Electronic parking brake problem

[jhorkey]

Ive got a b5 and my dad has a b6(07 passat variant), but he's having problems with his e-brake. it would never engage and always gave a parking brake fault. so he took it in today for regular service, they said that its not the switch but they said they cant fix it without replacing some board, which happens to cost $1000 just in parts. so hes told them not to replace the board, and live without the parking brake. any ideas on anything else i could do to fix this problem without the massive bill?

[Allbacore]

Ive got a b5 and my dad has a b6(07 passat variant), but he's having problems with his e-brake. it would never engage and always gave a parking brake fault. so he took it in today for regular service, they said that its not the switch but they said they cant fix it without replacing some board, which happens to cost $1000 just in parts. so hes told them not to replace the board, and live without the parking brake. any ideas on anything else i could do to fix this problem without the massive bill?

I got problem with e-brake last winter...The problem was that something was in the brake system and when it was cold, the e-brake didnt work. They solved it in VW, by cleaning it...

[KlausJ]

I would go for the switch in the first place anyway. Had the same problem on my 07 variant, VW changed the switch and problem solved.

[MP33dave]

Ive got a b5 and my dad has a b6(07 passat variant), but he's having problems with his e-brake. it would never engage and always gave a parking brake fault. so he took it in today for regular service, they said that its not the switch but they said they cant fix it without replacing some board, which happens to cost $1000 just in parts. so hes told them not to replace the board, and live without the parking brake. any ideas on anything else i could do to fix this problem without the massive bill?

I would think it would be covered under warranty...so who cares how much the parts are...or am I missing something?

[jhorkey]

Apparently its not covered, and there is over 65k miles on the car so thats probably why its not being covered

[MP33dave]

Wow...65k miles in under 2 years.

[Allbacore]

Wow...65k miles in under 2 years.

I ve got 40K miles in one year Thanks to our "driving" job

[MP33dave]

ugh...no thanks. I love to drive, but not like that.

[jhorkey]

ya, he drives quite a bit. anyone have any ideas about this stupid parking brake fix?

[reyesrey]

I would go for the switch in the first place anyway. Had the same problem on my 07 variant, VW changed the switch and problem solved.

Same here with my '06--same symptoms as the original poster--and VW replaced the switch under warranty two years ago. No problems ever since.

[jhorkey]

the dealership ended up paying for the parts, we just had to pay the labor. so not too bad

[deusexaethera]

[rant about overengineering bullshittery deleted]

[fsnas]

i had this problem... twice !!
look
i called the dealer and they told me how to fix it..
unplug the battery for 10 minutes then plug it again then press the breaks for 35 seconds
after that, while pressing the breaks press the e-breaks for 10 seconds..
(( i think these are the right times ))
then the cars computer will restart and the problem will be fixed !!

[joe reid]

fsnas,
What a man !!
I drive a Passat 2007, station wagon.
Had parking brake - first intermittent problem, then totally out of service.
Also system was making warning sound / bing ... even when car was driving.
Local VW garage said they could not see me until 3 Nov - and would cost EUR 150 min to fix !!

Searched the web .. found this forum ..
Tried your reset formula.
Brake now working perfect.

Many thanks.

Joe (from Ireland).

[PlaneCrazy]

Wow...65k miles in under 2 years.

I think the '07 wagons came out in mid-'06 so that could be in 3 years depending on when he took delivery.

Mine was delivered in Feb. '07 so it is a couple of months shy of 3 years, and I put 63k miles on it

[brymorg]

Further to Joe Reid and especially FSNAS, thanks for the info.
I had the same problems. First, wouldn't disengage, Fault indicated,look in manual, but only found entry P16 under 'Caution', disengaing in neutral; that worked. But yesterday, wouldn't engage, had to park 'in 1st gear'. then found this site and followed FSNAS's cure and now all's back to normal. For good, hopefully.
In view of the 65k mileage item, you might be interested to know that this is my fourth Passat (Estate Sport TDI), and my first one was the 1600cc 'L' estate, In-line engine but front-wheel drive. Over 8.5 years I did 228K business miles and NEVER had to put any oil in that engine!!! just regular servicing. The drum-brake shoes on the back wheels were the original factory fitted ones when I traded the car in. now that's good German engineering for you.
Thanks again to you both,
Bryan.
Cardiff, Wales UK

[brakeman]

Had exactly the same problem with my 06.initially an intermittent problem--randomly the switch would stay lit up and warning light on dashboard with no brakes!!!
Problem became permanent.
Can't thank you guys enough!!!!Would very much like to shake your hand and thank you in person.
By the way.I've had a problem with the e brake sticking on.Similar soution---disconnect battery for ashort time,then reconnect.
Thanks again

i had this problem... twice !!
look
i called the dealer and they told me how to fix it..
unplug the battery for 10 minutes then plug it again then press the breaks for 35 seconds
after that, while pressing the breaks press the e-breaks for 10 seconds..
(( i think these are the right times ))
then the cars computer will restart and the problem will be fixed !!

