Parking Brake and Rear Calipers

[DouglasB6]

Had my 2.0 TDI SE back at main dealers 2 weeks ago because of flashing lamp in parking brake switch(the switch was replaced 1.5 years ago when parking brake locked on) and loads of noise from motors when applying parking brake. Was told the car required new calipers and that cost would be around £900 but that they could not do it as no parts in UK and they had 3 other Passats needing the same job done. This week things got worse flashing light on dash, on switch and constant beeping as soon as the car turns a wheel. Have been told by the delership that beep cannot be switched off and as I do a 70 mile commute each way daily the car is undriveable due to the noise. Is this a common fault on B6's. Also given the fact the dealership has 3 more cars with the same fault I am wondering how many more cars there are like this across the UK. Surely my local dealership can't be the only one in the UK with this issue.:zx11:

[martin1810]

It's a fairly common problem as the cars get older. The recent bad weather has made things worse.

[varouj]

I had the same problem with my car.It was the offside rear that stoped working and after following Martins good writeup about the stripping and cleanig the motor on the caliper I managed to free it.After opearating the parking brake a few times all the warning lights went off.Mine had a long crack on the body of the motor which water got in and did the damage.Will try to buy two new motors when they are in stock.

[DSG4ME]

Check it's the caliper at fault, I seem to remember you can buy the motor for about £40, as a caliper has no electrics in it, and unless the seal has gone or it leaks there is no reason to trash a perfectly good caliper, VW honesty as usual, same thing with the steering lock, a repair they insisted needed a new coloumn at a cost of a grand became a £350 repair, funny how it arrived at the sametime weight was gaining to sue them for poor parts isn't it.

[Amsel]

I have the same problem with the near side caliper, there aren't any motors in the UK either if that is the only problem.

I am going to try and free it off myself tomorrow

[Zooty]

Mine is in the same state. Started to get warnings and parking brake failing to apply in January. Took it to dealer who ordered a new caliper and quoted £480. Will question this now if only the motor needs changing.

Parking brake seized on a week later so have been unable to move car for six weeks.

Have been told parts not expected in UK until early April. That's another month carless. There is a problem with supply from the factory, but no further details forthcoming. I wonder if the cold weather this year has caused a major outbreak of brake motor failures across Europe?

Not at all happy with VW and the Passat. This is the fourth major failure I've had in 12 months. Car fit for purpose? I think not.

[martin1810]

Why not just wind the piston back by hand and drive the car ?

[Zooty]

Because I wouldn't know where to start, and I can be a bit of a brown midas when it comes to things mechanical so messing with the brakes doesn't seem wise to me.

Is it something I could do? How exactly would I do it?

Thanks if this can get me back on the road safely!

[Amsel]

The motor is only held on by two T30 torx bolts. Remove them and then use a T45 to wind off the brake yourself, turn the screw clockwise to release the brake.

have a look at Martins website which shows you how to.

http://sites.google.com/site/1810martin/passat-b6-electric-park-brake

Winding off the brake will at least get you back on the road again as I have done until I can get another motor

[Zooty]

Hi, can anyone confirm that the motor is available on its own as a genuine VW part? Does anyone have the part number? My dealer are claiming that only a complete caliper+motor unit is available.

[DSGboy]

I think I am needing a couple of these motors too! :/

[DSG4ME]

Martin, remember we had a chat about changing the pads the other day, and you told me it was ok to wind back manually etc but the new pad might make the ecu throw one, would I be right in thinking I can bypass the VCDS bit as long as I used genuine VW pads, or not, tia.

[martin1810]

Hi, can anyone confirm that the motor is available on its own as a genuine VW part? Does anyone have the part number? My dealer are claiming that only a complete caliper+motor unit is available.


Servomotor for brake caliper housing with assembly parts.
3C0 998 281 B

£202.50 plus VAT.

[martin1810]

Martin, remember we had a chat about changing the pads the other day, and you told me it was ok to wind back manually etc but the new pad might make the ecu throw one, would I be right in thinking I can bypass the VCDS bit as long as I used genuine VW pads, or not, tia.

Yes...In theory you can put 12v on the motor and wind the piston pusher, all the way back. Push the piston in and then wind the motor forward until the piston just tries to move. That should put the piston/motor in the exact position for new pads.
You just need the new pads to be the same thickness as the original pads when new. I wouldn't advise this method but I can't see why it won't work, especially with OEM pads.

[DSG4ME]

Servomotor for brake caliper housing with assembly parts.
3C0 998 281 B

£202.50 plus VAT.


£250!!! for a OO gauge model train motor, VW really know how to rip it out of ppl, I was thinking of getting rid of tbh, I had the Avensis in mind for a replacement until my mates one shot the turbo @ 78k last week, mind you his is the old model and a diesel, where the one I want is the new model and petrol and without a turbo,dpf,pump etc, I rang on behalf of a mate whose Octavia has suffered the fuel filter pipe fracture fault, another sub standard design both in materials and design given that the vibration on the hoses will stress crack aluminium lids with J pipes attached to them, £180 can't just buy the lid, have to buy the whole lot.

[Quatrelle]

£250!!! for a OO gauge model train motor.....

Just as well they don't make model trains then:(

[Stuart W]

I wonder if the cold weather this year has caused a major outbreak of brake motor failures across Europe?

The cold weather may be a factor - my first caliper went last winter and the second this winter :zx11: - but perhaps the bigger factor is that many of the cars are getting to the sort of mileage where the caliper and mechanism is failing, thus the glut of posts and the supply problem for the replacement part. It was the same with the fuel tank pump a couple of years ago, but fortunately that was generally repaired under warranty because they tended to go at lower mileages.

The mileage/age factor is the same with the injector and clutch/DMF failures, which I can't really recall reading much about on here two or three years ago, but at least with these there doesn't seem to be a supply problem with the parts, more a case of a supply problem regarding the bank accounts of those paying for it.

Haven't read any complaints recently about the oil pump-related failure wrecking the engine on some of the earlier 2.0 PD lumps. Presumably they've either all done the damage by now or VW's 'campaign' managed to catch the rest in time. :D

[The Rover]

Warning light came on mine this week and took it to the garage yestersay.

The caliper actually seized while I was there!! Not good it has failed but at least I was in the right place. They have managed to free it off and I can use the car while they try and source a new one. Seeems they are back ordered though as the thread states.

Hopefully my warranty should cover it.

Cheers Stuart.:beerchug:

[Zooty]

£250!!! for a OO gauge model train motor, VW really know how to rip it out of ppl,

It does seem ridiculously expensive. I've been quoted £350ish (inc VAT) for the complete caliper and motor assembly.

[Amsel]

Was told today that if your dealer has informed VW that your vehicle is VOR and supplied a registration number then VW will be shipping new calipers with motors to the dealers next week.
If you are not registered as being VOR then the wait continues.

[lc25]

Mine died on Friday night currently sat in the dealers garage least its still under 1yr warranty

[DSGboy]

I wonder if VW will recognise any responsibility for out of warranty replacements - it seems such a coincidence all of these are going wrong?!

[Zooty]

Was told today that if your dealer has informed VW that your vehicle is VOR and supplied a registration number then VW will be shipping new calipers with motors to the dealers next week.
If you are not registered as being VOR then the wait continues.


Has anybody heard of any arriving at dealers yet?

[The Fingers]

reading the new manual for the B7 passat, if you leave the car for any length of time now the motors will periodically wind backwards and forwards one at a time to avoid sticking / failier.

Also i know if you jabbed the button in the B6 it seemed to apply all brakes to bring the car to a stop. It now says that only the rear wheels will be braked if you pull up on the new switch (push down for off / pull up for on) It will only stay on for as long as you hold the button up as soon as you let go it lets off again. did a mini trial on some gravel and it seems to work like a conventional hand brake.

The motors also seem to make a slightly different noise when putting the brake on. I wonder if they have changed the system on the new one.

[Quatrelle]

[QUOTE=The Fingers;628771....Also i know if you jabbed the button in the B6 it seemed to apply all brakes to bring the car to a stop. ....[/QUOTE]

It certainly doesn't on mine;)

[bundao]

I've had the parking brake malfunction recently too.

Oddly, it started happening after I changed the front brake pads!

Now if I use autohold and let the car apply the parking brake itself, the fault is present when I next try to use the car. Disconnecting the battery sorts it all out though.
I have been unable to recreate the fault by just using the parking brake button.

