"can't continue journey" true/false and if false, how long?
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Torrance, California
"can't continue journey" true/false and if false, how long?
so less than a week ago, my service light warned me something was wrong with my car and i had 1000 miles to fix it. being the very intelligent person i am, i thought i needed an oil change (i forgot how to click through the menus on the dash to find the true problem 
), anyways long story short, i really needed to get the rear brakes changed.
less than 2 days went by, and the 1000 miles dropped to 350. it's been at the 350 for the past 3 days and i've only driven about 150 miles in that time, but today the computer says i'm down to 0 miles and now all the related service lights stay on. i flipped through our handy dandy owner's manual, and the warning lights are in reference to the electrical system and the brakes. the "what to do" portion is telling me i "can't continue my journey and i have to contact the nearest mini dealer immediately." well i know what needs to be done, so no contact necessary.
i have the pads and sensor coming in today, and the rotors coming in tomorrow, but my first question is: can i really not continue my journey anywhere?? i have to go to school tomorrow morning (6-7 miles each way) before anyone can even look at the car, much less install. i understand most of the braking power is in the front wheels anyway, but i don't want to permanently damage anything. i'm guessing the rear sensor is finally starting to touch something and that's what's causing the permanent warning (for now). secondly, i can try to get them installed before the weekend, but can the brakes wait until saturday morning when my dad can change the parts, free of charge to me, or does this sound like an urgent issue?
it seems that technology is my best friend and worst enemy. my dad was saying the only computers he had for his car were the ones in his ear. me and the x generation... maybe i'm relying on the car too much to tell me what's wrong?
), anyways long story short, i really needed to get the rear brakes changed. less than 2 days went by, and the 1000 miles dropped to 350. it's been at the 350 for the past 3 days and i've only driven about 150 miles in that time, but today the computer says i'm down to 0 miles and now all the related service lights stay on. i flipped through our handy dandy owner's manual, and the warning lights are in reference to the electrical system and the brakes. the "what to do" portion is telling me i "can't continue my journey and i have to contact the nearest mini dealer immediately." well i know what needs to be done, so no contact necessary.
i have the pads and sensor coming in today, and the rotors coming in tomorrow, but my first question is: can i really not continue my journey anywhere?? i have to go to school tomorrow morning (6-7 miles each way) before anyone can even look at the car, much less install. i understand most of the braking power is in the front wheels anyway, but i don't want to permanently damage anything. i'm guessing the rear sensor is finally starting to touch something and that's what's causing the permanent warning (for now). secondly, i can try to get them installed before the weekend, but can the brakes wait until saturday morning when my dad can change the parts, free of charge to me, or does this sound like an urgent issue?
it seems that technology is my best friend and worst enemy. my dad was saying the only computers he had for his car were the ones in his ear. me and the x generation... maybe i'm relying on the car too much to tell me what's wrong?
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 3
From: H-town
Is your car out of the 3 year/36K mile maintenance plan? If not, MINI should be doing the brake job free as part of that. If you're out of the plan and going to do the job yourself anyway and replacing the rotors, probably won't hurt to go a bit longer.
Are the rear brakes making any metallic squealing noises. Look down on the rear brake calipers from an angle (through the spokes). You can see a backing plate and pad material sandwiched between the caliper and rotor. If there is material on the pad (closer to the rotor), you are generally OK. Check both sides.
If you are already going to change the pads and rotors tomorrow, it may be OK to run it a little. At least you still have front brakes.
It is afterall your choice here.
PS: I was at NHIS with a red MCS JCW whose rear brake light came on while he was on the track. When we took his brakes apart, his backing plate fell off and it did not have any pad left!
If you are already going to change the pads and rotors tomorrow, it may be OK to run it a little. At least you still have front brakes.
It is afterall your choice here.
PS: I was at NHIS with a red MCS JCW whose rear brake light came on while he was on the track. When we took his brakes apart, his backing plate fell off and it did not have any pad left!
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Torrance, California
thanks for the response.
my mini is at 37xxx miles and the service advisor said it would probably cost around $250 to get the rear brake pads and sensor changed. i'm not sure if he said that even included new rotors! so i went the aftermarket route.
as for the squealing noises, i haven't heard anything yet. and it appears that i still have some brake pad left... but after that story, i think i'll just play it safe and leave it parked.
that jcw's lights came on at the track and in that same day, there was no pad left? i definitely don't want that happening.
my mini is at 37xxx miles and the service advisor said it would probably cost around $250 to get the rear brake pads and sensor changed. i'm not sure if he said that even included new rotors! so i went the aftermarket route.
as for the squealing noises, i haven't heard anything yet. and it appears that i still have some brake pad left... but after that story, i think i'll just play it safe and leave it parked.
that jcw's lights came on at the track and in that same day, there was no pad left? i definitely don't want that happening.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: HSV, AL
You said you're changing the rotors too? So what's the worst that could happen if you drive around on little to no pad other than gouging your old rotors? Trying not to gouge the rotors is why you should change pads before they're completely gone but since you're replacing them anyway, don't worry about it so much. One thing you could do is reach in and feel the rotors to see if they're still smooth.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 5
From: Hauppauge, NY
thanks for the response.
my mini is at 37xxx miles and the service advisor said it would probably cost around $250 to get the rear brake pads and sensor changed. i'm not sure if he said that even included new rotors! so i went the aftermarket route.
as for the squealing noises, i haven't heard anything yet. and it appears that i still have some brake pad left... but after that story, i think i'll just play it safe and leave it parked.
that jcw's lights came on at the track and in that same day, there was no pad left? i definitely don't want that happening.
my mini is at 37xxx miles and the service advisor said it would probably cost around $250 to get the rear brake pads and sensor changed. i'm not sure if he said that even included new rotors! so i went the aftermarket route.
as for the squealing noises, i haven't heard anything yet. and it appears that i still have some brake pad left... but after that story, i think i'll just play it safe and leave it parked.
that jcw's lights came on at the track and in that same day, there was no pad left? i definitely don't want that happening.
It's still a lot more than a DIY, but $250 is a lot less than most dealer prices quoted here on NAM by other owners.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Torrance, California
finally got around to changing the brake pads today... what a job.
appears as though the previous owner just changed the pads without changing the rotors or sensor. upon trying to take off the caliper, the rotor had so many grooves, the caliper/brake pads wouldn't come off. we ended up having to grind the rotor down in order to release the caliper.
the brake pads were not even half worn, but the sensor was worn down to the metal, so i'm guessing that's culprit. now i just need to make a run to the dealer so reset my light. i tried to read the diy on how to reset the service lights but the wording was a little confusing.
glad i was able to get it down though.
thanks for all the help.
appears as though the previous owner just changed the pads without changing the rotors or sensor. upon trying to take off the caliper, the rotor had so many grooves, the caliper/brake pads wouldn't come off. we ended up having to grind the rotor down in order to release the caliper.
the brake pads were not even half worn, but the sensor was worn down to the metal, so i'm guessing that's culprit. now i just need to make a run to the dealer so reset my light. i tried to read the diy on how to reset the service lights but the wording was a little confusing.
glad i was able to get it down though.
thanks for all the help.
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