Brake pad sensor

[AllTorque]

The brake pads were pretty low on my car, and the dash brake warning light came on which is triggered by the pad wear sensor. I've changed the pads, but the warning light is still on. Does anyone know if the light should go out with the sensor not connected to anything, as it doesn't seem to do this? I would imagine the warning light is normally off for open-circuit (e.g. disconnected) and then switches on when the sensor shorts. Is this correct?

Cheers for any advice....

[Tabs]

Long shot I know, but I have read on a forum somewhere, that leaving the ignition on without the engine running for 30 minutes, resets the light. Please do a search first, I may be wrong.

[stub]

If you disconnect the sensor the light stays on. New sensors cost a couple of £ at German & Swedish etc. and the light will re-set when a sensor is fitted. I'd recommend fitting a new one as your new pads may wear at a different rate to the previous anyway. 10 minute job if you're quick& only 1 side has break wear sensor fitted.

[eliot]

On my e39 and my old 328ci The sensor was sacrificial, i.e. when the pad wears down enough for the light to come on, the cable will need changing.

[AllTorque]

Cheers guys, I was thinking that myself....

[fixedwheelnut]

They work on short circuit and open circuit, once you get the new sensors in put the ignition on/engine off until the light goes out, up to a few minutes.

[silverback mike]

Try connecting the wires together - sometimes it works. Other than that, as previously said, new sensors are are about £30 from eurocarparts (I think that's what they were for my e39)