my instrument panel has the word "brake" light on. i knew it wasnt the brake pads because i just had all for replaced but i went ahead and visually checked them out just to make sure they were ok. next step was to check the master cylinder reservoir to see if i was low on brake fluid but i wasnt. i then proceeded to bleed my brakes just because i already had my car jacked up. i went ahead and bled the brakes with the help of my buddy. we made sure that there were no air bubbles and bled the brakes until it turned green (the color of the dot 4 fluid we purchased earlier today). after all this, i even went as far as unclamping the battery for around 10 minutes then hooking it back up. after all this, the brake light is still on. any suggestions?

 

Did you replace the brake pad wear sensors and do a reset?

 

no i didnt replace the sensors. i am still from the old school where if the brake pads wear thin, i replace them. the funny thing is that after i replaced the 4 brakes 3 months ago, the brake light as well as the rear and front brake service warning light went finally decides to come on after several months passing. i've tried resetting the the front and rear service brake and now, my front brakes show a warning of -9000 and my rear brakes show a -16000.

 

Yeah thats what happens if you haven't replaced the sensor. It's silly I know - I agree with you about replacing them when they need it but they like to make things idiot proof (and shadetree mechanic proof) these days.

You'll need to go to the dealer and get both front and rear sensors (there only on 2 wheels). Put them on and then do the reset procedure per threads on here. If you replace your brakes and then just try to reset the indicator it gives the - number you speak of.

I've actually considered replacing the pad sensor and not installing it on the caliper because it seems to trigger the pads prematurely. My car has 26k and it wants new rears and they look plenty thick but I'm doing it anyway.

 

i had the same problem on my 04 545I for the front pads...i drive said that it needed front brakes, but i had just recently changed them... the light will not disapear until you purchase new brake pad sensors...like the previous member said. all you need is two sensors (one for the front left and one for the rear right) once you have installed new sensors continue with the reset procedure and the warning light will be cleared. good luck