[IsleOfMs]

First, bought a LAUNCH Creader Elite V2.0 fit for BMW for $200 on Amazon. It arrived set to Spanish. Figured out how to change that and noticed it had some PII from a previous owner from some shop in PA. Possibly NBD so I carried on. The manual says you have to purchase something from a built in app called Mall if you want to reset service lights or manage the EPB. I clicked on that and didn't find anything relevant I could buy. Contacted support and they said "This SN is for an overseas product. We can't support it bc you're in the US." Started the returns process and will get my money back in up to 37 days.

Ordered an Autel MK808S and it arrived same day. Just testing out functionality before my planned brake job so I tried again. Navigated to the EPB section and there's a button to put it in Workshop Mode (disables the brake). It comes back and says "In order to use this mode, you have to clear all faults." Checked for faults and the only one I have is the one that says the brakes need to be replaced. They're marked "Permanent" and it won't let me clear it.

Reached out to support and they said it can't be done. I spent $400 on this thing for this single function. Now I have to send another thing back and it will be 37 days before I get this money back.

Meanwhile I have purchased rotors and pads and shops don't want to install parts unless they get to make their markup so I am a little stressed. When I get home from work, I'll see if Bimmerlink will actualy work. I know it's supposed to be able to do it but I'm not having any luck with anything.

As I'm typing this I had an idea. I could try plugging my brand new wear sensor into the car and try again to clear the code. Of course, I live in an apt and my jack is in storage and neither place allows you to do car maintenance on property. What a PITA.

[IsleOfMs]

Gaaah. I tried BimmerLink. It just says "Failed to activate service mode"

I haven't had time to try replacing the sensors.

[BottomGear]

Originally Posted by IsleOfMs

Gaaah. I tried BimmerLink. It just says "Failed to activate service mode"

I haven't had time to try replacing the sensors.

I think that's currently a bug with Bimmerlink. I did my rear pads a few weeks ago and got the same message but it worked. I saw this error pop up on a youtube DIY video as well.

Try it again and get your eyes on the rear brakes. It might actually be working.

[IsleOfMs]

Originally Posted by BottomGear

I think that's currently a bug with Bimmerlink. I did my rear pads a few weeks ago and got the same message but it worked. I saw this error pop up on a youtube DIY video as well.

Try it again and get your eyes on the rear brakes. It might actually be working.

It was actually failing with 2 different scan tools and bimmerlink. Came here to update that the idea I had worked tho. Before you actually try to remove the pads (parking brake fully locked still), open the sensor junction box, disconnect the old sensor and plug in the new one. Just let it dangle - connected only to the junction box. This removes the "fault" and allows you to put car in service mode. Do the rest of the work and when ready, plug in the other end of the sensor to the brake pad.