New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST > BMW Z4 Forum (E89) > 2009-Current Z4 Forum (E89) General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-22-2016, 10:48 PM   #1
cuddapah
First Lieutenant
United_States
40
Rep
301
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive 35i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Jacksonville, FL

iTrader: (0)

How to fix incorrect front brakes reading

2011 BMW Z4 ... display shows front brake service in another 2500 miles. Dealer said they are over 9mm and the reading shown on display is error. To correct it, some programming needs to be done which will cost me $250+.
Does anybody know what kind of programming and if it can be done with Rheingold ? Thanks !
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2016, 11:56 PM   #2
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
Brakes only have 2 sensor levels.

No open sensor , meaning new or mostly new pads.
An open sensor, meaning half way or something like that.

Maybe you got new pads at some point and the brake warning was not reset to tell the computer they are new pads. So it continues to calculate the pads should be due for replacement.
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2016, 11:58 PM   #3
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
The "programming" would be to reset the brake pad sensor. You can do it from the instrument cluster but it can continue to be a problem if the pads are worn too much and you reset them as new.
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2016, 02:13 AM   #4
bigendbob
Second Lieutenant
United Kingdom
50
Rep
297
Posts

Drives: z4 23i Orion Silver
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: west midlands

iTrader: (0)

I think the stalk reset won't allow reset until quite a low mileage.
I would wait until it hits about 1k then reset.
Sounds like someone replaced pads but didn't reset through the stalk with the old sensor fitted, or it wouldn't accept a reset with the old sensor fitted.
Personally I fitted pads, fitted new sensors and tied them back out of the way.
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2016, 02:53 AM   #5
dblaron30i
Enlisted Member
3
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: Sapphire black Z4 30i
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Orange County

iTrader: (0)

I basically had a similar question after buying my z4. When I went to the dealer I asked them how the computer resets worked for the oil, breaks, and other readings through the cluster. My question to them was, can I reset the mileage at any point For these items listed. Their response was yes. I then said, so the previous owner could of reset it with out me knowing reading that the pads were new and oil was fresh. Their answer was yes. So I told them that the monitoring system on the car was pointless if it could be reset at any point. They shrugged their shoulder in agreement and said yes. So your best bet is to replace the parts and rest yourself so you know when and what will need to be replaced. This system is only a reminder realy if you forget the mileage when you had the service done.

Forgot to add one thing. As for the sensor... it is basically a thin piece of wire that when it breaks causes the compleated circuit to break. This causes the system to read that the breaks need replacing. So if the sensor was broken pre-maturely. Then you could have a warning indicator in the system. More than likely though it was just not reset when replaced or you are just harder on the pedals than BMW anticipated. Because remember this is a mileage reminder system. Not a real time countdown system like our gas consumption is. Another thing to think about is if you are using non BMW recommended pad they may wear differently. So I am sure in the software somewhere there is a place to add or deduct mileage from the reset numbers BMW has set. Yet now you are talking about flashing your ECU. Your choice.... I would just deal with it as a guideline until I got the sensor wire to break indicator.

Last edited by dblaron30i; 12-23-2016 at 03:20 AM..
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2016, 06:06 AM   #6
cuddapah
First Lieutenant
United_States
40
Rep
301
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive 35i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Jacksonville, FL

iTrader: (0)

Front Brake pads haven't been replaced. It has been showing the same due for front brakes service in 2500 for about years now and doesn't change. I don't use this car as I used to.
Replaced rear brake pads recently. At that time I asked the dealer to check front brakes and they quote this price to correct the issue.
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2016, 05:46 PM   #7
dblaron30i
Enlisted Member
3
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: Sapphire black Z4 30i
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Orange County

iTrader: (0)

Well I just went out and checked mine. My fronts read 27,000 rears 28,000. This was reset on my car about four months ago. Which I do believe the starting point is 32,000 when reset. I have only driven 3,000 miles so by those numbers they don't add up. It still seems to me as a guideline to when they think you should replace. Another thing to think about is it seems that it drops in 1,000 mile increments. So if you don't drive much and it has been under roughly 1,000 miles, depending on your drive style. It probably just hasn't hit that marker.
One thing to keep in mind is that BMW recommends replacing brakes at or under 3mm. So you still have 6mm left. Which is quite a bit left.

Just keep track of your mileage. If it doesn't change around 1,000 miles. There might be something wrong with the system. But don't always take the dealers word when they say something "has to be replaced"
After reading a lot of these forums. It seems like dealers are only following a manual and procedure spacific order in how they troubleshoot problems. I'm not saying all are bad. But take what they say with a grain of salt.

Last edited by dblaron30i; 12-23-2016 at 05:53 PM..
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2016, 06:11 PM   #8
dblaron30i
Enlisted Member
3
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: Sapphire black Z4 30i
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Orange County

iTrader: (0)

Well then again it my drop in 500 mile increments based off of your 2500 mile reading. Anyone know what it is for sure?
Appreciate 0
      12-24-2016, 12:53 AM   #9
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
I'm not sure it matters until the first sensor breaks. Different pads, materials etc.

When the first sensor breaks then maybe it is more accurate based on how many miles elapsed to get there.
Appreciate 0
      01-10-2017, 08:18 AM   #10
rking117
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
118
Rep
1,668
Posts

Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

You can reset the indicator from your idrive or stalk but it will reset to what ever the factory has it as. The dealer may be able to override the mileage numbers
__________________
Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth //
E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
Appreciate 0
      01-10-2017, 01:01 PM   #11
jparnes1
Colonel
jparnes1's Avatar
No_Country
241
Rep
2,389
Posts

Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NoQuarter View Post
The "programming" would be to reset the brake pad sensor. You can do it from the instrument cluster but it can continue to be a problem if the pads are worn too much and you reset them as new.
That is correct. No one can prematurely reset it until a warning is received that the pads are low. And whether or not the pad thickness can be accurately read by the sensor or if it's a mileage-based service is easy to answer. You will notice that a car driven mostly on the highway will log more miles than a street driven car. But the street driven car will need new pads sooner. So the sensor seems pretty accurate. That's been my experience. Of course there can be a glitch, but if you think the sensor is wrong just pull your wheel off and look at the pad.
__________________
2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.

2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2017, 10:47 PM   #12
dblaron30i
Enlisted Member
3
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: Sapphire black Z4 30i
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Orange County

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jparnes1 View Post
That is correct. No one can prematurely reset it until a warning is received that the pads are low. And whether or not the pad thickness can be accurately read by the sensor or if it's a mileage-based service is easy to answer. You will notice that a car driven mostly on the highway will log more miles than a street driven car. But the street driven car will need new pads sooner. So the sensor seems pretty accurate. That's been my experience. Of course there can be a glitch, but if you think the sensor is wrong just pull your wheel off and look at the pad.
Ok basically he is asking one question! That is if his computer is reading correctly. I think you didn't read what I wrote and that it can be reset at any point according to BMW. Second of all the sensor is not a very smart sensor. It is actually very dumb. Here is a video for all who don't understand your cars.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3x7JF4suRsw

So based off of this please explain how your cars break sensor is intelligent enough to recognize mileage, because it isn't. It has to do with his ecu and the mileage estimator built into the software. So given that, it is more likely his computer is not working properly if the mileage is not changing. It is an estimate. A guideline for when BMW thinks it should be changed based on your mileage. Remember everyones driving style is different and the sensor that is there is not smart enough to account for that.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:08 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST