Question: Parking Brake Auto Release/Hill Hold assist doesn't work in 1st Gear

[Pat Cronin]

Greetings all.

Firstly, been watching from the sidelines for a while, and have learned from the many knowledgable posts here. So thanks to all participants.

On to my issue: Ive had my 2011 A6 C7 2.0 TDI SE since August 2014. very happy with it overall. Car was booked in for Audi service, and was pointed out to me that the auto release for the parking brake/hill hold assist wasn't working in 1st gear. I will freely admit I hadn't noticed, as I had a: never had it before, and b: just manually released using the button.

Sure enough, on testing it - works just fine in reverse, and if I try to take of in 2nd gear - works like a charm.

Audi, in their charming way, are quoting a minimum of 4 hours about just to look at the bloody thing, with no guarantee of a fix - which will be extra!

I can live without it, but will niggle at me now that I know its broken. On the other hand - i can't comfortably commit to an open ended spend by Audi Service.

Any of you experienced this issue?

[Guest 2]

i'd be getting someone or a local audi/vw specialist to check the car over for any faults at a much lower rate than the main dealer, you can then decide on their findings on what to do next.

give it a couple of days and see if this affects anyone else on the forum too.

[Pat Cronin]

That's good advice Chris, and thank you.

Would still be very interested in others experience of this, if any. My instinct tells me this is just a sensor for 1st gear, not being picked up by the Auto release etc


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[A6S]

I had a similar problem with my pre fl manual, it was Intermittent though . at times I'm at a junction and try to pull away and the handbrake doesnt release. Complained about it at the dealers and they kept coming back saying nothing was wrong.
This could be many things. My mate is a vag specialist and he said keep getting back at them as its under warranty.
I believe there's a sensor to detect if the car is in neutral or in gear. Don't think it can tell which gear you are in. Normally does this by revs and speeds. There's a sensor on the clutch pedal and also it could be something to do with the electronic handbrake system.
theres no errors so it makes it difficult to source.
Maybe someone good with vcds be able to pick up the channel/code that relates to the gear lever to see what happens with the difference in 1st and 2nd.

[Pat Cronin]

So finally got around to making progress with this. Local, non-VAG mechanic didn't want to touch it, so waited till Major Service was due. Audi Dealer asked for a minimum of two hours mechanics time to look, which I reluctantly agreed to. No error code on their VCDS equivalent. So they took "gear lever position sensor from a donor vehicle" ( their phrase) and all worked fine. Put the old one back in.... And that then worked too! Had it back now for a week, and continuing to work fine.... You live and learn.....


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[Holymoly]

In my experience franchise workshops are more technicians than mechanics. If the machine tells them to replace a unit that is what they do, rather than ask themselves why it isn't working and maybe saying hundreds by cleaning contacts instead.