Any ideas? The only difference I can think of is that the brake fluid reservoir is now nearly full as I didn't bother drawing any brake fluid off when I put the new pads in. I didn't go anywhere near the rears by the way

[Amsel]

Has anybody heard of any arriving at dealers yet?

Just been called to say the caliper is at the dealers, if you are waiting it's now worth a call to chase your own dealer up.

[Zooty]

Just been called to say the caliper is at the dealers, if you are waiting it's now worth a call to chase your own dealer up.

Yep, just had a call 10 mins ago to say mine has arrived too. A mere eight weeks after ordering. Now I just have to get the car there to be fixed.

[Amsel]

Yep, just had a call 10 mins ago to say mine has arrived too. A mere eight weeks after ordering. Now I just have to get the car there to be fixed.

Job for me tomorrow, too nice a day here to consider any form of work!:biglaugh:

[Amsel]

Well after taking the wheel off, opened the box for the new caliper and discovered the motor housing had been broken in transit. Dealer now has plenty in stock so they are sending out a new one tomorrow, unfortunately it will be next week before I get the chance to fit it.:(

[goe555]

I've just been reading martins site and I think the diagrams and explaination of the B6 EPB are excellent. Now, If I want to change the rear pads/disks I'm a little perplexed as to why I need to use a diagnostic tool to set the caliper in a service position. I understand that the motor and gear unit are fairly straight forward using 12 volts to wind the piston into the brake position and reverses to release. I understand that the control unit will see a rise in current and stop the motor when the pads are compressed against the disk.

If I remove the motor assembly from the caliper and wind back the actuator with a tool as decribed, then carefully ease the hydraulic piston back, this should enable the carrier and pads to be removed in the traditional way.

When new pads are installed and it's all assembled, as far as I can see, the motors should run, pushing the pads into the braked position and stop as the current peaks. Of course, removing the motor makes the job long winded but I can see no special sensors to measure pad thicknes or travel of the actuator. So on the face of it, it seems do able. So, my learned friends, what have I missed? and what would be the consequences? will something fry or cease to opereate?:confused:

[martin1810]

I don't think you can change the pads and then apply the epb to set it. The motor will wind too long before the current peak occurs, so the control module will have a fit. (I think, as I haven't tried it) The only way round it is to wind the piston screw back in until the piston just starts to move. Then fit the pads and motor. Then the pads and pistons are more or less in the right place when you press the epb button to apply the brake.

[goe555]

Thanks Martin, I wouldn't want to risk srambling its brain so your tip seems logical to me. Like your site by the way Very informative and detailed.:beerchug:

[dilun]

Had this problem on my 05 140 sport over christmas.Managed to free them off eventualy.But a friend of mine had a quote for £200 pound per side (motor only) from a vw audi parts specialists T P S.
Hope this helps somebody.

[DSG4ME]

This is an upside down mentality, some won't use the EPB to preserve it, it's just that that kills it, you must keep it exercised for it to last.

[Stuart W]

This is an upside down mentality, some won't use the EPB to preserve it, it's just that that kills it, you must keep it exercised for it to last.


Well I've always taken the view that it would pack up eventually and that since mine is a taxi I could well use it over a couple of hundred times a day, so I tend to use it as little as possible.

But I still use it perhaps a dozen times a day at least - I wonder is this is enough, or would my calipers have packed up even earlier if I'd used it more?

It's moving up the rank that's the big problem, since you could need to use the brake several times between jobs, so I tend to just stick it in gear.

DSG4ME, do you use your EPB on the rank?

[goe555]

I wonder how many full stress cycles V.W did during the development of the EPB?. I know that when the Morris Minor was being developed the torsion bars where tested to almost a million "full stress reversals" and that's an unachievable suspension travel in use. The rest of the cars fell to bits.

Seriously though with the amount of agro the EPB seems to have caused folk, I ask is it fit for purpose? should there be a recall albeit a mighty expensive one? This sort of kit should not bust, crack or seize, or pack up if serviced properly, it's a parking brake and needs to work, every time.

[DSG4ME]

DSG4ME, do you use your EPB on the rank?


All the time Stu, it's a motor and they sieze if left too long without use, I see your thinking btw, and it's how you would logically think to preserve it, but I think the best way to avoid problems is to quote a phrase....use it or lose it :D

[Amsel]

Well I changed the near side caliper today and got another error code for the offside, on checking it the motor housing has cracked on it in the same place as the near side. Goodbye to another £260.

