Brake Sensor - :mad0259:

[AustraliaG20]

Hi all,

Broad background
Jan - Hit a kangaroo. Various repairs done on the front.
May- Hit a kangaroo again. More repairs done on the front.
August - Car returned. Sometime around here the car said it needed new front brakes.
October - Brakes replaced and new sensor. Brake sensor will not reset. FYI - the computer knows the difference between front and rear and is clearly complaining about the front. There are no other fault codes in the car, just the front brake sensor.

Since that date, we've tried a different sensor. Did not reset via computer or via the in dash reset option (reset unsuccessful). We have bridged the brake sensor plug on the loom with some wire. It still did not reset again. So, now I'm looking for ideas as I'm beginning to think that during the second repair job they might have damaged the loom or potentially not plugged something back in.

So, for now the car is back running (with the error), but I'm thinking what to do next - other than take it to an auto electrician. If I test across the brake sensor plug, I'm thinking it should have continuity (I guess I could test the rear to find out)? But if it's open then I know that's the problem? Does that sound right?

Open to ideas...

[stocktree]

Yeah sensor is just a wire that gets cut when it wears down. So you can just test it for continuity.

[CatalinP]

Handbrake must be off to be able to reset via dash service menu.

[AustraliaG20]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

Handbrake must be off to be able to reset via dash service menu.

Interesting. I think it was off, but I'll try again. Thank you!

[AustraliaG20]

Originally Posted by stocktree

Yeah sensor is just a wire that gets cut when it wears down. So you can just test it for continuity.

What about on the loom side plug?

[Fknid]

Originally Posted by AustraliaG20

Interesting. I think it was off, but I'll try again. Thank you!

…and your foot must be off the brake pedal. (I think)

[F15GorDe]

Definently let us know after you get this sorted.
Lots of second and third owners starting to frequent these pages looking for this kind of help.

[stocktree]

Not sure what kind of repairs you had done. But I'd inspect the sensor wire as far as you can trace it back. Perhaps it got cut somewhere.

[AustraliaG20]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

Handbrake must be off to be able to reset via dash service menu.

OK, it was this! Sort of. I had to have the handbrake off and foot off the pedal.

This was the process I went through.

- System Test. Just in case. Passed
- Handbrake on, foot off the pedal. Brake reset unsuccessful. Error still in the iDrive / Vehicle Information menu.
- Went for a drive anyway. Alert came up.
- Handbrake off, foot off the pedal. Brake reset successful! Extremely surprised this worked. No error in the iDrive / Vehicle Information menu.
- Went for a very short drive, and no alert.

This was literally 5 minutes ago, but it seems to have worked. I'm not sure why the handbrake would need to be off? However, this might be worth noting if anyone else has an issue. Now that I know what to search for, there is a F30 thread about this from a few years ago... if only I knew, and the mechanics knew.