Parking brake failure see owner's manual fault

[ellectrastar]

Hi all,

I have a 2009 VW Passat Highline estate, 2.0 tdi, 140 bhp that has recently thrown up warning message of parking brake failure and to check the owner's manual. Owner's manual tells me nothing. The warning is accompanied by the yellow P-with-a-line-through-it lamp and about three beeps. After that the parking brake cannot be released unless I turn the car off and on again. It doesn't happen every time I start up or try to release the brake. Auto-hold seems to work fine.

I've looked online for help and have seen that it may be a sensor issue. Is this something I can buy and change myself?

Another suggestion was to disconnect the battery for a period of time so the computer resets itself?

Or it could be to do with the brake calipers (which I gather is a costly job)?

Just wondered, if anyone else has had this, what the general solution was? I wasn't sure if all parking brake fault errors gave the same symptoms; some people seem to have had it and couldn't get the brake off at all, others say it's happened whilst they've actually been driving.

We've not long had a new turbo actuator vacuum and coolant pump fitted to the tune of £500 so am not going to be best pleased if this is another costly problem. The car's done approximately 85,000.

After owning a '99 Passat that (aside from unexpectedly needing a new cam belt straight after purchase) had no issues I am now getting slightly disillusioned with this new model. Sometimes this new electronic stuff is just a nuisance as it's just something else that can go wrong...

[martin1810]

It is not a sensor issue and the epb can't come on while your driving unless you press the button. Even then it will only come on at very low speed. I would ignore it and see how it goes. Sometimes you are just pressing the switch too quick or trying to move the car when the epb motors are in motion. It doesn't like that.

[ellectrastar]

I think they meant the warning had come on, not the actual EPB!

It's probably happened about three times since Saturday. I felt at the time that I'd started it a bit different. Don't ask me how as it's so automatic, but I may have had clutch and brake down at the same time and in gear in my eagerness to pull away, so I could understand it moaning at me for that, but because it's happened since as well I don't know what to think... apart from this is going to mean paying out again!

Wasn't sure whether my local garage would be able to diagnose it but I guess it's a bit more specific than the engine failure message that they seemed to struggle with before.

[RichardSEL]

I've gathered together the best bits from t'net plus other stuff about EPB in a handy bite-sized chunk of .doc if that helps.
Can be just the switch, right thru to the EPB motor and caliper change. PM me an e-mail address and will return attach. It's geared around the pre-'08MY design of EPB module but there's been reports of the post '08MY design failing too:
UKpassats.co.uk • View topic - B6 EPB calliper replacement

A replacement for his Passat ‘08MY CC costs £267 inclusive. It’s available from EuroCar Parts:
Brake Calipers | Great range of Brake Calipers for any car

Let us know how you get on?

[vespa]

The EPB on my 2009 car is permanently set, by choice, to auto application. This car has so many interlinked electronics I feel it is better left to the experts to fault find. eg a door not shut properly, brake won't come off or seat belt not fastened (in auto mode as mine) brake won't come off without pressing brake pedal and switch. Not enough revs and the brake stays on. Even if you are travelling very slowly backwards the brake will apply as the cars brains think you are rolling back. Far too complicated to mess about with. If the dealer says it is a fault and will cost ££££s to fix, you have two choices get it done by them, do it yourself or put up with it. Doing it yourself may need specialist tools. This is the first car I have never messed with and let a dealer look after it.

[ellectrastar]

Had diagnostic on it this morning and five faults logged:

Switch for Electric Parking Brake (E538)
Supply Voltage for Left Parking Brake Motor (V282)
Supply Voltage for Right Parking Brake Motor (V283)
Control Module - Internal Malfunction; CPU 2
Control Module - Electrical Error

The switch is being changed right now and they have said it could be this that is causing the other errors to show. I'm keeping everything crossed that it is sorted out, but I guess I won't know unless the error comes up again.

There are no performance problems at all. I haven't got stuck with the handbrake on, there's no drag when driving etc. I've avoided pressing the handbrake button at all since the last time the error came up in fear of it sticking! Have been putting it on and off by revving when I'm belted in to drive off, then stopping and unbelting to put it back on again. Guess I'll just have to wait and see now if it sorts it out, else I'm going to be a grand in the hole...

[martin1810]

With luck the epb switch is the problem but often if the control module reports an error, the module is faulty. Keep your fingers crossed.

[RichardSEL]

With luck the epb switch is the problem but often if the control module reports an error, the module is faulty. Keep your fingers crossed.

Modules
Here's a place that will re-build an ABS controller module:
CHEAP Bosch 5.3 ABS REPAIR VW Passat Audi A4 A6 A8 S4

[martin1810]

Modules
Here's a place that will re-build an ABS controller module:
CHEAP Bosch 5.3 ABS REPAIR VW Passat Audi A4 A6 A8 S4

Where was abs mentioned. He doesn't have an abs fault

[RichardSEL]

They do EPB modules too. Would'nt have mentioned it otherwise...