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BMW uses brake pad wear sensors to
monitor the condition of your brake pads. Although your BMW has eight
brake pads, on most models, only two pads are monitored for wear - the driver's side
front inboard pad and the passenger's side rear inboard pad.
Thus, you should only order one front and one rear
sensor. When a monitored pad has worn below 2mm, the rotor chews through a plastic bump on
the sensor and slices a wire. This causes an open circuit,
triggering a warning on your dash, either an idiot light or "CHECK BRAKE
LININGS" message. Once a warning has appeared, the sensor has
been destroyed and must be replaced.
Each Centric brand replacement sensor comes
with a wire and connector that clips into your BMW's main wiring harness.
The other end (shown below in the enlarged gray box) clips into a slot at
the top of your brake pad, with the plastic bump facing TOWARD the
rotor.
E46 M3 sensor shown - your BMW model's
sensor may have a different appearance
After replacing pads and sensors,
the dash warning will still be illuminated. However, you do not need
to go to your BMW dealer to have the warning message reset. To reset
the warning on most models, turn the ignition key to the run position, but do not
start the car. After about one minute, the brake pad warning will
reset.
To order, click here:
 and then locate your vehicle
along the left side of the on-line store page. Or, feel free to call us at
(800)222-8893 for help selecting the proper parts.
Want to make sure you're
getting the correct part? Click the part number below to see a
photograph of the sensor, along with an accurate measurement of its length.
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