I thought they went by mileage. If the brakes were changed without replacing the sensors you would get that error message eventually. What year and make do you have.

 

What if I "reset" the message in the iDrive? If it trips again, then we can narrow it down to being a faulty sensor?

BTW, does each wheel have its own sensor?

 

2006 530xi

I had the brake pads, rotors and sensors on all 4 wheels replaced back in 2012. It was an independent mechanic. I'm pretty sure they reset the iDrive because I got it serviced due to the warning on the iDrive the first time.

However, I've been working from home except only coming into the office for meetings, so my mileage is pretty low. About 95K miles.

 

I guess the good news is you know that your brake are ok. If they were done correctly and since it's been 5 years on the sensors I would look at those first. Just as stated before one or both could be faulty. Your brakes look like they have no more than 15k on them (still new from what I see). Replace the sensors and you should be fine. I would not replace the brakes

 

This:

https://bentleypublishers.files.word....jpg%3Fw%3D510

There's a resistor in the sensor circuit (470 ohm IIRC). When the resistor is cut, the sensor trips.

 

In fact, I think that the sensor is the resistor or vice versa. As the sensor (resistor) wears down, the resistance goes down and the circuit acts accordingly, giving an approximation of the pad thickness. In this case, perhaps, there is a shorted wire giving no resistance.

 

So, my friend helped me reset the brake pad warning in my iDrive last night. I'm going to drive it a few days and see if it trips again. If it does, then I'll replace the front sensor.

 

Why just the front? Replace both and be finished.
Salut, Bob P.

 

The iDrive message was only for the front sensor.

 

It's just a simple wire and clip into the back of the brake pad
One on the front left and rear right
You can change both in minutes but they trip for a reason because your bake pads are getting low

I hope you will fit new front pad

The sensor is simply a copper wire or metal that is broken when the pad is low

Don't play with safety
Put on new pads and sensors and drive safely