Parking Brake Failure

[philipharmes]

Left my 2008 CR Passat Estate at Stanstead Airport for a week.


Because of my distrust of the electric handbrake, I just left the car in gear with the handbrake off as it was a perfectly level car park.


When I returned 1 week later & started the car the display immediately flashed up "handbrake failure".
Thought it must have just thrown a wobbly & would correct itself after a couple of starts, but no.


The handbrake still works fine off the button although the Auto Hold function obviously is inoperative & I get the "handbrake failure" message everytime I start the car.


I eventually bit the bullet & got the codes read with VCDS which came back with 02845.


After some research on here & Google it points to a software fault which I guess explains why the handbrake button & handbrake itself still works, even though the car thinks it's in-operative. Very frustrating.


I found one previous thread on here
Please Help Passat park brake ecu change Lateral acceleration fault(G200) basic settings

from Mthom139 who had the identical problem but didn't post how he got it resolved. I tried to message him but had no response.


Ross-Tech mentions to follow TPI 2021874 but finding this TSB seems, as another sufferer has found, is like looking for the holy grail.


So i'm still really non the wiser as to how i'm going to get this fixed.


Should I just get a secondhand J540 Parking Brake Module ( lots on eBay although different suffix letters ) then get someone with VCDS to adapt it to the car.


Or take it to a VW dealer (i've never ever used a main dealer for anything as I generally do my own maintenance & am loath to for this) & hope the technician who gets the job knows his stuff & just downloads some new software, job done.
Maybee 1 hours labour if i'm very lucky.


Of course if the guy has no idea about the fault it will probably be a new J540 etc etc & a massive bill.


Would an Independant or Diagnostic guy have access to the software to correct this?


I've no idea what the TPI 2021874 involves anyway, AAAARRRGH.


Any pointers would be really appreciated.

[RichardSEL]

Get a copy of my EPB help .doc.

J540 is the EPB control module which is capable of being FlashROM updated to a new software level. One hour at workshop which has VAS fitted -- the dealer's diagnostic tool that gets the flash file from the VW mothership in Germany. This cannot be done in VCDS, but post your Autoscan here so we can all see what's being reported.

If the handbrake button and handbrake itself still works then check full operation with a Basic Settings. Or a retract and reset two or three times

Coz VWUK (backed by VOSA) won't tell what's in ROW TPIs we have to rely on US-available equivalents which are available -- available under different numbers natch. TPI 2021874 is I believe TSB 2015075. Had the flash done as above.

PM me an email address for both and will return attach

[philipharmes]

Thanks very much for the info Richard.

I've sent you a PM.

I'll get a copy of the scan & post it on here.

[philipharmes]

San results as below :-

Chassis Type: 3C0
Scan: 01 03 08 09 15 16 17 19 25 42 44 46 52 53 56 62 72


VIN: WVWZZZ3CZ9E054143 Mileage: 284150km/176562miles


01-Engine -- Status: OK 0000
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: OK 0000
04-Steering Angle -- Status: OK 0000
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: OK 0000
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: OK 0000
15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000
16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000
17-Instruments -- Status: OK 0000
19-CAN Gateway -- Status: OK 0000
25-Immobilizer -- Status: Malfunction 0010
42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000
44-Steering Assist -- Status: OK 0000
46-Central Conv. -- Status: OK 0000
52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: OK 0000
53-Parking Brake -- Status: Malfunction 0010
56-Radio -- Status: OK 0000
62-Door, Rear Left -- Status: OK 0000
72-Door, Rear Right -- Status: OK 0000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine (CBA) Labels: 03L-906-022-CBA.clb
Part No SW: 03L 906 022 BL HW: 03L 907 309
Component: R4 2,0L EDC G000SG 3570
Revision: 13H01--- Serial number: VWZCZ000000000
Coding: 0000072
Shop #: WSC 00014 210 90439
VCID: 70EBD4F31A33


No fault code found.
Readiness: 0 0 0 0 0


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 3C0-614-109-C4.lbl
Part No SW: 3C0 614 109 P HW: 3C0 614 109 P
Component: J104 C4 440 V2 0011
Revision: --025--- Serial number: 00000786065485
Coding: 0001298
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 2B51039FF395


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 1K0-820-047.lbl
Part No SW: 1K0 820 047 HN HW: 1K0 820 047 HN
Component: Climatic PQ35 142 1111
Revision: 00142031 Serial number: 00000000000000
Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
VCID: 77F9EFEF7F5D


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 09: Cent. Elect. Labels: 3C0-937-049-30-M.lbl
Part No SW: 3C8 937 049 D HW: 3C8 937 049 D
Component: Bordnetz-SG H54 2602
Revision: 00H54000 Serial number: 00000008434659
Coding: 00888F0700041A00470A00000F000000000859435C00010000 0000000000
Shop #: WSC 05124 000 00000
VCID: 326F1EFBD4BF


Part No: 3C2 955 119 B
Component: Wischer 040708 022 0601
Coding: 00046997
Shop #: WSC 05124


