fire was coming out when she press the brakes

2019 BMW 525
14,500 MILES • 2.0L • 3 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JOHNJY56
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Hi I have recently been working in one of my clients car. She said lots of sparks and fire was coming out when she press the brakes. It's the first time that i heard about this. Can i please know why does that happen and do i have to change the pads for it or the rotors?

Thanks for the help by the way.
Just like the one in the image.
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Mar 16, 2020 at 6:39 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

Have you removed the wheel and inspected the brakes?

There could be many reasons for this issue such as debris caught between the pad and rotor, the rotor itself or the pads.

Do not drive this car at all until the issue is determined and repaired.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 6:54 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Yes, i removed the wheels and brake pads there are no debris but the only thing i notice is that the rotors has like some black color around it. It's quite a new car.
I can only believe that it was caused by the brake pads. Seems like they are cheap ones though not so sure.
Mar 16, 2020 at 6:57 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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I would start there, but be sure that the brakes are not hanging up from a possible caliper or brake hoses issue causing the pads to stay on the rotor.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-caliper-replacement

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 7:01 AM
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JOHNJY56
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I think that's what happened because she replaced the brake pads before with another mechanic.. i noticed the brakes were hanging up a little bit. So i assumed that's the problem then.
Mar 16, 2020 at 7:07 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Keep us updated with what you find.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 7:36 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Yeah, actually the matter is not with the calipers. actually the problems came from the handbrake.
It's still engaged even if she pull down the hand brake and started driving. This cause the pads to remain in contact with the rotors and got overheated and eventually sparking when pressing the brakes.
Mar 16, 2020 at 7:39 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Is the hand brake electronic?

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 7:45 AM
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JOHNJY56
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No.
Mar 16, 2020 at 7:48 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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It would be odd for a cable to hang up on such a new car.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 7:55 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Yeah..i found that odd too.
Don't know what she is doing with the brakes.
She uses it a lot it's a 2019 car and it's her second time she is changing brakes first one was not with me.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:00 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Did she return it for warranty repairs?

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:12 AM
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JOHNJY56
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No she hasn't.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:15 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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She has a 3 year 36,000 mile warranty.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:16 AM
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JOHNJY56
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I don't think she has done it yet because the car is brand new.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:18 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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It will be interesting to find out what they find.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:22 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Well, the things i found right now are cheap brake pads and handbrake problems.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:29 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Cheap pads will not cause that issue at all. The hand brake will cause it.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:36 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Yes i know...but cheap brake pads worn fast than expensive ones.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:41 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Well, it seems like she plays with the brakes. The only reason she said is for Instagram post. She has a foot fetish account.
That's completely weird.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:42 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Did you road test with her to see her habits? See if you take a video of it while she is driving.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:44 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Yeah i did.
Do you want me to send it to you?
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:45 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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And?
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:46 AM
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JOHNJY56
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She like to twist her foot on the brakes while she press the brakes and i notice she ignored the handbrake warning light.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:48 AM
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JOHNJY56
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And when i look outside the brakes was on fire, lol.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:48 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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That means you were driving or she was driving? Do both sides go on fire?

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:51 AM
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JOHNJY56
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She was driving.. she does not let anyone drive her car... yes both side on fire.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:52 AM
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JOHNJY56
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But the car is still stopping yet.
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:52 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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If I had a customer who told me I could not drive her car, I would send her away. No one ever tells me that.

Does she ride the brake pedal?

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 8:58 AM
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JOHNJY56
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No, my wife does and she doesn't believe in brake maintenance but my client no..
She use the brakes a lot but she doesn't ride the brake pedal.
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:00 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Did you say you had a video? If you did, can you send it to me?

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:02 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Okay.
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:03 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Here you go. brakes on fire at the end.
Video (Click to enlarge)
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Mar 16, 2020 at 9:12 AM
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JOHNJY56
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I took a picture of the pads as well after the car stopped.
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Mar 16, 2020 at 9:14 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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She is super overheating the brakes.

I would send her on her way. You will live with that car forever due to her bad driving habits.

Send her to the dealer.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:19 AM
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JOHNJY56
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And what about the issue with the handbrake? i am pretty sure it's helping to burn the brakes.
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:20 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Yep, but remember, if you touch it you will be doing or warrantying your work forever.

I would inspect the hand brake system to see but there would be a performance issue if it was hanging up.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:23 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Well you can also notice that the brake pedal sink all the way down at the start of the video. I asked her about it she said i happened because she was on park and once she put it on D and start driving again it became firm again like normal. i don't know if i have to check it too because i don't know if she is telling the truth.
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:26 AM
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JOHNJY56
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But i know that even if gear is on P brakes doesn't go all the way down.
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:26 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Once again, you need to drive it. If she says no, send her away.

Roy
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:28 AM
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JOHNJY56
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Do i have to repair it before sending her away? Because her brakes are overheating fast with the handbrake.
Mar 16, 2020 at 9:30 AM