Parking brake problems

[djah]

Thanks Martin.
Should I be worried about the control model?
VW UK say they cant help me as the 3 year warranty is invalid since I imported the car to Ireland.
It was originally purchased in the UK on the 19/11/2008,I bought it when it was 12 months old,just my luck.

[John-the-Bass]

The script says you have two errors.
2 Faults Found:
03200 - Switch for Electric Parking Brake (E538)
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit - Intermittent.
If you have not changed the switch it is probably worth doing that as it is relativley cheap and a known problem.
I do not know what the 012 intermittent electrical fault in circuit is. Wiring or brake actuator issue? Anyone else help?

[martin1810]

Thanks Martin.
Should I be worried about the control model?
VW UK say they cant help me as the 3 year warranty is invalid since I imported the car to Ireland.
It was originally purchased in the UK on the 19/11/2008,I bought it when it was 12 months old,just my luck.

Control modules are fairly reliable. I would just change the switch and see how it goes. These faults are a pain because the ECU is basically picking up "run time" errors. They can be due to the switch or the EPB motors. You would expect a different code if the epb motors were the cause, so with luck it is just the switch.

[djah]

Thanks again guys.
Wil change the switch and see how that works out.

[djah]

I am back again.
I have just been to my local vw parts dept. who have said they will sell me the switch no problem
However the guy behind the counter,who seemed genuine,couldnt guarantee how long it would last as there was a software upgrade required when a new switch is fitted.
Has anyone had any experience of this?
Thanks.

[fat controller]

I changed my switch over a year ago - did it myself, no software upgrade, and no problems since.

[vstevenson]

Me too, changed the switch a year or so back, popped the old one out and the new one in while still in the dealers car park. Happened to have my laptop with me so scanned the car before leaving to clear the fault codes and to satisfy myself I had cured the problem. I did not need to "tell" the car it had a new switch that I recall. Certainly no software upgrade was required and switch still working fine. I now have a new problem though, parking brake fault message on the dash and VCDS tells me I have "resistance to movement" on the left side . Will have time next week to get the wheels off and have a look, I suspect a stripdown is imminent not looking forward to it.