "Service" indicator with a mileage number, but no indication of what service is due. When you dig into the ECU, you'll get an indication of the brake service indication mileage.

By "tie it out of the way", I mean they left the sensor connected, but didn't reinstall a new one on the pads.

 

Got it. Thanks Nik. I guess time will tell when I get my hands on it.

 

when you say tied them out of the way...are you literally saying they didn't reconnect the sensor at all (which would be insane...but possible I suppose). i

well I don't consider myself insane but I DID bypass the brake wear sensors on my '07

the sensor is a simple loop of wire thru the pad ... wear breaks the wire in the loop and triggers the 'alert"

clip off the sensor .... connect the two wire ends together .... DONE




WHY you may ask .........

folks who know how and routinely check their pad condition see this system as SILLY and not all that accurate.

 

No, I get it. I've got a long history with cars and check pads and rotors regularly too. But this car wasn't maintained by an individual but by the dealer. So if that scenario he laid out were true, it would be a problem - and should be for anyone who relies on a mechanic to tell them when their brakes are gone. If you read the original post you'll see when I questioned them, they said the grinding was very strong (it was pad backing on rotor that they heard - no warning light, no notice, etc).

Your own car? That's fine. It's your ride and if you're thorough, no harm. Someone else's, no way. That's just negligence.