E90 07' 328i "RED" Brake Warning

Hello everyone, got a "RED" brake warning lamp on dash illuminated. The hand brake lever is down, all brake pads/rotors/sensors have been checked and are in great shape, all tail light bulbs are functioning properly. When the vehicle is started, the "BRAKE" warning lamp usually cycles from yellow to red then off. I think this is the vehicle doing a self diagnostic procedure. Lately though, the RED "BRAKE" warning lamp stays illuminated.

I hooked up the vehicle to a Snap-On MODIS scanner and computer says that it has no ABS or traction control codes. No CEL light either. Does anyone out there have any ideas on what this is? I am open to any hints/tricks/suggestions.

I have mechanical skills, so would definitely try to figure this out with your help. Dealer in OC, CA wants to charge me $135 just to hook it up to the their machine. Could use that money to put into fixing it instead.

I had this with my 325xi, it turned out that my brake fluid level was low. My car was hit in the wheel and during repairs, some fluid was lost and my light came on.

Thanks Jimmys530i for the tip. Unfortunately, I did check that as well and the level was at the correct height. Anyone else out there with a tip or trick. Let me know, all help is greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by jayster0966

Hello everyone, got a "RED" brake warning lamp on dash illuminated. The hand brake lever is down, all brake pads/rotors/sensors have been checked and are in great shape, all tail light bulbs are functioning properly. When the vehicle is started, the "BRAKE" warning lamp usually cycles from yellow to red then off. I think this is the vehicle doing a self diagnostic procedure. Lately though, the RED "BRAKE" warning lamp stays illuminated.

I hooked up the vehicle to a Snap-On MODIS scanner and computer says that it has no ABS or traction control codes. No CEL light either. Does anyone out there have any ideas on what this is? I am open to any hints/tricks/suggestions.

I have mechanical skills, so would definitely try to figure this out with your help. Dealer in OC, CA wants to charge me $135 just to hook it up to the their machine. Could use that money to put into fixing it instead.

Anyone?


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Most likely your pad wear sensor is burned. Replace it and the warning will go away. Did you recently have a brake job at not-the-dealer and they just did pads?

Actually, just replace front/rear pads and rotors. Including the 2 sensors. Had to do the brakes because front rotors were shaking and rear rotors were pulsing when comming to a stop. Vehicle brakes smoothly with no noise or vibration. Red warning lamp came on about a month before brake job was done.

bump

I just diagnosed a 2005 530i with a similar problem a couple of weeks ago. It turned out that the fluid level sensor was bad. The way I figured it out was I put a DVOM on the sensor and watched the ohms stay constant while the float was being moved. It should change when the float is moved.

Thanks Jimmys530i, will be giving that a shot. That is one of the few things I have not tried yet. Hope it works.

I thought I'd chime in since I've gotten so much help from this forum over the years, even though I really don't have much to offer....until now.

I had all of the same symptoms.

First brake light was constant yellow. I noticed brake fluid was low and filled it to what I thought was the proper level.

Then the light turned red with the car on the lift and when I went thru and looked thru the service info, the mileage was not present of front or rear pads.

Did a scan and it said front brake pads are low. They aren't, so I replaced front brake pad sensor.

Did a scan again. Now it says rear brake pads are low. They aren't. Replaced rear brake pad sensor.

Scanned again and it said something else about the brakes, can't recall.

Same thing. Red brake light, red car on a lift.

I decided to remove some of the brake fluid as it seemed a bit overfilled.

That did it, I was able to reset the brake pad mileage from inside the car and all is perfect.

What I wonder is, if the brake fluid is overfilled, did that cause on open circuit?

Anyway, I hope this helps!

I did my rear brakes. It was my first time with a BMW. The brake wear sensor is plastic and has a 90 degree bend in it. The manual says to be careful because they are easy to break. Well I was too gentle and I didn't fully seat it. The light came on two months after I replaced the sensor. I got new one and put it on correctly. Problem fixed.

Originally Posted by rickprado

I thought I'd chime in since I've gotten so much help from this forum over the years, even though I really don't have much to offer....until now.

I had all of the same symptoms.

First brake light was constant yellow. I noticed brake fluid was low and filled it to what I thought was the proper level.

Then the light turned red with the car on the lift and when I went thru and looked thru the service info, the mileage was not present of front or rear pads.

Did a scan and it said front brake pads are low. They aren't, so I replaced front brake pad sensor.

Did a scan again. Now it says rear brake pads are low. They aren't. Replaced rear brake pad sensor.

Scanned again and it said something else about the brakes, can't recall.

Same thing. Red brake light, red car on a lift.

I decided to remove some of the brake fluid as it seemed a bit overfilled.

That did it, I was able to reset the brake pad mileage from inside the car and all is perfect.

What I wonder is, if the brake fluid is overfilled, did that cause on open circuit?

Anyway, I hope this helps!

Was not able to reset mileage from external BMW computer or from car inside.
Computer state that sensor is not original and not let reset mileage.
Breaks and sensor was purchase from http://www.bavauto.com/.
Call them and they send me a new censor - waiting for my mechanic to install this week and then try to reset mileage.