Personally I think the failures are caused by poor quality components rather than a lack of use which has nothing to do with casings cracking.

[Stuart W]

All the time Stu, it's a motor and they sieze if left too long without use, I see your thinking btw, and it's how you would logically think to preserve it, but I think the best way to avoid problems is to quote a phrase....use it or lose it :D

Thanks - I see your thinking as well, but after 130,000 miles in it I can't really see myself changing my habits, although I will try to use it a bit more. In fact since reading all this this year I've been using it a bit more, for example if I just had the car out for a long drive one day then previously I might just release it when setting off and engage it again when parking up at the end of the day, but I'll make a point of using it a few times now.

I've always been a bit paranoid about it jamming on as well, particularly on the rank or at traffic lights. :Blush2:

I used to get annoyed at peopl who would sit at traffic lights with their foot on the brake, but it doesn't bother me now, I wonder why that is? :Blush2:

[Stuart W]

I wonder how many full stress cycles V.W did during the development of the EPB?. I know that when the Morris Minor was being developed the torsion bars where tested to almost a million "full stress reversals" and that's an unachievable suspension travel in use. The rest of the cars fell to bits.

Seriously though with the amount of agro the EPB seems to have caused folk, I ask is it fit for purpose? should there be a recall albeit a mighty expensive one? This sort of kit should not bust, crack or seize, or pack up if serviced properly, it's a parking brake and needs to work, every time.

Well I'm not sure if it's changed much for the B7, apart from the repositioning of the switch to the middle of the dashboard?

But perhaps the cars are just getting to the sort of age and mileage now when these problems become apparent, and the lack of spares suggests that VW hasn't anticipated the volume of failures?

Or is it perhaps the usual internet syndrome of people only appearing when they have a problem, thus it looks to us like a bigger issue than it acutally is?

Anyway, it's certainly the main reason that I doubt if I'll be buying another Passat, at least to use as a high mileagle taxi for half a dozen years or so.

[DSG4ME]

Personally I think the failures are caused by poor quality components rather than a lack of use which has nothing to do with casings cracking.


Absolutely, but using it should stop it seizing up due to the water not being able to create rust.

Before you buy another one, can you not clean and then seal the motor with something like metal glue, you get an error code while changing pads anyway as the ign has to be on and the sensors sense the caliper isn't in place, you just erase it once fully done.

[Amsel]

[QUOTE=DSG4ME;631446]Absolutely, but using it should stop it seizing up due to the water not being able to create rust.

I've had the car since new and use the EPB every time I stop, including at traffic lights, so the motors have been well used.

I stripped the near side in an effort to free it off but the wobble gears were solid even after soaking them in wd40 I managed to split one of the gears while trying to free it so it was game over.

When I got the error code saying the offside was faulty I noticed the motor housing was split on it as well at the same place, local dealer only had one caliper left and rather than potentially have to wait weeks again I fitted the new caliper.

My biggest concern is that I very much doubt any updates have been applied to the quality of the motor housings and I suspect the new parts will fail in a few years time as well, the only difference being is now that I am aware of the problem I will inspect the calipers periodiacally and if another crack appears hopefully I will be able to apply a sealer before any damage is done.

If you have stripped one of the motors yourself then you will see there appears to be very little in the way of cost associated with the components, it's annoying when VW have you over a barrel when it goes wrong.

[goe555]

Well Guys And Gals, I took delivery of my "approved" Passat estate yesterday, albeit a 2008 version,and replaced my trusty steed, a 2004, , Highline which was well uo to scratch in every way. I felt a pain in the chest when I pressed the EPB button and nothing happened today.....then i put my foot on the brake pedal, tried again, and all was well. This weekend I shall be playing with the gizmo's and finding out about DSG boxes and "press and hold" features of the EPB and auto hold. (I do love that DSG box though).

I just hope that the EPB does not leave me stranded some place, but I will, being the techno geek that I am, have a shufty around the EPB motors in case of cracks. Don't get me wrong , I aint looking for trouble for the sake of it , but if I find it......??????