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags Labels: 5N0-959-655.lbl
Part No SW: 5N0 959 655 A HW: 5N0 959 655 A
Component: J234__006 VW10 HI 1815
Revision: 19013000 Serial number: 0039DPHGZ6D8
Coding: 0012342
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 3B7133DF03F5


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel Labels: 3C0-953-549-SW20.lbl
Part No SW: 3C0 953 549 AE HW: 3C0 953 549 AE
Component: J0527 0020
Revision: 00026000 Serial number: 3C9953507AT
Coding: 0000112
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 6FE9D78F070D


Part No: XXXXXXXXXXX
Component: E0221 002 0010


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments Labels: 3C0-920-xxx-17.lbl
Part No SW: 3C0 920 971 E HW: 3C0 920 971 E
Component: KOMBIINSTRUMENT VD1 2416
Revision: V0002000 Serial number: 00000000000000
Coding: 0007405
Shop #: WSC 00118 210 104513
VCID: 2759FFAFEF7D


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway Labels: 3C0-907-530.lbl
Part No SW: 3C0 907 530 H HW: 3C0 907 951
Component: J533__Gateway H13 0142
Revision: H13 Serial number: 2600P088250223
Coding: F9807F060002022003
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 2647F2ABE877


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 25: Immobilizer Labels: 3C0-959-433-25.clb
Part No SW: 3C0 959 433 R HW: 3C0 959 433 R
Component: IMMO 042 0383
Revision: 00042000 Serial number: VWZCZ000000000
Shop #: WSC 131071 1023 2097151
VCID: 397D29D709C9


Part No: 3C0 905 861 G
Component: ELV 027 0380
3C0905861G ELV 027 0380


1 Fault Found:
02823 - Requirements for Locking the Steering Column Lock not met
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 5
Reset counter: 189
Mileage: 280465 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2015.02.16
Time: 11:36:08




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 42: Door Elect, Driver Labels: 1K0-959-701-MIN3.lbl
Part No SW: 1K0 959 701 AC HW: 1K0 959 793 N
Component: J386 TUER-SG FT 1518
Revision: 72009005 Serial number: 00000518188802
Coding: 0000693
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 6FE9D78F070D


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 44: Steering Assist Labels: 1Kx-909-14x-44.clb
Part No: 1K0 909 144 C
Component: EPS_ZFLS Kl. 195 2301
Revision: 00H15000
Shop #: WSC 02069 000 90108
VCID: 2A5F069BFC6F


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv. Labels: 3C0-959-433-46.clb
Part No SW: 3C0 959 433 R HW: 3C0 959 433 R
Component: KSG PQ46 ELV 042 0472
Revision: 00042000 Serial number: VWZCZ000000000
Coding: 0191020051030E763004941570085FCE107C01
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 397D29D709C9


Part No: 1K0 951 605 D
Component: LIN BACKUP HORN H08 9001


Part No: 3C0 951 171 C
Component: Neigungssensor 004 0611


Part No: 3C0 951 171 C
Component: Innenraumueberw.004 0611


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 52: Door Elect, Pass. Labels: 1K0-959-702-MIN3.lbl
Part No SW: 1K0 959 702 AC HW: 1K0 959 792 N
Component: J387 TUER-SG BT 1518
Revision: 72009005 Serial number: 00000511188714
Coding: 0000692
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 70EBD4F31A33


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 53: Parking Brake Labels: 5N0-907-801.lbl
Part No SW: 3C8 907 801 A HW: 3C8 907 801 A
Component: J540 EPB3 VW-10498 0003
Revision: 009 Serial number: 00000000118143
Coding: 0000057
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 285BFC93E263


1 Fault Found:
02845 - Function Display in Instrument Cluster (!)
007 - Short to Ground - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11110111
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 95
Mileage: 280411 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2015.02.13
Time: 15:33:54


Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 11.90 V
Count: 78
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Hex Value: 0x1260
Hex Value: 0x0001
Hex Value: 0x0101




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio (J503) Labels: 5M0-035-1xx-56.clb
Part No SW: 1K0 035 186 AA HW: 1K0 035 186 AA
Component: Radio RCD310 012 0029
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: VWZ1Z2H5755199
Coding: 0500040004
Shop #: WSC 05314 000 00000
VCID: 65C5B5A7D5F1


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 62: Door, Rear Left Labels: 1K0-959-703-GEN3.lbl
Part No SW: 1K0 959 703 AB HW: 1K0 959 795 L
Component: J388 TUER-SG HL 0307
Revision: 41004101 Serial number: 00000000578078
Coding: 0000144
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 70EBD4F31A33


No fault code found.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 72: Door, Rear Right Labels: 1K0-959-704-GEN3.lbl
Part No SW: 1K0 959 704 AB HW: 1K0 959 794 L
Component: J389 TUER-SG HR 0307
Revision: 41004101 Serial number: 00000000569327
Coding: 0000144
Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000
VCID: 71EDD1F71139


No fault code found.


End ---------------------------------------------------------------------

[RichardSEL]

These two faults listed happened over 4,000km ago so may be historic only, and transient. Go into both modules and clear the faults. Then see what comes back in a few days with another Autoscan?
I wouldn't go as far as getting a new module or doing anything else until you're sure that there is a real fault...

