Brake pad warning sensor - reset?

[Bluefish7]

So I changed the rear pads after the warning came on, tried to reuse the sensor but I can't really get it to sit in tight with the new pads and I'm assuming it is back there just swinging. My question is, can I use Foxwell or something to tell the computer that I changed the pads and to ignore the sensor, or should I change the sensor to see if I can get it to fit? I don't really care if I have the sensor working, but getting tired of the warning every time I start up. I did try to reset through the dash, it doesn't seem to reset the pad wear timeline. Thanks

[andrewwynn]

Are you sure it's the rear sensor?

You can short out the sensor wires to go sensor free but still need to reset follow a YouTube video for the process

[Nanniepoo]

I thought once you got the warning the sensor needed to be replaced as the sensor works by physically getting worn and continuity is broken/resistance is changed. Hence why you can't reset it because your car is constantly "re-detecting" that the brakes are worn because the sensor is telling them that the brakes are worn.

[Qsilver7]

DITTO Nanniepoo. The brake sensors are a one use item once it has worn through and you get the replace brake pad warning.

[Attacking Mid]

The older models had simple sensors that you could wire together to bypass. The E70 has a two-step sensor that, AFAIK, there's no way around having to replace the sensor. There are aftermarket sensors available that seem to work fine for much less than BMW ones.

AM.

[andrewwynn]

My e70 twisted the front sensor to punt on my front pads and worked just like always.

[Nanniepoo]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

The older models had simple sensors that you could wire together to bypass. The E70 has a two-step sensor that, AFAIK, there's no way around having to replace the sensor. There are aftermarket sensors available that seem to work fine for much less than BMW ones.

AM.

Yup, that's my memory. First step starts the "countdown" for pad replacement. Second step means replace them now.

[andrewwynn]

My understating was the time/miles between first contact and the break measured how far you went between to estimate how many miles to set in the countdown. Not sure how it measured the difference with two wires but maybe grounded through the rotor.

In any event cutting and putting a jumper on my sensor lead worked to reset the sensor on my e70. There's about 3mm pad left I'll be changing them next week I just didn't want to be annoyed by idrive or worse have it get to some level that only the dealer can reset (that happened on my e53 with oil change countdown).