Brake pad warning light - but pads are fine!

[Philpatton]

Afternoon,
Earlier in the week, the brake pad wear indicator light came on in my z3. This is odd, as the pads and discs probably have 1000mls on them since I changed them last, but I checked them anyway And they were fine.
Never mind I thought, it’ll be the cable that has snapped, so I bought a front and rear brake pad sensor cable and fitted them both today, but the light is still on in the dash.
Are there only 2 cables? Driver side rear and passenger side front?
I then plugged a OBD reader into the car and no faults found.
What else could it be?
P

 

[t-tony]

Does the fluid level use the same light Phil? I've had a similar problem fitting new sensor cables and ended up having to apply a little oil to the rubber so the plug went fully into the socket.

Tony.

 

[Philpatton]

So, the evening has become even more eventful....I popped down to the local shop and was run off the road by some bell end in Audi coming the other way. Stood on the brakes, dived to the verge and thankfully missed him by a gnats whisker! i then got three amber lights on the dash, the traction control, the pad wear sensor and the orange hydraulic fluid light. When I got home, switched the engine off, got my code reader on the car and the only light on the dash was the brake pad wear sensor light after restarting the engine! I’m off to check the fluid level now, but I think there may be a bigger issue brewing!
still no error codes.

 

[t-tony]

I would check the plugs before doing anything major mate.

Tony.

 

[Philpatton]

brake fluid level is fine. In fact might be a little too full.

 

[Philpatton]

After researching this some more, I found this article:

BMW Z3 Brake warning light reset

BMW Z3 Brake warning light reset Article submitted by Swamper Make sure that you replaced the sensor and the brake pads, if you did not replace the sensor or pads this will not work. Turn the key to position two (when all of the inspection...

zroadster.org

.
So, I tried this not expecting it to work, and the light reset. I took the car for a whizz around the block, whilst avoiding black Audi's and it seems to be fine. I did an emergency stop and all is ok.
This forum has such great members and knowledge, it makes the ownership of these cars such a great experience!
Thanks all
P

 

[mwpe]

After researching this some more, I found this article:

BMW Z3 Brake warning light reset

BMW Z3 Brake warning light reset Article submitted by Swamper Make sure that you replaced the sensor and the brake pads, if you did not replace the sensor or pads this will not work. Turn the key to position two (when all of the inspection...

zroadster.org

.
So, I tried this not expecting it to work, and the light reset. I took the car for a whizz around the block, whilst avoiding black Audi's and it seems to be fine. I did an emergency stop and all is ok.
This forum has such great members and knowledge, it makes the ownership of these cars such a great experience!
Thanks all
P

I have had the light staying on after changing pads and that method worked.

 

[mrscalex]

+1 for me. Possibly there was an issue with a sensor cable on mine. I replaced these. Didn't clear warning light. Reset using procedure and done.

Easy to dismiss these procedures like hopeless helpline type re-boot/resets on your wifi router but this one can work when everything else checks out.

I wouldn't worry too much about the traction control lights coming on. If it was a wet day or you went into wet grass this could temporarily turn the light on - as can washing the car.

 

[David Carter]

I have the same problem after changing the front wear sensor cable following a rodent deciding it would make a tasty snack. The brake wear light refuses to go out after trying all the above procedures. Is there any way of checking that the circuit is good through the cable? It all looks OK, but if I can check with a multi-meter in the right place, it would be a great help. The vehicle is a 1997 2.8 roadster to British spec

 

[Pingu]

The light comes on when the sensor is cut. You can disable the sensor by joining the two wires together.

If that doesn't work, it means there is a broken wire further back in the circuit.

The cable is good if it has continuity.