[emwonk]

My car is an 07 AT with 40K miles.

The brake pad warning came on.

All pads have 50 percent of the pad left, and there are no visible problems with the brake sensor lines. (I checked to see if my aftermarket snow wheels are rubbing the sensor lines and they are not.)

What's next?

How do I run this thing down?

Clear the code and see if it comes back?

Thanks for your help...

[acthad]

Basically your Condition Based Service system in you car is thinking it needs brakes since it analyzes the way you drive vs the time and mileage on the car.

Try resetting it with the odometer button, search google or you tube for e90 service reset.

But be warned that it may cause the message it is throwing up on your dash/idrive to change. Saying to go to the dealer now vs the warning message that your brakes are at 50%.

It is a PITA...they want you to come in regularly at the stealership.

Good luck.

[emwonk]

Thanks. Actually my warning says minimum thickness, take to dealer now.

But pulling off the wheels reveals I have at least 50 percent of pads remaining. More in front. The sensor wires appear intact with no cracks in the sensors.


I hooked up my Bavarian Technic cable and get deeper into confusion.

Error check is all green, and condition based service shows brake bars full with a percent number missing. I can not reset the brakes, getting a message that says BY can not communicate with the module. (as an aside, I cannot reset the cabin filter either or change the percent on that.)

So now I don't know is I have a car software problem or Bavarian software problem or both.

Today I miss my e36 m3.

[fdriller9]

Are you sure it's not brake fluid?

[emwonk]

Positive it says pads worn to minimum thickness.

[emwonk]

After having time to search I see this is a common topic.

So is there a reliable solution? I see other threads about multiple trips to the dealer, recurring false warnings, etc.

I like technology when it's working but systems prone to generate false alarms that encourage a dealer visit are a marketing gimmick straight from hell.

Imagine the money they make off of this "problem." There can be zero incentive to fix this. It's a cash machine! "My pads are at minimum thickness!" (reset light) "$1700 please. This is a high performance automobile sir with brakes designed to go the extra mile to protect you."

I like the old days when there was a squeal tab on the (GM) brakes. No false alarms there.

[DCTepper]

Had this happen to me as well, dealership said sensors were bad and replaced them. Here I am again 6,000 miles later and the light is back on. I am going to pull the pads this weekend to see if they really are worn or if the sensors are bad again.

Both front and rears went simultaneously, which is highly suspect and leads me to believe something else is going on.

[emwonk]

How much did your sensor replacement cost?

[DCTepper]

It was covered under warranty, but now I am out of warranty. They suggested I check the pad thickness before bringing it in to avoid an unnecessary trip if they pads really do need replacement. If the sensors are faulty they said they will replace them again due to a parts warranty.

[Lenaxia]

A sensor is like $35. It's pretty cheap and can be swapped without taking the brakes off.

It's a trivial fix and can be done in about 10 minutes.

[emwonk]

I updated the Bavarian Technic software and it cleared the false alarm, at least for now.