[kevinlib]

very useful info.!

[sbihue]

This is for all the forum members !

As this is the new product launched and I just want to introduce this on forum
specially for the electronics crazy forums.

This, I got after the extensive research on internet and I think that they are good and affordable.

Please have a look if it suits you. Thanks for the cooperation

RC Helicopter Camera

F^&$ this spammer

[Malachy]

Wow...65k miles in under 2 years.

I have a 07 tdi passat with 250k kms on the clock..

[Koolwhip]

Anyone thought of just pulling the fuse for the parking brake?

[PassatB6wagon]

i had this problem... twice !!
look
i called the dealer and they told me how to fix it..
unplug the battery for 10 minutes then plug it again then press the breaks for 35 seconds
after that, while pressing the breaks press the e-breaks for 10 seconds..
(( i think these are the right times ))
then the cars computer will restart and the problem will be fixed !!

Had the same problem with my 2006 2.0TDi estate a few weeks ago. Called the RAC man and he did something very similar to the above which fixed the problem...temporarily!
Yesterday it happened again, hence my search for this forum. Fortunately I was at home and could use my wife's car (a 2001 Golf with a conventional handbrake) so was not stuck too badly.
I am now waiting for the RAC again and this time I will watch more closely what he does.
I hope this is not going to be a recurrent problem. From what I have read about the stupid e-brake on B6 Passats I am not so sure.
The first time this problem happened was after a very heavy rainstorm. This time was after jet washing the wheels, so I wonder if water is getting in to the wiring or actuator.
My last car was an '03 B5 TDI 130 estate which never gave me a day of trouble over 150k miles.
You can see I am a fan of VWs, but this car may well change that...

[KlausJ]

My e-brake button did fail again after a few months over 3 years, but the dealer did change it again on warranty since it has been replaced before. The driving distance is now 95.000 km.

[PassatB6wagon]

Fault is happening more frequently now - refusing to engage or disengage. According to the previous owner the switch has been replaced before, but may be worth trying again. I guess it would be an easy DIY job?

[Black Beauty]

Hi, at how many km did you change your timing belt? TIA

I have a 07 tdi passat with 250k kms on the clock..

[Malachy]

Hi, at how many km did you change your timing belt? TIA

Every 100k kms.

[PassatB6wagon]

Fault is now permanent. Resetting makes no difference.
I have set up a Facebook group on this subject. Please join and contribute.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/...72638656097468

[Andrewso]

i had this problem... twice !!
look
i called the dealer and they told me how to fix it..
unplug the battery for 10 minutes then plug it again then press the breaks for 35 seconds
after that, while pressing the breaks press the e-breaks for 10 seconds..
(( i think these are the right times ))
then the cars computer will restart and the problem will be fixed !!

OMG I just followed your instruction man, and you know what it worked, holy sh***t man ,you are the man,because you saved me alot of ££££.£££,and also my e-brakes failed working 1 o'clock in the morning I couldn't move, but here you go thanks to the man, and problem was solved in 15 min. Thanks man.!

[jen@imagehealth]

has happened to me three times - 2006 Passat Turbo diesel - second time button was 'replaced' by dealer - happened again today - each time during wet and humid conditions.

Quicker fix than fsnas

1. Unlock car
2. Unplug negative terminal keeping keys out of the way (so you don’t accidentally press anything) and leave unplugged for 10 seconds or so.
3. Reconnect
4. Lock car
5. Unlock car
6. Insert key to light up dash but don’t start car
7. Remove key
8. Lock car for 10 seconds
9. Unlock car
10. Insert key but don’t power up
11. Unlock park brake with foot on brake – YAY!!!
12. Power up
13. Warning lights may be (anti skid control, tyre pressure, steering etc)
14. A quick drive round the block should correct the above if not into VW for resetting.

[Lams]

I am on my 3rd switch. You can apply/release handbrake (if it's just the switch)

apply: use auto-hold to drive around and put it in park and turn off the car, handbrake will apply
release: start the car, put on your seatbelt, grab D or R, and when you press the accelerator, the handbrake will release

good luck!