Passat handbrake

johnos1984

2006 Passat with the shyte electric handbrake.

It's giving issues and is doing my nut now. Originally diagnosed as a faulty switch, I've not had the chance to change it yet. It's due to be done on the 2nd of Jan.

Anyway I'm starting to think it isn't the switch and is something else. I hit the button by mistake today. There was a long groan while only one of the calipers engaged. It released ok thank god as it had locked in place before.

Anyway after this the warning chimes kept ringing while driving warning me of a fault. Also the handbrake switch kept flashing as did a red caution symbol on the dash. There is also a symbol to tell me the handbrake isn't functioning.

The warning chime has stopped for now after ringing for half an hour while driving.

Anyway does anyone know if it is the switch or something bigger?

Just out of curiosity, how do you know only one side was applied?

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, how do you know only one side was applied?

Well it's a bit of an assumption. The car was parked on a slight incline and when it released the 'felt' like it only released on one side. It's a hard one to describe in words. The car has done it before where it will 'dip' on one side as the handbrake releases

George Dalton

It could be a few different things but there is no point in speculating about it really. The fact that the warning flashed up means there will be a fault logged in the parking brake controller. Get it scanned and see what that fault is. If it says "control head implausible signal" or words to that effect then change the switch. The switch is cheap and changing it only takes about 2 minutes so there no real excuse for not having done it before now.

johnos1984

Cheers George,

the issue with changing it was the garage I use says it's common to happen and whenever I called in they had none in stock as they had been used. I can only get in every couple of weeks. Granted i could have changed the switch it myself but I'd prefer leave him read the fault codes

swhyte027

I've done Afew of these in our own place on the passats and the Audi a6s and I can bet u hundred euro the the problem is at the wiring loom going into the caliper the wiring loom gets corroded inside and comes loose and has a bad connection from time to time and it will eventually leave u stuck its 70e per side for the new loom and I think there's 5 r 6 wires on it the wires for abs are on the same loom but it will take a hour r so to soldier in.and then ya need to recycle the system with vas pc to erase the faults.if u have any problem or need some help just ask thanks

shankespony

Reminds me had the handbrake fail as I was calling in to see a new client. One of the girls from the office asked if it was my car, went outside and it had rolled down an incline nto the bumper of a Touareg jeep so no damage thankfully, she was fine about it and given she was heavily pregnant I was sorry for any stress caused. Went back with box of chocolates to say sorry and beat myself up for being so stupid as to not put on handbrake (which I did put on). Lesson learned will never darken VW doors again and I didnt get any business surprise surprise!

johnos1984

It's not failed yet thank god.

I think the constant warning chimes today were enough to make anyone want to kick it

johnos1984

Well I parked in the middle of the driveway and now it's stuck and won't bloody release. Wouldn't normally be a problem but I've blocked 3 cars in

shankespony

shankespony wrote: »

....... beat myself up for being so stupid as to not...........

............leave the thing in gear :pac:

swhyte027

I've vas pc the diagnostics I can release the motors and she will moved then if u live nearby I'd be glad to help u out

swhyte027

swhyte027 wrote: »

I've vas pc the diagnostics I can release the motors and she will moved then if u live nearby I'd be glad to help u out

I believe John's at home in Tipp for the festivities.

Savagely decent offer on a Christmas Eve evening though in fairness to you

johnos1984

johnos1984 wrote: »

Well I parked in the middle of the driveway and now it's stuck and won't bloody release. Wouldn't normally be a problem but I've blocked 3 cars in

Jack her up and slip something akin to a canteen type tray under the back wheels John, the diesel torque will drag her along no bother, biscuit tin lids would be the right shot Especially if it's on gravel.

johnos1984

swhyte027 wrote: »

I've vas pc the diagnostics I can release the motors and she will moved then if u live nearby I'd be glad to help u out

That is SERIOUSLY a very generous offer from you but as RJ says I'm at home in Tipp.

Biscuit tin lids is a good idea RJ........gives me a good reason to attack the USA assorted tonight :pac:

To top it off there is no bloody beer in the house for the festivities.

I'm going to loose the plot

George Dalton

You are some clown for putting on the parking brake when you parked it up

Try this it sometimes works:

Remove both leads from the battery
Touch the leads off each other (away from the battery) and hold them together for about 30 seconds
Reconnect battery
Start engine
Now press the brake pedal and try to release the parking brake, it may take a good few presses before it works
If you get it released then DO NOT press the button again until you get it fixed

johnos1984

George Dalton wrote: »

You are some clown for putting on the parking brake when you parked it up

And the idiot of the year award goes to.........:o

Thanks for the handy how to guide.

I'll give it a go tomorrow or St.Stephens day

swhyte027

Ya that might work but I doubt it will work.as I really think its the problem of the wires being corroded and the only way is to release the rotors with the diagnostics I had one last week the exact same.i had to go to the customers house plug on the diagnostics release the rotors then drive it to my place and do the loom.amd to be honest it's not a big job.if u lived close r had a way to get it to me I'd have it released in 2mins for ya and can make a temp fix on the loom to get you over Xmas at least u could drive the bloody thing.and thanks people for saying its a good offer I just wouldn't like to c some one stuck over Xmas Notting more annoying.ps.stay away from the main dealer for that job

johnos1984

swhyte027 wrote: »

ps.stay away from the main dealer for that job

I'll be using the local and friendly mechanic.

I already owe him a fortune for other work he has had to do. I'm getting sick of it now

johnos1984

Disconnecting the battery worked

It's moved, no warning lights on but it's booked in early in the new year to be sorted anyway............as long as I don't press that bloody button again

johnos1984

johnos1984 wrote: »

...............as long as I don't press that bloody button again

Tape a bit of cardboard over it to make you remember, impossible not to press it again otherwise I'd say.

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

Tape a bit of cardboard over it to make you remember, impossible not to press it again otherwise I'd say.

I'll get some insulation tape tomorrow and stick something over it otherwise it will happen again

Nissan doctor

swhyte027 wrote: »

Ya that might work but I doubt it will work.as I really think its the problem of the wires being corroded and the only way is to release the rotors with the diagnostics I had one last week the exact same.i had to go to the customers house plug on the diagnostics release the rotors then drive it to my place and do the loom.amd to be honest it's not a big job.if u lived close r had a way to get it to me I'd have it released in 2mins for ya and can make a temp fix on the loom to get you over Xmas at least u could drive the bloody thing.and thanks people for saying its a good offer I just wouldn't like to c some one stuck over Xmas Notting more annoying.ps.stay away from the main dealer for that job

If the wires to the motors are corroded/broken then diagnostics won't do anything as there isn't any signal getting to the motor. This would only be possible if both motors/motor looms are in working order.

Nissan doctor

johnos1984 wrote: »

Disconnecting the battery worked

It's moved, no warning lights on but it's booked in early in the new year to be sorted anyway............as long as I don't press that bloody button again

IMO it can't be a problem with the motors or the power/loom to them if disconnecting the battery worked.

VW gave an extended warranty(3 years) on the electronic handbrake on these because so many were giving trouble.