Auto Parking Break Failure

[Old Nick]

The auto parking break on my 2014 2.0 Ultra has gone intermittent - when not working the electronic handbrake light flashes and then I get a warning message when I start the car that there is an auto parking break failure, together with another message that the auto stop/start will not function as a result - always switch that off anyway so no problem there!

Is there a quick fix for the auto parking problem or is it a case of going back to my Audi dealer?

[Whippy53]

That, I'm afraid, is very much a dealer job. It is also news that I didn't want to hear as I had hoped faulty epb's had gone away. Hope it's a quick and easy fix for you. Let us know what it was will you?

[Old Nick]

I will do my best - If they find the fault!

[ukgroucho]

Get it back to your dealer. Auto handbrake issues which are intermittent can be notoriously hard to diagnose - if you can't get it to the dealer with the error 'active' then they may not be able to diagnose the fault. And you do want to get it sorted under warranty as it will be an MOT failure if it persists after 3 years (maybe not an issue for you but definitely for any future owner).

I had a similar type of thing on my C6 with the electronic handbrake - and even though it showed an error and the flashing light in the handbrake switch, the handbrake worked. But it was intermittent... happened for a few days then went away for weeks or months. Audi looked at it but we never managed to align the planets and get the car to them when the error was showing. After the second investigation they basically said "the only option now is to start swapping parts" - and as the car was out of warranty that was going to be potentially VERY spendy.

[Whippy53]

My old Passat, the thing failed with the epb locked on! That was hilarious I can tell you.

[Steve Hut]

Mine done the same thing a couple of weeks ago but then cleared itself when driving in heavy rain. Dealer looked at in when it was in for a service and couldn't find any faults. They blamed dirt on the sensors and that much electronics in the car. Might be worth giving the car a really good wash with a jet wash and see if this clears it?

Had the same issue with the Passat and cost nearly £380 if I remember rightly.

[janakson]

Exactly the same issue here on an MY13, I found that cycling the brakes repeatedly on and off seemed to clear it and hasn't been back since. At least that'll allow you to drive to the dealer safely.

Can you hear the parking brake engage?

[Aero97]

I've had this before - couple of threads on here about it.

What started out as an intermittent fault ended up with the brake caliper, ECU and electrical system being replaced before the fault was fixed. Don't think the dealer ever actually identified the cause.

Anyway, as your car is still under warranty get it in to the dealer to be fixed and don't let them fob you off!

[Old Nick]

Vehicle taken to Audi Bedford today and they have replaced the parking break control unit and all seems to be well but time will tell if it is the complete fix. The cost would have been nearly £600!
Thanks to all that replied