This article provides guidelines on how to replace the BMW brake pad wear sensor, how to reset brake warning light & message, the pros and cons of bypassing the sensor, and more.
This guide focuses only on the brake wear sensor and assumes you have already replaced the brake pads.
BMW brake wear sensor is nothing more than a wire that runs at the tip of the sensor. 12-volt typically feeds the sensor at all times.
Once the brake pads wear out, the sensor's tip where the wire runs are cut as well, which opens the circuit.
The brake or DSC module will see high resistance now there is an open circuit at the sensor triggering a fault code such as 5F12, 5F13, 5F14, 5F14, 5F16.
This guide focuses only on the brake wear sensor and assumes you have already replaced the brake pads.
BMW brake wear sensor is nothing more than a wire that runs at the tip of the sensor. 12-volt typically feeds the sensor at all times.
Once the brake pads wear out, the sensor's tip where the wire runs are cut as well, which opens the circuit.
The brake or DSC module will see high resistance now there is an open circuit at the sensor triggering a fault code such as 5F12, 5F13, 5F14, 5F14, 5F16.
Table of Contents
Symptoms
The following message may remain on the instrument cluster even when you replace the brake pads. " iDrive Message: Brake Pads are worn to the minimum depth. Have the pads replaced by the nearest BMW center."
Brake Warning Light On Dashboard |
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Service Vehicle Symbol with a car on the lift. |
Fault Codes
- 5F12 DSC Brake pad wear, front axle, brake pads
- 5F15 DSC Brake pad wear, rear axle plausibility.
What you will need
Procedure
- Determine if you are replacing a front or rear brake pad wear sensor.
- Jack up the vehicle and remove the wheel. If replacing the front brake pad sensor, jack up the driver's side wheel. If replacing the rear brake pad sensor, jack up the passenger side wheel. Remove the wheel from the vehicle.
- Locate the brake pad wear sensor on the brake pad.
- Use a flat head screwdriver to pry out the old sensor.
- Unhook the sensor from the brake caliper release valve.
- Unhook the sensor wire from the strut bracket by pulling it out of the bracket.
- Open the black box mounted on the wheel well. Inside you will find the connector.
- Pull the connector out of the box. Press the release tab on the connector and separate the wires.
- Install the new sensor in reverse order.
Reset BMW Brake Pad Wear Reminder
There are two methods to reset the BMW brake wear sensor.
Reset BMW Brake Pad Sensor via Instrument Cluster
This video shows you how to reset the BMW brake light service reminder using the instrument cluster's buttons.
Instructions
- Turn ignition on but do not start the car.
- Press and hold the reset button on the side of the dashboard.
- After a few seconds, you will see the service menu at the center of the dashboard.
- Press the reset button several times until you see the symbol for the front or rear brakes.
- With the brake symbol on a small LCD, press and hold the reset button until you see the words RESET.
- When RESET displays on the screen, release the button and press it again for about 5 seconds to reset the brake light.
If the reset procedure is carried out successfully, the brake symbol in the small LCD will turn from RED to ORANGE.
Reset BMW Brake Light with an OBD-II Scanner
Another method to reset the BMW brake warning is to use a scan tool.
Many OBD-II scanners allow you to access the Condition Based Serving (CBS) menu and reset the brake mileage limit.
If you have tried method 1 but have been unsuccessful, the next step is to use a scanner.
In addition to resetting the brake light, a good scanner allows you to read fault codes from the DSC module and determine why the brake light won't reset.
In this case, we are using Foxwell Scanner for BMW, but other scanners offer this functionality.
Can I Bypass Brake Pad Wear Sensor?
Many BMW owners choose to bypass (delete) the brake wear sensor by removing the sensor and installing a clip or cutting the sensor wire, exposing the wires and connecting them.
This is known as short-circuiting the wire and emulates a "good" sensor but is not recommended.
CAUTION
It is not recommended to disable the BMW brake pad wear sensor permanently.
If you bypass the brake pad wear sensor, you will NOT know when your brakes are due for replacement. Your brake pads will wear completely until they reach the metal part, at which point you will have metal on metal contact.
Not only will your braking be reduced, but you will also hear a grinding noise, and your rotors will get damaged and require replacement as well.
How many brake pad sensors does a BMW have?
Typically two. One sensor is located on one front brake pad (left front). The second wear sensor is on the right rear brake pad.
What is BMW brake pad sensor resistance?
New Brake Pads: Zero resistance (or closed circuit).
Worn Pads: Infinity ohms ( open circuit) when the pads (sensor) wear out.
Where is the BMW brake pad sensor located?
Front left brake caliper. Mounted on the brake pad.
Rear right brake caliper. Mounted on the brake pad.
About Author
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Rushit Hila, ASE Certified Mechanic I have been working on vehicles for over 20 years. In 2016, I decided to start YOUCANIC so that I can empower vehicle owners all over the world. Currently, I hold an ASE certification on G1 Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair. ⏵ Read More |
