[Paultattoo]

OK, I know I know. I need brakes. I will get them as soon as I have time. Sucks too because my 2022 is on the fifth dot and almost done.

But until I have time to get the brakes done, does anyone know how to reset the brake warning light?

[jmciver]

Here you go. Just don’t “forget” you still need to get your brakes done …..

[Paultattoo]

I found that but it does not reset the brake warning.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Paultattoo

I found that but it does not reset the brake warning.

I may have misunderstood your question then. If you have the brake pad warning light on in the dash, then that means you have tripped the brake pad wear sensor on your actual brake pad. There should be two of these sensors, typically on the front driver side and rear passenger side. That sensor only trips when the physical pad material is worn down to minimum thickness. So in that case, you really should get your brake pads done VERY soon as you could be on the road when the pads wear down to zero thickness and cause other issues.

Not sure if BMW will also change the rotors, it will depend if the rotors are also at minimum thickness. But if the rotors are damaged/gouged because you ran the pads completely down to zero material, you will most likely be on the hook to replace otherwise good rotors. Not to mention taking the brake pads all the way down to zero could cause other issues with the brake system.

[AdmirG07]

Originally Posted by Paultattoo

I found that but it does not reset the brake warning.

You can't reset your brakes and get rid of the warning without changing the brakes. The only way around it, still temporary and useless is to replace a wear sensor. But it will wear down again and you will be back here lol

[mitch57]

I would get these on order ASAP. There's already been reports of owners waiting over a month already for brake parts. These supply shortages will only get worse over the next several months. Plan ahead!

I'm in a similar boat. My rear brakes are at about 4mm. I've already got a set on order, including rotors, through my dealer. Hopefully, I will get them before the brake wear indicator on the brakes themselves starts alerting me.

[Paultattoo]

The reason I want the light to go away is because it is annoying. I have been watching my 2022 X7 being built. Today it is at "waiting carrier assignment". Hopefully it will be here next week sometime.

[jmciver]

I think we all understand the "why" behind your desire to not do the brakes (and I understand it, too) - but not sure if you understand the "why you should get it fixed ASAP" advice from the rest of us in this thread. The only way you can turn out the light would be to replace the brake pad wear sensor that has been tripped (or possibly coding, but I have no idea what that parameter is and I would not recommend it). To replace that sensor, you are half way through a brake pad replacement.

If you really don't want to foot that bill before your new X7 arrives, then I recommend you take a cursory look at the thickness of your brake pads - you should be able to see the outer pad looking through the spokes of the wheels. That way you can have some idea of how much material you have left. If you are not sure of what you are looking at, then I recommend you park the X7 until you take delivery of your new one.

FWIW, I could do the brake job myself on the X7, including how to do the very cursory brake pad inspection I mentioned above, I have done multiple brake jobs on all of my cars. And I like to get every ounce of life out of my brake pads. But I would still not drive around for an extended period of time with the wear pad sensor tripped. Especially in a heavy SUV like the X7 which apparently goes through brakes relatively quickly based on the experience of several as posted in this forum.

Your call of course….

[rccarps2]

Just did the brakes on my wifes X5. Front and rear. Took about 15 mins each wheel. Rears were a PITA compared to the fronts. Was about $150 in parts (pads and sensors).

Did not swap the rotors. They looked fine and there is zero steering wheel vibration. Probably will next brake change.

Anyways.... even with a sensor swap the brake light did not go away. I ended up buying a ODB2 tool (OBDLink MX+) for $80 off amazon. Coupled with the free version of the bimmerlink app, I was able to reset the dash service warning.

[NYCillini]

Originally Posted by rccarps2

Just did the brakes on my wifes X5. Front and rear. Took about 15 mins each wheel. Rears were a PITA compared to the fronts. Was about $150 in parts (pads and sensors).

Did not swap the rotors. They looked fine and there is zero steering wheel vibration. Probably will next brake change.

Anyways.... even with a sensor swap the brake light did not go away. I ended up buying a ODB2 tool (OBDLink MX+) for $80 off amazon. Coupled with the free version of the bimmerlink app, I was able to reset the dash service warning.

My girlfriend (yes, she’s awesome) and her uncle have always changed the brake pads on our vehicles. We just bought a used 2019 X7 and will have to be doing this soon, as they pads as of this week are at 6mm.

