07 Passat handbrake issue

donal7

Hi All,

So my Passat's handbrake for the past few weeks has been hit and miss. Worked sometimes others didn't but would always engage second time when pressed - error flashes up on dash. So today it gave up the ghost completely. Rang my independent mechanic - he said best case it's the switch which would cost a few hundred euro supplied/fitted. Worst case it's goi g to cost about €1000 for the part alone And then I've an issue with the passenger side lock on the door (another common Passat problem) so might be time to look at trading her in. Engine wise she is perfect with only 80k miles on the clock, I am the second owner and FSH.

Anyway looking at options in case I have to trade in. Have 2 young kids so need decent size 5 door with good boot. The Mrs doesn't like Avensis or Octavia. If the handbrake is gone on the Passat I do not want another car with electric handbrake. So really looking at something half decent looking and reliable. Saw a 2009 Mazda 6 Sport - very nice and cheap too. Any other suggestions? Only need a petrol as car is used only as a run around but still want something half decent.

Thanks guys

colm_mcm

Aren't the switches for these quite cheap though?

donal7

colm_mcm wrote: »

Aren't the switches for these quite cheap though?

Correct but if the unit is gone this will be very costly

Edit - sorry maybe my initial post was not very clear.

colm_mcm

Oh yeah, but a few hundred for the switch sounds like he hasn't done one before.

Cocobongo

donal7 wrote: »

Hi All,

So my Passat's handbrake for the past few weeks has been hit and miss. Worked sometimes others didn't but would always engage second time when pressed - error flashes up on dash. So today it gave up the ghost completely. Rang my independent mechanic - he said best case it's the switch which would cost a few hundred euro supplied/fitted. Worst case it's goi g to cost about €1000 for the part alone And then I've an issue with the passenger side lock on the door (another common Passat problem) so might be time to look at trading her in. Engine wise she is perfect with only 80k miles on the clock, I am the second owner and FSH.

Anyway looking at options in case I have to trade in. Have 2 young kids so need decent size 5 door with good boot. The Mrs doesn't like Avensis or Octavia. If the handbrake is gone on the Passat I do not want another car with electric handbrake. So really looking at something half decent looking and reliable. Saw a 2009 Mazda 6 Sport - very nice and cheap too. Any other suggestions? Only need a petrol as car is used only as a run around but still want something half decent.

Thanks guys

Had the same problem - ordered the button with all bits amd pieces from ebay for about 15eur and fixed it myself.. give it a go before you let mechanic touch it

Toyotafanboi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Aren't the switches for these quite cheap though?

They are, I wouldn't give up on the car just yet, it's far from a lost cause.

The problem is those Passats are prone to both the handbrake button failing but also the motors on the callipers.

I don't remember exactly but the price for the button is around €50 and the calliper and motor assembly are around €350. The button takes seconds to fit and any half decent mechanic will do the calliper(s) in an hour or so.

Moanin

As a previous poster said I also replaced the switch on my old Passat. I'm not very mechanically minded but replaced in a 10 mins or so. This resolved the issue that I had. It's worth trying yourself and if this doesn't resolve the problem then give it to your mechanic to do motors on calipers. Dunno where he's getting the €1000 for the job though.....

bobgaf

Also have an 07 Passat and have had numerous brake problems. Had to have the brake master cylinder and two calipers replaced. Spongy brakes for a long time, mechanics blaming tainted fluid at one stage. Said they pressure-tested the system and found nothing. Then had the cylinder replaced which sorted things for a while until the brakes locked. Had one caliper replaced and then the other. OK now touch wood but not a VW fan after the saga. Would avoid any VWs with electronic handbrakes after this experience although this may be sorted on later models. Would love a petrol Mazda 6 but they are very scarce. Had a Mazda 3 petrol and it was bulletproof. Only issue was it was heavy on petrol.

Gun Monkey

Where abouts are you living?
That guy sounds like hes plucking numbers from his ar*e. The switch is no more than 50 from a main dealer and a lot cheaper on ebay. No mechanic would charge more than a few quid to change it, it shouldnt take more than a minute for an experienced mechanic to do the switch alone or try youtube for a video guide and do it yourself, it really is simple as long as you dont need to reset fault codes on the module. Have you fault lights on the dash? Its the cheapest part involved here and its where i would start if it hasnt been done already.
If the module for the EPB is gone, you can buy a second hand one from any breakers yard for between 50 and 100 euro, ive done this multiple times for different passats and they are still working fine. There will be some labour costs involved in this (2 or 3+ hrs labour as the centre console has to be displaced as the module is directly under the cup holder, then fit and code the module and if all is working, rebuild the centre console)
If its the calipers themselves that are the problem then you have 2 options, buy a complete caliper (350+ for a new one or 180 approx for a reconditioned one, check donedeal for an exact price, the company the reconditions them advertises there, ive fitted a few of these reconditioned and they are perfect, no issues and still going strong) Or second option buy the motor on its own if the rest of the caliper is ok. Only way to confirm this is to take the motor off the back of the caliper and inspect the torx drive on the motor that goes into the back of the caliper body. If its stripped you need a caliper not just a motor. If the torx drive is ok, then the motor is gone, you can buy the motor alone for 90 euro approx, again check donedeal or google it and you will find there are some motor factors that sell the motor on its own. In short, find a mech that knows what hes doing, a diagnostic scan should give a specific fault for either left or right motors, the switch or the module, its a lot easier decide where to go from there. Or else if you are feeling lucky change the switch on your own, order 1 online, you'll have it next week and if you find a video on youtube, have a go at it, it wont cost you much and is frequently the problem with these passat epb issues.

Gun Monkey

Just looked briefly on youtube. Search for "b6 passat epb switch" and theres any number of videos on how to change it. Have a go, you never know your luck!

Guy:Incognito

Motor factors do the switches too. Very common issue. Think they are about 40-50 with a trade discount.

OldmanMondeo

Switch in motor factors about €20. Try that first, but some switches will need the ECU to be programmed to a new switch. If that doesn't work, look at the calipers, the motor is on them, usually what happens is dirt gets in can causes the motor to fail. Look for dirt gathering or cracks / breaks in the plastic motor housing.

All above can be done by yourself, presuming you know how to change a wheel... and will cost bugger all.

donal7

Thanks guys for all the helpful advice

Hopefully it is just a faulty switch. I will post the outcome of the issue. Cheers

Waterson

I thin your mechanic is quoting you a price for overhauling the whole system rather than jus the component that has failed. It would be an idea to scan the EPB module first to ascertain the exact problem.