Brake Light Sensor & Sensor replacement help needed

[wrxtomini]

Hi there everyone,

This is my first post on this forum but i have been reading from time to time...

Anywyas i need your help on my brake pads.. my brake light sensor has turned on but i have been silly and kept driving for a few weeks just been too busy to pull into a mechanic. But have noticed it starting to squeek so im guessin the brake pads are really gone!!!

Anyhows im am planning on changing my pads.. But i have done a search on the brake pad sensors.. and noticed some people mentioned things about replacing the brake sensors? does everyone usually have to replace them or how do you know when you need to replace them or is a standard pad change ok ?

Sorry about this have done a search but cant seem to find any info i need...

BTW i drive a 2003 cooperS
Problem: Brake light sensor on

What should i do? : - change neccessay pads
- bleed or change brake fluid?
- replace brake sensors? (i'm thinking this because im scared i left my brakes going for far too long and i have just started hearing squeeking when i tap the brakes so i need to know wether it is possible i might have killed the sensors)

PS: ive got passenger window problems as grrrhhhh worked again todays but suddenly stopped working again hope its jsut my window motor gettin jammed

Any help on the brakes would be geatly appreciated... any links would be great as well

Thanks in advance,
John

[Rakey]

get a new set of sensors from your dealer and get a set of pads such as greenstuff, that should be all you need to do the job

welcome to MINI2 by the way

[usaaus]

Once the light has come on, the sensor is shot. It is a one-use deal. So you will have to replace them. There are two. front right and rear left, i think (could be the other way round). Here in the US they are about $14.00 each. Likely a little more in Oz.

[MarkW19]

Am I right in thinking that even if you replace with pads that don't have sensors (ie. Mintex etc.), if the light's on you still have to replace the sensors to turn the light off?

[Gillian Hogarth]

Even if you do replace the sensors the light can still stay on. It took me ages to find a solution to get the light to go out. I found the solution on a bmw forum. I think it only works if you replace the sensors though as I did. To get light to switch off after replacing sensors, you put your foot on brake and then turn ignition key to position 2 just before turning over the engine. You keep your foot on the brake until the light goes out. It does take a little while, in fact I had almost given up when the light went out. I hope this helps. I have a 2003 MCS.

[usaaus]

Yeah, If you replace with pads that don't have a cut-out for the sensors, I believe you will still need the sensors to get the light out. Some people just coil them up and zip tie out of the way.

[MarkW19]

So best thing to do is change to the new pads before the light comes on?

[wrxtomini]

Okies i just found out from the BMW service centre and just thought i'd share the info if people are still searching for answers.. think it was mentioned before but anyhows ..

They have told me that you always have to change the brake sensors when you change your brake pads, otherwise the lights will stay on. Also make sure the pads you buy have the gap or space for the sensor to fit onto..

For Aussies its going to set us back around AUD$40 per sensor...

This has nothing to do with the topic but window motors for the passenger sides going to set you back AUD$200 oil filter elements are around AUD$20 and A/C filter AUD$86.. these are prices are rounded off to the nearest dollar hehe

Anyways hope this helps