Learn from my ‘Error’😉

my 2019 Cooper has 15k. Last week it threw the ‘Brake sensor’ light. I had 100K on my 2007 that I sold in November 2018, I had done several brake jobs & feel comfortable in DIY. Over that couse of 100K I learned the rear brake pads last a Lot longer than the fronts.

so when my 2019 threw that sensor light at 15K - here it starts again😉 got on line, ordered front sensors & Pads (somehow I thought they one on each wheel? Pulled front wheels, learned only 1 sensor - however, I started with front right (no sensor). Pulled left, saw where sensor had only a slight amount of wear?? However, I know it does not take much to break that ‘wire’. Pads were worn but still ‘meat’

changed pads, insralled new Sensor. All done - went to reset dash light.... “Failed”

got on the internet - lots of chatter about Failed Resets & Lots of posts on what to do. Spent the next day - doing all suggested. Still, Fail?? Took old sensor and cut off worn sensor and twisted wires together - Old trick to bypass sensor😉 Installed that and still “Fail”
SOB😉
light bulb in my head finally said - Check rear??

first went and found cut off old sensor - got out my multi meater to check ‘Continuity’ It was GOOD?? Worn slightly but evidently not enought - Oh well.

so, back right wheel OFF - pulled sensor - More wear than front - Pads looked the same?? Got multi meeter - that sensor tested ‘BAD’

well what do ya know.

NEVER would I have thought the REAR sensor would wear thru Before the Front.

love my Mini but like my 2007 - Hate the brakes..

here are 2 pictures.

 

Weird, my 2019 has 31,000 miles and still on the factory brakes (and most of the miles are rally miles with my local MINI club). Though, the car is telling me that the front pads need to be changed in approximately 1,118 miles (yes, it's that specific). Speaking of, your car didn't specify which pads needed to be changed, front or rear? And on a related note, I'm planning to do rotors at the same time. I have a 'thing' about only replacing pads.

 

I went back and read my post - guess I did not make ir clear to you.

from past experience, front usually wears faster - changed front pads due to wear on sensor. Would Not reset -

pulled and looked at rear - that sensor was much More worn - That was the problem. Sense I did Not have new rear pads or new rear sensor. I CUT the rear semsor off and tirped the wire together - Faking a new aensor. System Reset just fine.

so, front pad sensor starting to wear but NOT enough to show Light. Rear pad sensor wore enough to show light.

I have those pads and sensor on order, die to arrive tomorrow.

called froend at Mini service. He told me it is common to have sensor wear to throw light at 20k

you on borrowed time,👍👍

 

just for your chewing pleasure ....

Today's MINI and this mostly applies to GEN2 as well .... a later MINI has TWO systems watching brake wear (in 2002 there was NO system at all, sensors came later but I digress)

1) there is a computer based system which is a miles counter like the oil change predictor. It 'assumes' brakes will last XX miles and counts down with some adjustments over time as the computer 'learns' your driving style.

2) the physical sensor in the brake assembly (left front right rear outer pad only). This is nothing more than a loop of wire encased in plastic held in place on/in the pad near the rotor. When the pad gets thin this plastic piece begins to contact the rotor and wears down with the pad. When the pad gets 'thin enuf' the plastic is worn enuf that the wire loop is broken. The broken wire causes an open circuit and the car computer says "time for new pads".

Neither of these systems is perfect ...... I've had the counter go off and a visual check told me I had nearly HALF of the pad left. <I reset the counter thru the dash stalk and went another 15,000 on the pads.> I've had the sensor go off too with plenty of meat on the pads.

TO ME either of these 'alerts' simply means do a VISUAL CHECK of the pads .... it is EASY. A qwik check can be done THRU the wheels and a better check is EASY while rotating tires and the wheel is off.

KNOW what to look for???

rule of thumb ... when the pad thickness is less than the thickness of the backing plate you are in new pad territory!

here's a nearly new MINI pad with some white added to the backing plate so ya can visualize . . .

notice the thickness versus the backing plate AND on this OE pad, the bevel .... note that the end on the bevel is where the thickness MATCHES the thickness of the backing plate ......

Here's a worn MINI pad

note thickness of pad versus backing plate .... EASY to see on a qwik eyeball check

also note for this OE pad (and many aftermarkets) the bevel is no longer visible ..... also an EASY eyeball check

 

Thanks for the “Chewing” info - I am well aware of 99% of it. / had forgotten only 2 sensors.
You presented good reason for cutting off the bad sensor shen activated - cutting & tying the wires together. Allows you to use the rest of the pad