[DSG4ME]

@ Amsel, I agrre they should be accountable for shoddy parts, I don't think the motors themselves fail unless contaminates like water get in the housing, which they will if VW don't make a housing strong enough to withstand flying stones and heat, as you mention the whole thing is a sham, I said earlier the motor itself is the same as something you would find in a ten quid kids toy, yet VW choose to charge 25X as much for it, the first reported £40 price I thought was reasonable, but £250 per unit, just taking the Liebframilch really isn't it.

[Hughmungus]

Hi, we have a Passat B6 at the moment with a P0226 fault code plus he has the handbrake warning light up. He has taken the car away at the moment so we can't check the motor housing. We supect that there may be a fault with the motor/s and hence throwing up a throttle position sensor fault as it gets its info from it?. Any thoughts on that are we barking up the right tree as it were?.

Not going to see the car again until Thursday so won't be able to check the motor housings until at least then. Called my VW parts supplier and the first he might see some motors is early May.

He has just had one injector replaced (another common fault) as well so it looks like bad news again and another hole in his other pocket :(

Thanks in advance

[martin1810]

Generic P codes are often useless on VW's. But I can't see how a throttle fault code could relate to the epb.

[Hughmungus]

Had it back in and the housing on one has cracked suspect it's buggered now. The handbrake comes on and goes off ok but then randomly the handbrake warning light can come on and it goes into limp mode and drives terrible.

It's been fine for a week and now it did it again last night and is back in limp mode and the EPB warning light is on. I am assuming its in limp mode and he's not forcing it to drive with the EPB on or partially on as I have never driven it whilst it's like this.

Anyone had these symptoms before? would it go into limp mode just becuase of the EPB warning light or maybe there is something else?

I have been thinking and beleive that it's the TPS that is at fault and that it's nothing to do with the EPB.s I read in another forum that he had issues with the EPB and the TPS sensor and went into limp and VW said probably TPS. I'll get a new one and hope that it cures it.

Thanks

[goe555]

Always a mistery when several probables are in line for assessment. Might be a good idea to have it plugged in to a diagnostic; at least, if that can identify the fault it may well save you the cost of a TPS and the disappointment of a negative result. It could well throw up one problem which is causing another. Not a helpfull answer I know, but I've spent years fixing and on many occasions wasted good money and time on stuff and found the problem in the end to be a most unlikely suspect. For example, I had a car in with an intermittant squeak from under the dash. It wasn't until I ripped out the heater and washer system that I found the cause. A wild kitten had got in there some how! Cure?? a saucer of milk. Problem solved. Having said that, I wouldn't recomend pouring a saucer of milk over the EPB light......but you never know???

[kayble]

Dear all,

First post on this forum, but used to forums in general after owning and maintaining my previous Vauxhalls and Smart car myself - using tutorials and how tos from the web. I suspect this is a well worn topic now! I own a 56 plate Passat B6 with 36k miles on the clock. I've been receiving intermittent parking brake warnings on the MFD and this afternoon my OSR rear caliper parking brake has seized on after a couple of weeks of increasingly noisy operation. This also happened a month ago but I disconnected the caliper motor from the car wiring harness and then reconnected and it worked again as a temporary fix, although the motor was very noisy indeed - you could hear it many feet away with the engine running, more so with it off! Just before it seized today, I took it to a VAG dealer who confirmed the noise was coming from the caliper but could not give me a part number for the motor and simply said that the caliper and motor came together and that they would need to fit it.

I don't quite buy that and after reviewing Martin's rather informative site, I believe that it should be a case of replacing the OSR caliper motor assembly to restore the parking brake function. Before I jump in however, I wanted to ask some questions:

1. Do I need Vag-Com/VCDS to replace the caliper motor? I was under the impression that it would just be case of getting both motors to disengage the parking brake on both sides, then with wheels suitably chocked, get underneath and change the caliper motor assembly and then simply operate the parking brake from the button on the dash to get the system to calibrate the new motor and away you go. Is there more to it than this?

2. Can I approach a VAG dealer with the part code that was mentioned earlier in this thread and have them order the part for me? Normally I wouldn't think twice of approaching a parts/service desk with a request like that - but the comment I was given today made me think twice!

