So after doing a bit of high speed braking a couple of months ago, my brake light came on and i got the "check brake linings" warning. I took the car to BMW but they said that the pads and rotors were fine. However, for some odd reason they didn't clear the warning light on my dash (i.e. they didn't replace the broken brake pad sensor). I went in the other day and asked them if they could tell me which sensor was tripped so I could order a replacement online and put it in myself. They wanted to write it up and charge me an hour of labor, so I said no thanks and walked out. Is there a way that I can pull some sort of code that tells me which sensor it is so I can replace it myself?
if the car's computer could tell you, it could probably only tell you with a GT1, i.e., at the dealer.
However, one would expect that it would be the front sensor, unless you have gotten new front brakes without doing the rears. There are two sensors on the car, one in front/back, one on the left/right.
Dave Z sells the sensors, and I don't think they are specific. I could be wrong. They're not expensive either. Maybe 16 per?
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if the car's computer could tell you, it could probably only tell you with a GT1, i.e., at the dealer.
However, one would expect that it would be the front sensor, unless you have gotten new front brakes without doing the rears. There are two sensors on the car, one in front/back, one on the left/right.
Dave Z sells the sensors, and I don't think they are specific. I could be wrong. They're not expensive either. Maybe 16 per?
Exactly. It would take them two seconds to tell me which one it is, but they wanted to charge me an hour of labor. I subtly let the service guy know I was not happy and left.
A bad front sensor would make more sense, but I want to be sure. On Dave Z's site there are listings for a front and rear sensor, so I think that they might be specific. God knows what BMW charges for a new sensor; that's why I want to replace it myself.
I can't remember what the price is for the M5 sensor, but I got sensors for my wifes Mercedes G500 for $3.56 apiece from Amazon, of all places. You could replace them both in the amount of time you have spent going to the dealer to talk about the problem.
Steve
00 M5
Last edited by TurboCarrera; 13th January 2009 at 15:25.
If you own an M5 you should be able to afford both sensors. Just order 'em both...install...and move on. If you happen to visually confirm the bad one during install I suppose you could return the unused one.
Good luck!
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The front sensor is p/n 3435222901, it's on the left front caliper, the rear sensor is p/n 34351163066 and located on the right rear caliper.
The only difference is the length of the cable between the pad and the connector, the front cable is a little longer. If you pull the connector off the inner pad and look at it you will see a small copper strip that can easily fall out. Sometimes it will stick to the pad when you pull the connector off. When the pads get to thin the pad end get worn away by rubbing on the rotor which breaks the copper strips, causing the brake wear sensor light to come on.
If your pads are good, it's possible there is too much brake dust in the end that plugs into the pad and the connection is poor. If you are sure the pads are OK take off the wheel and pull the sensor off. Watch for the U shaped copper part, it could fall out. Clean and reassemble, then reset the brake light if everything looks OK.
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