Brake sensors

I just had my brake pads replaced and now need to replace the sensors so that light will go off on the dash. Looking at ordering sensors online and someone told me you only need 1 sensor for the front, and 1 sensor for the rear, not one on each wheel. Anyone know if that is really the case?

Originally Posted by jlabe9

I just had my brake pads replaced and now need to replace the sensors so that light will go off on the dash. Looking at ordering sensors online and someone told me you only need 1 sensor for the front, and 1 sensor for the rear, not one on each wheel. Anyone know if that is really the case?

That's correct, there's one sensor on the left front wheel, and one on the right rear wheel.
See realoem.com for details.

You should be able to re-use one of the 2 sensors - unlikely that they both triggered at the same time.

Rear pads typically wear out a bit before the fronts, but it should be obvious which sensor turned the brake lamp on.

Providing the good sensor was carefully disconnected and not just pulled off, of course.

It's not one of those things where you are better off with a fresh new one.

Save the $13 for a bottle of German wine - much better value than a piece of wire.

Let me piggyback of this question. Same issue, rear brake sensor tripped.

My brother is going to help me with this DIY but he can't actually see the car until we work on it this long weekend when everything is shut. He'd rather replace everything now and me not hassle him again 2 months later

I'm buying parts from getBMWparts.com, he told me to just get everything for front/rear. I took it to an indy shop, only thing they told me was rear sensor tripped, front pads were 90% used. No mention of rotor condition but they quoted to replace them too.

I don't trust any shop so I'm not really sure if the rotors really need to be changed or I can do with just replacing 4 brake pads. Any easy way for me, a rookie to tell if they should be replaced or this is something that requires measuring tools?

I have an 07 that just turned 48K. (yes i'm out of warranty)