3. If I'm lucky enough to get the OSR motor to work again, would I be able to disconnect it whilst sourcing a new part and simply run the NSR handbrake - whilst leaving the car in gear to ensure it doesn't go anywhwere when parked? Presuming there would be some error messages to deal with but can live with that if it means the car is usable/moveable whilst a new part is ordered.


Thanks in advance for your responses :)

[martin1810]

1. As long as you have the motors unwound, you can just change the broken one without need for VCDS.
2. You can go to daler or dind local TPS and order motor using part number.
3. Yes you can disconnect broken one and use other one.

You may end up needing VCDS to clear codes when everything is sorted.

[kayble]

Just a quick update.

The caliper worked when i came back to the car after about an hour or so. With the parking brake off, I jacked the car up and disconnected the OSR caliper motor. The NSR still works as expected, but there's a constant beeping when you drive the car. it alternates between the 'tailgate open' beep when in motion to the shrill 'somethings wrong!' beep when stationary although it only beeps twice in that loud mode!

[martin1810]

Sorry...I forgot to say that you will get a warning. Wear ear muffs ???

[kayble]

Indeed, it was rather annoying on a sub 5 mile commute. I did have a round trip to Peterborough planned for this weekend but may well reconsider now!

Can I confirm that part '3C0 998 281 B' Is the part in the following image:

https://sites.google.com/site/1810martin/_/rsrc/1290282967850/passat-b6-electric-park-brake/B6%20rear%20caliper%20motor%201.jpg

This is the part that I presume is making all the horrible racket on the caliper and that can be replaced relativley simply. I shall go about sourcing the part in my lunch break :)

[martin1810]

Yes that is the motor that is making the noise and that is the correct part number. A dealer may well tell you it is not available. It should be, so just insist they order it. Current list price is £214.14 plus vat. It fits both left and right. Turn the radio up on a long journey.:biglaugh:

[kayble]

Well my local TPS have the part in stock at £236.41 incl. VAT. Will collect later today and report back.

[kayble]

The new part has been installed and faults have cleared from dash and MFD. The parking brake operation is significantly quieter - but not as quiet as a 57 plate passat that my local dealership had on the forecourt - which was almost silent. Might this be down to the NSR motor being on the way out as well - or was there some change to the mechanism that reduced the noise by design?

Thanks to all for you assistance :)

[Amsel]

You might be unlucky like me. When I changed the N/S the O/S went within a few days. Unfortunately I doubt if VW have done any mods to the new motors as they have only recently started to fail in number as far as I am aware and we are probably being supplied with unmodified parts.

[m1511]

Can anyone advise the best course of action?

I have just been charged £75 by the local VW dealer to diagnose the fault on my 2006 Passat EPB, the warning lights are flashing on the dash and the parking brake isn't working on one caliper. I thought an hour and a half was a long time for them to run the diagnostics? I was told that both rear calipers are faulty and that the faulty calipers have damaged the EPB control unit - the quote for the repair is over £1500!! I took the car out of the garage as I can't afford the repair.
One of the calipers stopped working after it 'froze' on during the bad weather. Once the system was reset by disconnecting the battery, etc it never worked again.
Is it likely that both calipers are faulty given that one is still working and is it likely that the EPB control unit has been damaged?

Thanks.

[Amsel]

Think you need to try a local VW specialist. As above both my calipers went and threw up all sorts of error codes however these were reset once the calipers were changed. Try Martins site for info on how to strip the motors, some have had success in freeing them off and saved themselves a fortune. Just remember that the fault codes will have to be cleared once everything is working. Dont give your car to someone who hasn't worked on the EPB before as they will probably cost you more.

http://sites.google.com/site/1810martin/passat-b6-electric-park-brake

[Greg.w]

Can anyone confirm a few things for me before I attempt a fix on my b6 passats n/s rear caliper motor.

Basically I had a fault coming up and my parking brake would not work. Changed the button and it's working again but fault still coming up. Checked both brakes at rear an only the o/s is working. But when I spin n/s wheel and push the brake it works. So calipers fine but the motor isn't obviously.

Right so can you tell me(these are probably in this thread but can anyone just double confirm them as I'm terrified I'll knackered something up as with all new audis/vws the electrics are a nightmare)

1)Is it ok to disconnect the motor with the battery still connected or will it cause more problems?
2)If I remove the motor should the parking brake be off so both calipers are disengaged? Or on?(only one caliper is functional just now. Other is seized I presume)
3)if and when I remove it and(fingers crossed)fix it, will the fault clear by itself when it knows it's working fine?
4)What size torx do I need to disconnect the motor?

