Hand Brake Light - 5E20

Y

Youdey

Member
 Cardiff
I finally managed to clear all the codes from my car for 1 hour 45 minutes then a yellow warning for the Hand Brake came up. I have plugged it into Creator 310+ & it returned error 5E20 Pressure Sensor 1. I have looked around at what some of the forums say & there have been some suggestions that it could be due to work done on the brakes. I recently tried to replace the ABS sensor (front left) but I had to get a garage to do it as a bolt had seized & so they had to take apart the wheel to avoid breaking the bolt. Would this have caused the issue or is it likely that the sensor needs replacing?
What is the actual sensor that is picking up this issue?
 
I have managed to clear it for now but I just want to be prepared if it does come back in the future
 
It’ll be the pressure sensor on the master cylinder. There are two. No.1 is the one closest to the front of the car. Takes about two minutes to change.
 
Look at the master cylinder back right of the engine bay. There are two big brass sensors screwed into the side. I think they need a 28mm spanner, I know a standard 1” adjustable spanner isn’t quite enough. If you’re a mere mortal, I’d allow half an hour and pay special attention to spilling brake fluid all over your engine bay.

Question, was it just the yellow handbrake light, or did you have any other lights too?
 
Zedebee said:
Look at the master cylinder back right of the engine bay. There are two big brass sensors screwed into the side. I think they need a 28mm spanner, I know a standard 1” adjustable spanner isn’t quite enough. If you’re a mere mortal, I’d allow half an hour and pay special attention to spilling brake fluid all over your engine bay.

Question, was it just the yellow handbrake light, or did you have any other lights too?
Click to expand...
Will brake fluid spill out from there if I remove it?

The DSC light (yellow) is also up. To be honest I thought that light was indicating that it should go for a service but I was wrong. Both lights have now appeared after I reset them, topped up the brake fluid & took it for a 45 minute run.

Thanks both for your reply
 
I have just had a look at the prices for the part. It seems they are going for £100 each :cry: I was thinking I might as well do both but now I will probably put it off until it goes
 
Ok, that’s what I thought. Handbrake and DTC in yellow seems to be the classic combination indicating brake pressure sensor failure.

Yes, you can expect some leaking of brake fluid. This can be limited by putting a double layer of cling film under the brake fluid reservoir cap, and being prepared to swap in the new sensor as quickly as possible. It’s a good idea to stuff the cavity below the sensors with rags too. With luck you’ll only lose a teaspoon or so, but it’s still not very nice stuff and hard to get rid of.

Many people will advocate always replacing sensors with BMW parts, but I have replaced mine with pattern parts and they have been fine.
 
The two pressure sensors on the master cylinder are available on ebay you can change them out without bleeding the brakes
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285297630695?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW&itmmeta=01HZ9B444E7S5VR4BGB90ZF56P&hash=item426d105de7:g:7S0AAOSwQH1kbCIR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8NFZvJ0tdU94pftWIUmhOEEazyh3egITnT6t71dDB3FFTy8ndyLKjWX9%2FxKOFQ%2Bw0Ai45Qw7fwJnMPLzQZCYK3EAQ9sMyfFqc21oP%2FPnBLLgfTcpQAVgT329GYb9f1drg3hAIQlBI0rOpOg0oeQEfdbJxLy55o%2BSEiOxxqR7ciJaFKe6Wv2oCzUO6F3LkFJQM%2B2Xcrcvre38UjO5KZXO0nNssXySoTlf%2Bp%2FZZjMlcCV%2FtXDkzB8jQ%2FKM0Mxvr%2BH23srbBuVwlWHJSDRZduOvDY6ONA9CdRNIRG%2F1Z%2FX3PlJp4v2rkgjc%2BDszcKcl7nSqVA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMrsKQq_pj
Have replaced a couple of these no problems. With a good scanner you can see them operating and align them.
 
A rag underneath the sensor. Have the new one to hand. Crack the old one about a quarter turn and then it should unscrew by finger pressure alone. As it comes free immediately pop the new one in and finger tight, then nip it up and put the plug back in.
 
colb said:
The two pressure sensors on the master cylinder are available on ebay you can change them out without bleeding the brakes
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285297630695?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW&itmmeta=01HZ9B444E7S5VR4BGB90ZF56P&hash=item426d105de7:g:7S0AAOSwQH1kbCIR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8NFZvJ0tdU94pftWIUmhOEEazyh3egITnT6t71dDB3FFTy8ndyLKjWX9%2FxKOFQ%2Bw0Ai45Qw7fwJnMPLzQZCYK3EAQ9sMyfFqc21oP%2FPnBLLgfTcpQAVgT329GYb9f1drg3hAIQlBI0rOpOg0oeQEfdbJxLy55o%2BSEiOxxqR7ciJaFKe6Wv2oCzUO6F3LkFJQM%2B2Xcrcvre38UjO5KZXO0nNssXySoTlf%2Bp%2FZZjMlcCV%2FtXDkzB8jQ%2FKM0Mxvr%2BH23srbBuVwlWHJSDRZduOvDY6ONA9CdRNIRG%2F1Z%2FX3PlJp4v2rkgjc%2BDszcKcl7nSqVA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMrsKQq_pj
Have replaced a couple of these no problems. With a good scanner you can see them operating and align them.
Click to expand...
So this isn't something I can do without a scanner then?

Thanks everyone for the replies
 
Yes a scanner capable of seeing live data to see the sensors.
 
colb said:
Yes a scanner capable of seeing live data to see the sensors.
Click to expand...
To definitely confirm the fault.
Not required for any form of setting up once changed though.
 
Youdey said:
What data would I need to look at to confirm it is the issue?
Click to expand...
I thought you already had a code for that pressure sensor? What more are you trying to ascertain?

There are loads of options on eBay, going for around £25 the pair.
 
I do but I was a bit confused as to why I need a scanner to see the live data & align it. I've seen on other forum posts that the lights could've been caused by the system not being updated when the brakes have been bled so I wasn't sure if it would've been to do with that.
 
Youdey said:
I do but I was a bit confused as to why I need a scanner to see the live data & align it. I've seen on other forum posts that the lights could've been caused by the system not being updated when the brakes have been bled so I wasn't sure if it would've been to do with that.
Click to expand...
Sounds a bit odd?
Never had to do anything like that when I've bled the brakes.
Colin was suggesting that using a scanner to see live data would show you that one of the sensors was reading differently to the other one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom