Handbrake fault on cold mornings

[Beelzeboss]

Hi everyone.

I've got an 06 plate 1.9s TDi and its been really cold (about -2) where I live and my electronic handbrake wont release as if it is frozen. Up comes the fault light and refer to manual message.

Took a few jugs of piping hot water splashed through the alloys for it to eventually release.

I've only had the car for 5 months and this is the first problem Ive had has anyone else experienced this and is it common.

Cheers

BB

[Quatrelle]

If it was wet when you parked up it's quite possible that it would freeze on - it could happen to most cars. If it's not on too much of a slope, just leave it in first.

[martin1810]

Are you sure the brake is on. Listen for the motors rewinding. If they rewind the brake is off. The car may stil seem stuck if the pads are frozen to the disc. If that's the case you should be ok driving off. Just make sure you have heard the motors rewind. The motors rewinding doesn't actually take the pads off the disc. You driving off does that.

[gamichea]

If it was wet when you parked up it's quite possible that it would freeze on - it could happen to most cars. If it's not on too much of a slope, just leave it in first.

Or reverse, depending which way its facing!

[Quatrelle]

gamichea - Point taken - I do wonder though, what difference it would make...?

Without checking, doesn't the handbook say first?

I wonder also, what gradient it would take to overcome the engine's compression (in the correct gear)?

[Beelzeboss]

The handbrake was definetly on when I pulled up. I do that automatically.

It was the next morning when I went to pull away there was no motor noise and the handbrake wouldn't release as if it were frozen.

Since then its been milder and I've not had it again but I'm troubleshooting for future reference as it'll be sub zero again later this week.

BB

[dunkley201]

I must admit, I do not fully trust the reliability of this parking brake, so I rarely use it overnight for fear of it jamming on. I just use it for short-term parking. As with previous autos I have had (and everyone in the 'States!) I leave it in "Park". ;)

[gamichea]

gamichea - Point taken - I do wonder though, what difference it would make...?

Without checking, doesn't the handbook say first?

I wonder also, what gradient it would take to overcome the engine's compression (in the correct gear)?

Quatrelle - no idea if it makes a real difference just gives me that little extra bit of confidence.

Not looked in the handbook - its just my habit over more years than I care to remember. OK, OK, before someone reminds, I know not all habits are good habits ;).

Fair point about gradients. Diesel compression ratios have reduced significantly in recent years but not to the point where its likely to make a difference. Wonder if first/reverse harks back to days when low compression petrol engines were universal and even then didn't some have a device for reducing compression to aid hand cranking?

[martin1810]

I wonder if you have a temperature related electrical fault. I doubt it is the caliper motors freezing as a simple motor shouldn't stop working in the cold. You could get the switch changed and see if that helps. I suppose you could be unlucky and have two faulty caliper motors. Let's hope not. Good luck.

[Quatrelle]

Gamichea - Yes, I've always left a car in gear. Unless it's been a steep slope I've always used third, a throwback from the days of the early Minis with their unbraced transverse engine and direct hockey-stick gear lever. Leaving it in first weakened the detente springs so much that if you pulled away fiercely the gear lever would be thrown back into neutral :(

[2003amir]

in answer to orginal post- yes had similar experience, and seems to be more common than not
posted last year- http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=54735

best not to use handbrake if possible/safe in freezing conditions

[Stuart W]

Had my first ever "Parking brake fault" warning last night. It wouldn't release, so I killed the engine, restarted the car and it worked OK, but thereafter I kept on getting the message everytime I started the car, but I thought it would be a good idea to avoid using the brake until I got back home again.

When I did eventually press the button again the warning disappeared and it's been fine since, touchwood.

Don't know if the car sitting for a couple of days had anything to do with it, since I normally use it everyday.

It certainly wasn't cold by recent standards - about 5 degrees.

Don't know what warning message is all about - it says look in owner's manual, which just says to go to a qualified dealership.

So since some of the warning messages just instruct you to go to the workshop, what's the point of asking you to refer to the manual - same result!!

[turbo2turbo]

just a thought, try releasing manualy on the next sub zero morning, eg, depress brake pedal and press button to release, instead of the usual just drive off method

[Quatrelle]

I expect you've seen on here already that the switch can be faulty.

If it happens again, you could always try the old favourite - disconnect and reconnect the battery.

[Stuart W]

I tried both using the switch/footbreak combination and the drive off option, and neither would work - I assume if the one of the switch mechanisms was faulty then that wouldn't prevent the other one working?

Anyway, killing the ignition and starting it again seemed to do the trick, and the warning light disappeared the next time I applie the brake.

And I've got my adjustable spanner in the boot, should Quartelle's 'fix all' fallback prove necessary :D