Thanks in advance

[kayble]

Dear all,

Just a follow up after I changed my OSR EPB motor. Since I swapped the motor, I have had no further warnings on MFD. The EPB is appreciably quieter in operation but still not as quiet as the 57 plate passat that my dealer has on the forecourt that is almost silent in operation.

[GATKINS]

Hi,

I have been reading through this thread with some dismay having purchased a used B6 estate back in May. I have had a few odd failings of the system since I bought the car, usually reset by toggling the EPB off and on a few times. However in the last week it has failed many times with inconsistent results. At one point I seemed to have one caliper braked and the other off. I have had all combinations of warnings in the instrument cluster and after one stop at traffic lights had the EPB switch and dash warnings flashing along with the loud warning beeper all the way home. The flashing EPB switch continued even with the ignition off and doors locked so I had to disconnect the battery. Even after this "reset" when I next inserted the start key to pre ignition position the flashing resumed so I assume the ECU had stored the fault condition. After "playing" with the switch the fault eventually cleared.

I am currently driving around with the EPB off and not using it as I need the car for work but the yellow EPB failure warning in the dash is constantly on.

As the car has now done 97K I would not be surprised if the motor units are getting a bit sticky and tired.

Interestingly I have just found this TRW article basically stating that the motor unit has been redesigned with a new planetary gearbox instead of the wobble plate drive. This surely confirms the "design failure" of the old Passat EPB that has been widely discussed here and in many other places. It may well also explain the comments about more recent cars having much quiter operation of the EPB.

http://www.trwaftermarket.com/en/News/EPB-calipers/

I am no Luddite, I work with advanced electronics, but I have to say I am neither impressed with the EPB or the "Alarm remote in-the-hole" start system. Nothing wrong with the old handbrake and key / pushbutton starting. These are just "cosmetic" niceties, unlike ABS, traction control and ECU systems that have definite safety / economy and performance benefits.

I wish I'd gone for a late B5 Passat now without the toys and with a better looking rear end (My opinion :-) ).

Graham :confused:

[SoulkeepHL]

Just a quick update.

The caliper worked when i came back to the car after about an hour or so. With the parking brake off, I jacked the car up and disconnected the OSR caliper motor. The NSR still works as expected, but there's a constant beeping when you drive the car. it alternates between the 'tailgate open' beep when in motion to the shrill 'somethings wrong!' beep when stationary although it only beeps twice in that loud mode!

I hate for my first post to be a suuuuuper necro-bump, but for those that still need to use their cars without going mad from the incessant beeping while waiting for replacement parts, if you pull the fuses to your EPB and ABS systems (fuse locations vary wildly by trim and model year), you'll be left with no ABS, ESP, or EPB, but also no beeping while traveling over 5 mph. Not an ideal "solution", but it's that or turning your stereo up to 11 (and associated ear bleeding).

[gazza007]

Well B6 has been in Indy for lots of jobs.
New EPB's Calipers & Pads
NSF CV Boot
Under seat Air bag light wiring & reset
Interim Service
Cooling system flush & new Antifreeze
Rear wheel alignment check (saw tooth issue with Kuhmo') Was OK, so definately down to the tyres.
New front Brake Pads because they noted that National had fitted Unipart brakes Pads for a Golf VR6 and the wheel could hardly turn. I'll be in touch with National next week for refund.
General all over check of everything else.
Jimmy the manager thought Id hit the roof after seeing the bill & gave full explaination of all work done with genuine VAG parts.
Its cost me an arm & a leg but peace of mind as I know I would have to add a lot more at a main dealer.
Anyway a very good VAG Indy. Annan Town Garage 01461 202832. I will be visiting for future servicing & well worth the trip north.
BTW decided to get a better arm rest & HID kit off the net this afternoon.

[gazza007]

Just a quick update.. After several conversations with National, I have been promised a refund for the pads, they are saying that the Unipart system they use for ordering stands by what they ordered but obv they are the wrong thickness. Fortunately Jimmy from Annan Town Garage got the pads dropped off & expalined that they were the wrong ones.