[philipharmes]

There are 2 problems showing up in the scan.
The immobilizer Address 25, shows an intermittent fault which I think is to do with the electric steering lock, I think it was deleted when scanned.
Occasionally it sounds sluggish to operate & I have sometimes had to jiggle the steering wheel to help it operate, but that isn't really a problem & is very intermittent.

The fault code 02845 in Address 53 is on solid & was unable to be cleared.
I'm not that bothered about the autohold function not working but think it may not pass an MOT later in the year.
Although the parking brake functions fully off the button, the parking brake fault symbol is permanently on.
Not sure if this will result in an automatic MOT failure.

Googling fault code 02485 points me to a software error in the Parking Brake Controller J540.
So thought that if I can get a working replacement it should clear the fault after being adapted to the car.
Am I on the right track?

[DMitch16]

From personal experience a wiring fault can cause you to be led in completely the wrong direction. Case in point a short in my DPF / Turbo loom that the ECU said was a failed Crankshaft Position Sensor and a failed door module when in fact it was a small loom melted onto the turbo heat shield causing a short! VCDS only reads what your ECU thinks is wrong and short circuits can confuse an ECU. Imho current modules in a working car do not suddenly require a software update unless components have been replaced with updated parts. There is a real possibility that you have a wiring fault in the dash and this code has led to a number of owners finding a bad wire somewhere after exactly the same scenario. The fact that there is continued functionality with the EPB suggests there may not be anything wrong with the brake modules.

Hth.

[RichardSEL]

Eliminate the possibility of
02845 - Ross-Tech Wiki

Have been to cars which have been modified by cheeep Chinese fakes of VCDS that have put hi-ascii characters into a coding string. They're not displayed but are there if you do a hex dump. Re-entering the coding string seems to take care of that. So go into your coding string and clear it. Then enter each digit as is from your module (53) coding string. If you get "Accepted" then save and exit. Switch off IGN, exit and lock car. Return in a few mins to allow car to enter sleep mode. Re-scan and see whether fault clears and stays cleared this time

I see from some of the WorkShop Codes that someone has already had a go a re-coding some of your modules

[philipharmes]

The 02845 Ross-Tech Wiki points me to " RoW (Rest of World) vehicles would refer to TPI 2021874".

You kindly sent me a US TPI2015075 which refers to the parking brake controller software vulnerability to low voltages.
It lists the part No which is completely different to mine .
So without access to the correct TPI it seems to be the end of the road.

"I see from some of the WorkShop Codes that someone has already had a go a re-coding some of your modules "
I've owned the car since it was just over 3 yrs old.
Up to now it has been 100% trouble free & as I do my own maintenance it has just had oil/ filters & tyres.
Not had any modifications carried out whatsoever, although do not know what has been done prior to my ownership.
But as it was a lease car, all its maintenance had been done by VW, as far as I know.
So don't really understand how/ why modules would have been re-coded.

You mention " Chinese fakes of VCDS that have put hi-ascii characters into a coding string" , but wouldn't that have shown up immediately afterwards, my problem only occured after being parked for 1 week.



" So go into your coding string and clear it. Then enter each digit as is from your module (53) coding string."
Thanks for the tip Richard, but that is way over my head.
I'm thinking by the time i've paid for someone to do that, which may or may not be successfull, I might be better off just taking it to VW.

Regarding the possibility of a wiring fault.
The code is 02845 -
02845 - Function Display in Instrument Cluster (!): Short to Ground

But the display is functioning perfectly.
So is everything else including the parking brake ( except autohold ).

[RichardSEL]

It's only when someone bothered to explain some stuff to me that some lightbulbs turned on

If you see Shop #: WSC 05311 000 00000 then it's been done by VCDS not a VAS shop which would have its own registered WorkShop Code. Like in the WSC for your engine
Nothing wrong with using that code, and for some modules VCDS does suggest others as some modules won't take that WSC so a coding change request is rejected.

For the Row TPI you can ask a dealer whether your module (show them your VCDS Autoscan) qualifies. If yes, then a Flash could cure. Not saying it will. Just I had it done (a two stage process) on my '06MY coz I qualified for it under the n. American TPI which presumably is this RoW TPI we can't get ahold of. And Ross-Tech, with all their years of experience, puts it in their Wiki

The Coding: 0000057 entry in Module (53) determines what that module does, and what braking facilities are switched on. If you go to the 5 you'll see a menu beneath it that says what features that 5 represents. Same with the 7. If you enter all zeroes instead, no features will be switched on. Now go back and enter the 0000057 and you should have coded that module without any extraneous characters (which can't usually be seen) entering the coding string. Save it. Exit.

You could also try switching on IGN only. Leaving it on then disconnecting the battery negative. Return 10 mins later and re-connect the battery negative tightening the terminal. Realise this is a bit of an odd procedure but since spurious characters in a module may not be called back from a module's memory, then they can get cleared that way. (Steering and ESP icons will come on when you re-start but will go out within a few yards' driving)

All these are processes of elimination before you invest in a VAS flash, even a new module itself, or paid for professional help

Best I can do at this distance
Keep us up to date?