1) are there pads that you recommend ordering? People are mentioning part shortages, so I am thinking i should order soon.

2) in case she needs a reference tool, are there any YouTube or other video tutorials you found helpful?

3) i am speaking for her here as I’m clueless, I am making the assumption she’s never had to replace the sensors before. Is that hard? Do they come with the brake pads? Our last vehicle was 2015 QX60 and I am sure they didn’t have sensors.

4) Should I also be ordering the OBD / coding accessories now, too, since I will not be able to reset the “change brakes” service message that is surely going to appear in due time?

Thank you for any help you can provide!

[rccarps2]

Originally Posted by NYCillini

My girlfriend (yes, she’s awesome) and her uncle have always changed the brake pads on our vehicles. We just bought a used 2019 X7 and will have to be doing this soon, as they pads as of this week are at 6mm.

1) are there pads that you recommend ordering? People are mentioning part shortages, so I am thinking i should order soon.

2) in case she needs a reference tool, are there any YouTube or other video tutorials you found helpful?

3) i am speaking for her here as I’m clueless, I am making the assumption she’s never had to replace the sensors before. Is that hard? Do they come with the brake pads? Our last vehicle was 2015 QX60 and I am sure they didn’t have sensors.

4) Should I also be ordering the OBD / coding accessories now, too, since I will not be able to reset the “change brakes” service message that is surely going to appear in due time?

Thank you for any help you can provide!

My X5 has the M-Sport brakes, so the info below will be specific to that type. Not sure what your X7 has.

1. I went with PowerStop. Been great so far, but only have maybe 1,000 miles on them (and my Wife drives it primarily). Got them off amazon.

2. I used this youtube for the fronts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULtf45CCOV8

For the rears, I read this thread. It has a very important procedure somewhere in it regarding keeping your parking brake off and then cycling it to reset the travel of the rear pistons. Supposedly it is very important to follow the process correctly or the car will throw a code and likely will need a trip to the dealer. I dont remember it, so read through and find it in the thread. The hardest part of the rear change is getting the piston to retract so you can fit the new pad in. You need to use a pair of needle nose pliers and really push and turn on the piston at the same time. Took a little effort on the first one before I got the hang of it. Again, its detailed in this thread. https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ake+change+pad

3. Sensors are very easy and somewhat cheap. The car needs 2, one for the front and one for the rear. I think they are different part numbers. About $20-$30 each. If your brake service light is on, you need to get the sensor, as when they trip then they have to be replaced. I would get them and replace regardless, because you can easily damage them while changing the pads (I ruined one trying to reuse it). Takes all of a minute to swap the sensor (with the wheel off).

4. Thats up to you. It does much more than just reset the service indicator. You can get into some basic coding of the car using different apps, like Bimmercode. For me, the $80 paid for itself in not having to go to a dealer, and I can continue to use it on my future issues and/or cars. If you swap your pads before the light comes on, its obviously not needed.

On a side note, I got these to use for my BMW's. Lets me use my standard floor jack on the jack points on the car. Put one in each glove box. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

RC

[Paultattoo]

Crisis averted. The 2022 is at the dealership and I will pick it up tomorrow.

Motorwerks of Barrington is awesome. I didn't want to sneak my 2020 in with the brake light on so I called them. They said that by the time I set up an appointment to get the brakes changed I'll be driving away in my 2022 and not to worry about it. They plan on CPOing my trade and will take care of it themselves. They thanked me for being honest.
:thum sup:

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by Paultattoo

Crisis averted. The 2022 is at the dealership and I will pick it up tomorrow.

Motorwerks of Barrington is awesome. I didn't want to sneak my 2020 in with the brake light on so I called them. They said that by the time I set up an appointment to get the brakes changed I'll be driving away in my 2022 and not to worry about it. They plan on CPOing my trade and will take care of it themselves. They thanked me for being honest.
:thum sup:

Nice and congrats!

FYI, not that I recommend ever doing this as sensors are cheap to just replace, but a temporary trick to reset the light when the sensor has been tripped and you know you have pad material left via visual inspection is to cut the sensor wire, strip the two wires, short it out and seal it with shrink tubing. This would allow a proper bmw scan tool to reset the light. I've only done this with track cars, but it will work on any BMW.