I have now fitted the Armster armrest I ordered, had a few creaking issues that I have now fixed with some tap washers. Hopefuly HIDs will come soon.

[nick.king]

Afternoon,

Replaced the front discs and pads this morning on my 2007 Passat Sport Estate and wanted to also do the rear, took the rear wheels off and the pads (using VCDS) but couldn't get the caliper retainer off so we could remove the disc as we didn't have the correct tool.

Can anyone advise on the size/tool required? I've attached 2 images for reference.

Many thanks,
Nick.

[RichardSEL]

Second pic is triple-square MT14. Also referred to as a "Spline Bit" or "XZN Driver". Don't ask!
Would also suggest overnight penetrating oil :rolleyes:

[nick.king]

Thanks for your prompt reply, much appreciated.

[goe555]

I kept my 08 b6 for 3 yrs, went back to main dealer to PC for a 11 plate. It was too much money no warranty to cover epb once 1yr passed. All in all I though my b6 was an expensive dog with issues so I went for se Tourane with a proper parking brake. So far so good.

[nick.king]

Afternoon,


Has anyone replaced the rear discs and pads with VCDS/VAG-COM and can offer any advice?


I've found a couple of great guides 2007 Passat - Rear Brakes - DIY with VAGCOM - With PICS! (http://www.passatworld.com/forums/91-b6-garage/351133-2007-passat-rear-brakes-diy-vagcom-pics.html) and VWVortex.com - B6 Passat Rear Brake R&R DIY (http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3865092-B6-Passat-Rear-Brake-R-R-DIY) but I have a question for which I've seen multiple different answers, some say push some say twist!

So my question is when using VCDS/VAG-COM to wind back in the piston on the rear caliper should it retract the whole way or do you have to PUSH or TWIST it back in manually after carrying out this procedure - http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php?title=VW_Passat_%283C%29_Parking_Brake&oldid=3795
(http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php?title=VW_Passat_%283C%29_Parking_Brake&oldid=3795)

It's a 2007 VW Passat Estate Sport 170 FYI.


Any advice much appreciated.


Nick.

[RichardSEL]

This is the DIY I followed (my tyre fitter followed it as he's got the lift)

This is a "how-to" for pads, rotors (discs), caliper removal, and pitfalls. Plenty of pix:
2007 Passat - Rear Brakes - DIY with VAGCOM - With PICS! - Page 2 (http://www.passatworld.com/forums/91-b6-garage/351133-2007-passat-rear-brakes-diy-vagcom-pics-2.html)

[nick.king]

Done, took some time as those caliper bolts would not budge for a while, if it wasn't for that would have been done in an hour.

[RichardSEL]

And if you havn't already done so, get that EPB module flash updated:approve: If it goes again, say on the other side, you don't want the excess current taking out your control module too:aargh4:

[Josana]

Many thanks to you all kind people for the EPB failure posts. I am new to this VW Passat Saga, having bought my 2006 2.0 TDI in April this year with 65000 miles on the clock. 3 days ago it began flashing the EPB warning and giving the audible beep intermittently. Today I had a 300 mile journey in the car and it was normal- beeps no warnings. Please can someone tell me what does all mean? I trying to learn fast. I am ready to do anything myslef relating to EPBs on my Passat.

[Gazwould]

Have you heard about the 77mm oil pump drives yet ?

Much more serious than those stupid calipers .

[Josana]

Thanks Gazwould, I will try to read what they are all about them 77mm oil pump drives. Should I worry?(that's me being very naive).

What is all this talk about parts (EPB motors being unavailable in the UK VW spares outlets? Does any one know if the situation has improved of late?

[RichardSEL]

With a '06MY 2.0L TDi, yes you should worry about oil pump failure. Get it updated. Or face the inevitable consequences of engine failure.

You can still get EPB motors alone direct from VW dealer spares. But better prices can be got (and a simpler job) by just changing over the whole caliper for new that comes with EPB motor already attached. Do not run for any length of time with the EPB fault as that can damage the EPB control module which wasn't originally designed for continual fault conditions (there's a dealer available flash update to cover this)
You will need VCDS to operate the EPB to open, close after install, and perform brakes' Basic Settings

Get a copy of my help .docs for both TDi Oil Pump Failure and EPB. PM me an email address for return attach reminding me what it's for