[AlphaHotelBravo]

Hi...

2013 F31 320D, 47K miles, serviced when required by the local independent garage.

Between us we can't get the brake service indicator to reset and stay reset. The garage has history on this - after almost every brake pad change (on this and my previous E91) I've been taking it back a few days later to get the service indicator reset - they forget, or don't do something properly.

I get on well with the garage, favours are done, they're very local, I wouldn't wish to change.

This time round, car was serviced and front brake pads changed in May 2020. I've done about 2000 miles since and pads are perhaps 25% worn.

The "check brake pad" warning has illuminated several times. It's been lockdown and my car use has been very irregular so I would struggle to say anything about frequency of occurence etc until recently when I took more notice.

I've had it reset by the garage twice and then discovered on here how to do it myself. I've followed instructions as per https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51049 and https://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415111.

In the past 6-8 weeks I've reset it myself about 8 or 10 times. I couldn't always get it to reset on the first pass but it always did eventually.

In the end I gave up and took it back a third time. I was told I'd reset it so often the computer said the pads were 30mm thick, and that was now reset to show 75% left.

All seemed OK - after this reset next front brake pad service due was showing as 9000 miles / May 2022.

However I've driven about 200 miles since in short trips and the service due indicator is plummeting - 470 miles, then 420, 370, 320 and now down to 200 miles. I've no doubt it'll trip again to "drive moderately and check brakes" soon. The next due date still showing as May 2022.

Can anyone help tell me what's going wrong here please? What have we missed? Is it hardware (maybe pad wear sensor, whch I'm assured was changed along with the pads last year)? Or software? Or UFT as we say at work? (user finger trouble...)

Help much appreciated - thank you!

[Billfitz]

I assume the sensors were replaced. If not that's the problem. I know that the dash/iDrive reset doesn't always work, sometimes you have to use an OBD tool to clear the pad replacement error code.

[AlphaHotelBravo]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I assume the sensors were replaced. If not that's the problem. I know that the dash/iDrive reset doesn't always work, sometimes you have to use an OBD tool to clear the pad replacement error code.

Sensors have been replaced (I'm told) but it seems entirely possible that a bit of cheap electronics will pack up in that environment so will get them changed anyway. Noted also re OBD tool to clear the error codes. Thank you!

[Tommi_Mav]

Since you changed the pad wear sensors, another option is they were not fitted well or connected as should. If all this is out of the question, then maybe could be due to low quality sensors. You could try another brand.

[Billfitz]

The sensors are tripped when the pads get so thin that the sensors contact the rotor and there's a break in their conductive pathway. If they're not mounted correctly, or for that matter not mounted at all but just left dangling, that would not set them off. One could easily bypass them with a piece of wire if so inclined.

[Tommi_Mav]

I meant if the plugs of the sensor and the car's wiring (not the connection on the pad) are not connected well, then it should be an open circuit and that may trigger the warning.

[Billfitz]

That would be the case. When I replaced mine I hit the connections with WD40 first.

[AlphaHotelBravo]

All grist to the mill thanks - this might end up being something else I do myself just to get it done right. Thank you!