My BMW mechanic cannot turn off Check Brake Lining message/red Brake warning light

[Bleitten]

Cannot turn off or reset the Check Brake Lining message and red Brake warning light. Replaced front and rear sensors and tried another pair from a different supplier to rule out a bad sensor. All brakes are in good condition so it is not being triggered by the need for new pads/rotors. He thinks it may be a fault in the electronic control module. I'm not willing to replace on a 2004 X5 due to high cost and no certainty it will fix problem. Thinking black electrical tape solution at this point. Xtried the key in the 2nd on position for 90 seconds with no success. Mechanic tried resetting with his BMW computer but would not reset.

Any brilliant fixes we are missing?

[andrewwynn]

Red brake word light means low fluid. Brake lining should be ironically (O) drum brake icon.

Confirm both sensors are good. I've had them get damaged from road hazard more than once. (I just twisted the wires together after they got torn)

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by Bleitten

Cannot turn off or reset the Check Brake Lining message and red Brake warning light. Replaced front and rear sensors and tried another pair from a different supplier to rule out a bad sensor. All brakes are in good condition so it is not being triggered by the need for new pads/rotors. He thinks it may be a fault in the electronic control module. I'm not willing to replace on a 2004 X5 due to high cost and no certainty it will fix problem. Thinking black electrical tape solution at this point. Xtried the key in the 2nd on position for 90 seconds with no success. Mechanic tried resetting with his BMW computer but would not reset.



Any brilliant fixes we are missing?

You could have a faulty sensor in the brake fluid reservoir....

Don't ask me how I know

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[andrewwynn]

That too. What other lights? Red brake should trip trifecta. No abs.

[oldskewel]

Regarding specifics on the warning, on my 2001, when I had a worn-through sensor, here is the warning I got:

Red "BRAKE" light on constantly, whenever key is ON. When key to ACC, nothing lights. Then when key to ON, instantly "BRAKE" is orange, and "PARKING BRAKE" red, then a fraction of a second later, the parking goes out and "BRAKE" turns to red and stays on. Check Brake Linings text message appears occasionally at start up and shut down. Unable to find any further info regarding brakes using Foxwell.

Also, the brake pad warning sensors are on the left front and rear right wheels only.

When my left front one failed, and while waiting for a new sensor to arrive, I traced the sensor wire to a little box down there in the left front wheel well, and stuck a paper clip in there to make the car think the sensor was still providing continuity. So that could give you an idea of how to troubleshoot - is the connection there solid, for example.

Oh yeah, one more thing ... there is a weird thing in the procedure to reset the light after the sensor is replaced: I think you need to turn the key to ON, but without starting the engine, and sit there for a minute until the light goes out.

[andrewwynn]

Correct on the procedure and similar to paper clip I just striped the wires going between connector and the sensor and twisted together. That way the connector was still water tight.

When my brake fluid was low on e53 I got red brake no warning I had low cluster.

Low fluid will trip trifecta I think. I had this happen from parking on a steep incline.

I added some fluid just in time to drive 90 min. Ina snow storm (DSC functional) and 1.5 miles from home alternator hiccup kills abs for a terrifying last mile with three open dif car no DSC or ABS.

X-drive at least can disable the front drive so you have steering control.

Combine no DSC and fresh snow and crown of the road and every launch the front tries to drive into the curb.

[Bleitten]

Had 4 new tires put on this morning. Came home and my son tried the key procedure again. I had tried twice previously. This time the light went out and the warning went away.

[andrewwynn]

Correct on the procedure and similar to paper clip I just striped the wires going between connector and the sensor and twisted together. That way the connector was still water tight.

When my brake fluid was low on e53 I got red brake no warning I had low cluster.

Low fluid will trip trifecta I think. I had this happen from parking on a steep incline.

I added some fluid just in time to drive 90 min. Ina snow storm (DSC functional) and 1.5 miles from home alternator hiccup kills abs for a terrifying last mile with three open dif car no DSC or ABS.

X-drive at least can disable the front drive so you have steering control.

Combine no DSC and fresh snow and crown of the road and every launch the front tries to drive into the curb.