So it's time to replace my brake pads and as I think of myself as being pretty knowledgable about when I ought to change my brake pads , I find the factor brake pad sensor warning gizmo an insult to my ego! Anyone know how to disable the warning light without having to replace the senor and simply tie it off?

 

When fitting a BBK we simply remove it from the pad and zip tie to the strut housing. The sensor is a ground path so it must be place where it does not ground out or the warning lamp will light up.

'Least that's all I've done with them here fitting kits. I am open to alternatives.

 

Do all minis have this option? mine is an 03 and i never had a warning. Personally I like this idea.

 

This should be on all coopers... it's a neat feature, but annoying if you change your own brakes. The local dealer charge $15 for the rear sensor wire when I did mine. Like an idiot, I put it back on... I figured if I ever sold the car, the new owner would want it on... Next change, i'm going to tie it off....

 

My Hawk rear pads didn't come w/wear sensor slots so I simply removed the wiring harness and just used a short piece of small diameter wire to bridge between the two receptacle contacts of the connector where the harness is removed. It's a little difficult to reach up there but it can be done. You can leave the harness in place if you wish and tie it up out of the way but it's a lot neater to simply remove it.

 

If your warning light is on then the sensor has been worn through and circuit "opened" (as someone else mentioned). If you cut the sensor wire (say 4" back from the caliper) and slit the sheath open, there are 2 single conductor wires inside. Shave some insulation off them and twist the ends together (the part of the wire leading into the body, not the part left attached to the caliper!). Tape it up and you're done. This will close the circuit and turn the warning light off. Tried and tested - it works!

 

02 and early 03 Minis DO NOT have the pad wear sensor.