BRAKE LININGS INDICATOR

If that light comes on, the brakes are worn, or the sensor is broken (which
happens when the pads are worn).

When the brake worn indicator lights, the brakes must be replaced and the
sensor must be replaced.

...

make sure u have the little electrical cord hooked up.

...

Check the wires going to the sensors. If one wears through and shorts to
ground it will trip the light.

I had the same problem on my brake lining indicator where the warning light
does not come off. I took it to a garage and found that the one of the
wires for the pad sensor had a cut. So I replaced it with a new one and
had no problems afterwards. You can get a BMW maintenance manual by
Haynes. Their website is http://www.haynes.co.uk or email:
sa@haynes-manuals.co.uk

Haynes don't have a manual for the 2001 7 series (choosing 7 Series from the
drop down pops up a generic book cover saying "NO MANUAL PLANNED". Looks
like Robert Bentley don't have one either yet. The Bentley service manuals
are supposed to be much better than the Haynes ones, although they are
somewhat more expensive.

Shameless plug time: the company I work for has recently moved from
specialising in one area of books to now selling just about anything
available in the UK. The Bentley BMW service manuals we have listed are
currently 15% off RRP. If you really want the Haynes manuals we have those
too, at 13% and 15% off RRP. Free delivery on orders over ??25. Site is
Computer Manuals at http://computermanuals.co.uk

Dan

Actually, the way it works is if there is a loss in continuity the light
goes on. So if there is a break in the wiring or if the sensor broke
previously (that's how it works) and was not replaced it will stay on.

-Fred

For a 2001 740iL?

--
*I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Why would you want to disable a warning light? Its purpose is to warn.

You might, however, disable your caps lock - it's bad form to use caps to
a newsgroup.

The worn pad warning light circuit is similar on all BMWs made for many
years, and on other cars too. The first thing to check is the sensors -
they normally need changing with the pads, but some fail to do this to
save pennies.

--
*Gargling is a good way to see if your throat leaks.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

According to my ETM, it works both ways. "Switch closes when [wear] sensor
input is 0 volts. Sensor input is 0 volts with brake wear sensor grounded or
open."