suspension noise; brake indicator always on

[moonraker]

Hi all

Please help new member with 3 minor problems!

1. I get a rather loud and unpleasant knock at the rear (right side only) when I go through potholes, etc. The car just passed the MOT. My trusted mechanic tells me nothing is wrong but he did not have time to check more than what is required by the MOT test (ie. remove shock absorbers, etc.). What can it be?

2. Rear brake pads changed. Front not used at all. Yet red brake warning light on dashboard is constantly on. Used to be on only when I applied the brakes, now always on. How can I turn it off?

3. Where can I get those rare centre caps for original 14" BBS alloys at a good price, even second hand? Cost more than Ԛ£30 each new!!!

Thanks!

Have had a 318is for 2 years. Caught the bug, will never sell!

[bennyp]

hi peeps,

i have the same problem with a brake warning light on mine,

i pulled a wire off the car when i changed the pads and its been lit ever since.....

[RLawley]

Black tape over the warning light

I think the warning light is quite common - I've got it too. Bad connection to the sensor? Mine comes on intermittently - when the pads were wearing out it would come on when i braked (so I could tell the difference between it coming on randomly).

[fowler]

moon raker the noise at the back is probably the rear suspension mount E3o's ar renound for it shit of a job but well worthit change rear shocks at the same time
Brake sensor conected round the right way, faulty sensor ?
abouty 3 quid from GSF or euro
PM with the BMW part number for the caps and i will see what i able to do
Regards Ben

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Does sound like the sensor to me. I ordered one from euro car parts but its got the wrong connections on both ends!

Anyone had a similar experience with brake sensors?

[moonraker]

Wow, thanks for all these tips guys. Keep it coming!

[kidsinister]

You did change the sensors, didn't you? They need to be changed with the brake pads; they wear with the pad, which breaks the wire inside, also breaking the circuit - ergo, light comes on.

Alec

[moonraker]

Alec 318is, thanks. That is the whole point. I never changed the brake pads!!! Let alone the sensor ... Two yrs ago I bought my 318is and the red brake warning light came on whenever I braked - and only when I braked. I thought I had to change the pads: my mechanic (not a BM specialist) told me pads were OK, indeed they are thicker than thick toast! (Car was not driven much in year 1 with me). Now, it is on all the time. Anyway, it is irritating but not a pb. I thought I would share that with you all. Anyway as this is a common minor pb and you can check the pads visually, I will wait till the bulb burns out!!! Unless it is a long life LED but I doubt it! Cheers!

[johnono]

You did change the sensors, didn't you? They need to be changed with the brake pads; they wear with the pad, which breaks the wire inside, also breaking the circuit - ergo, light comes on.

Alec

this is prolly it, if u just changed pads (and your sensors were connected, not like mine )

i heard from "The Moooore" that the sensors themselves can read funny due to salt or grit getting into the connection, mixing with moisture thus causing the connection

mine (both front and back) were wrapped around the back damper and front caliper, neither were plugged in but i got a intermittant reading, but only when wet

then i went down the beach... dont ask why with all the salt and grit but anyway, i found a nice little pothole full of salt water and drove though it at snail pace smart
from then on, the sensor light stayed on constantly

i unplugged the sensors, brushed in the contacts with a cloths brush, and an earbud and hey presto