gfs mini cooper s brake pad warning light came on

[ryank85]

hi guys relatively new here.
my gf has a 53reg mini cooper s and the brake pad wearing sensor light came on n the dashboard the guy that services it 4 her cut the wires on the sensors and i read this is meant to put the light out which hasnt worked any ideas guys?
any help would be gratefully appreciated

[Defcon5]

Buy some new brake pads that arent worn out?

[ryank85]

the brake pads are like brand new

[TheBaj]

ryank85 said:

the guy that services it 4 her cut the wires on the sensors

I may be wrong, but that sounds a bodge job!

From memory, when you replace the pads you have to replace the pad sensors too, they're a couple of quid.

[ryank85]

i read on a website this light comes on regularly with the cooper s. and if u cut the sensor wires it puts the light out but ur sensor wont work to notify u when ur pads are done

[illmonkey]

What? Speak normally.

The sensors shouldn't be cut, there is no problem with them. He should have done the job correctly and replaced the sensors.

I've owned 3 minis over 4 years and none had an issue with the sensor light coming on.

[hyperblue]

ryank85 said:

i read on a website this light comes on regularly with the cooper s. and if u cut the sensor wires it puts the light out but ur sensor wont work to notify u when ur pads are done

Don't cut the sensors. If you remove them properly, you will not get a warning light.

Alternatively, buy some new ones and replace them... If you replace the pads before the warning light comes on, you won't need to replace them in future.

[ryank85]

thats what i dont understand this guy is a mechanic and claims the brake pads are like brand new. so why would this sensor come on in the first place if there like brand new?

[Stu R]

ryank85 said:

thats what i dont understand this guy is a mechanic and claims the brake pads are like brand new. so why would this sensor come on in the first place if there like brand new?

Because some idiot cut the wires to the sensors.

[ryank85]

your reading in to this wrong mate. the sensor light came on before it went for a service so i read in 2 it and it said if you cut the wires the light will go out so the mechanic that services it cut the wires and its still on. he told us the brake pads are like brand new though

[hyperblue]

ryank85 said:

your reading in to this wrong mate. the sensor light came on before it went for a service so i read in 2 it and it said if you cut the wires the light will go out so the mechanic that services it cut the wires and its still on. he told us the brake pads are like brand new though

Did you try and reset the light first? Or was cutting the wires your first move?

[SSCooperS]

ryank85 said:

your reading in to this wrong mate. the sensor light came on before it went for a service so i read in 2 it and it said if you cut the wires the light will go out so the mechanic that services it cut the wires and its still on. he told us the brake pads are like brand new though

Any mechanic that thinks the solution to warning light problems is to cut the wiring needs his head looking at.

[ryank85]

yeah tried resetting it. phoned a mate and he told me turn ignition to the 2nd click push the brake pedal and hold it for 30secs to a minute then start it and that would work but it didnt. its rather annoying when ur driving. i dont see the point replacing the pads just now when there like brand new though

[hyperblue]

ryank85 said:

yeah tried resetting it. phoned a mate and he told me turn ignition to the 2nd click push the brake pedal and hold it for 30secs to a minute then start it and that would work but it didnt. its rather annoying when ur driving. i dont see the point replacing the pads just now when there like brand new though

You don't need to replace the pads, just the sensors, because your spastic mechanic has cut them!

[ryank85]

new sensors to be purchased i guess then. thanks 4 all the opinions guys

[RKDE]

if you have to cut the wires make sure you connect them back together or the light will stay on... its a circuit breaking it will put the light on

[Eviltad]

Similar subject (and I probably should look myself but its dark) but at what thickness of pad does the light come on?

My garage (who have failed to switch off my light despite changing brakes and wear sensor) have informed me that the sensor comes on when there is still plenty of pad left to be used. 50% they reckoned. Can anyone, with dirtier hands than me confirm this?

[hyperblue]

Eviltad said:

Similar subject (and I probably should look myself but its dark) but at what thickness of pad does the light come on?

My garage (who have failed to switch off my light despite changing brakes and wear sensor) have informed me that the sensor comes on when there is still plenty of pad left to be used. 50% they reckoned. Can anyone, with dirtier hands than me confirm this?

50% would be silly, but it does come on a while before you really need new pads, around 20% I'd guess.

[Eviltad]

In the days before sensors brakes started squeaking and you changed them then.

Its the same garage who do my MoT so I'd like to think they know what will pass and what won't.

[nickfrog]

Depending on the brand, the sensors trigger at around 3/4mm (out of 10mm). It takes about 5 seconds to check the thickness of the pads with a torch light through the alloys though!