Handbrake Light Problem

[WATTIE]

Can anyone assist in helping myself with my handbrake problem.The light with the <P> is iluminated on dash along with the message to refer to handbook.The handbrake it self seams to operate okay,but it has occasionally stuck with the light flashing.I thought it may be the rear pads being knackered as the car has now reached 53k and still has original pads,there is no noise coming from rear brakes other than the calpiers gurning when you apply the handbrake.Is it best to remove rear wheels to have a look at pads or is there another concern?

[martin1810]

It's probably a software glitch. You could try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes. The dash will light up like a christmas tree when you restart, but the lights will reset after a few yards. If the P light comes on you will need a code read. The P light refusing to go out is not unknown on these cars.

[WATTIE]

If I disconnect battery will I lose any data,radio code etc.As I have had the car remapped will this have any effect or is this in the memory.

[martin1810]

No....nothing will be lost.

[terryt]

i had the same problem, took it to main dealer and they said it was software need updating, 30 quid, happened again the following day and i asked them to change the button, which they did and hasnt happened since, i have read on a few places that they are a common fault

[WATTIE]

Went to local garage,who had a replacement set of pads for myself to be fitted.He connect to a lcd diag machine,he carried out a brake test,then pad replacement.I could clearly see the screen read pad replacement and heard the motors retracting.It read then to carry out replacement to be carried out.He removed the l/h caliper,but the piston was not fully retracted.He then thought he may need to use the normal retracting tool to push piston back to allow pads to be fitted but was concerned so just refitted.The problem I have now is that I have a red light flashing along with the P light on and the button for handbrake flashing.I am using the car without hbrake at present.Can anyone help?Is it that the mechanic should of carried on turning the piston back to complete the task.I would be grateful of any assistance.

[martin1810]

Retract motors with VCDS or similar.
Push pistons back in with piston retractor.
Change pads
Reset motors with VCDS or similar.
Job done.
For more info look on my site.

[WATTIE]

Cheers Martin,
I take that the motor part for handbrake is then over a small area.So you retract pads as the diag machine says but the majority piston part has to be screwed back just like you did with the convential caliper for most rear calipers.Do you then clear brake codes.I am just concerned that you did not rewind piston back by hand.I am afraid he would do damage.Will this then clear my dash lights and allow handbrake to work.Cheers your some man.

[martin1810]

The park brake motors only wind the caliper piston forward to put brakes on. When the motor winds back it does not pull the piston back. The piston is not screwed back. You just push it back in. Once the piston is back in the pads can be changed and the caliper refitted.
Then you use VCDS to reset the pads. It is worth running through the on/off a couple of times after the rest. This should put all dash lights out but may not. Sometimes the light on the dash stays on even when everything is working correctly. You will have to wait and see.

[WATTIE]

Whats your view on my present circumstances with no h/brake and lights flashing.What do you recommend to do?

[martin1810]

I would take it into a dealer and get the pads changed by them. The dealer machine does the best job so if you have any ights on after that, you can investigate further. This is an expensive option but you risk a big bill if a local all make garage does somethin wrong.