New Passat - Parking brake system fault warning - Advice please

[jarnelljones]

On Saturday I collected a brand new Passat 140 TDi sport.
Before I had driven 5 miles i got a "Parking brake system fault warning" Amber light, in left hand dial and message to check manual.

The light re-set when I restarted the engine but came on again as I arrived home. I live about 40 miles from the garage and I called them about it just before the close of business. I was advised to call out VW assistance to check it was safe to drive it back to the garage.

VW assistance could not determine the fault but said it was safe to drive.

I returned to the garage and after half a day they announced a new switch had been fitted and that the problem was solved. They had completed two road tests. I noticed that 6 miles had been clocked up.

I then drove home but 12 miles into the journey fault back on.

This morning I drove back to the garage where the car remains. Fault came on at 2.5 miles and then at 6 miles and stayed on till I switched off at the garage.

6 days old 288 miles on the clock.

Worrying thing is that although the garage are bending over backwards to help, they are struggling to find the problem.

My preferred outcome is that they quickly identify a physical fault such as a switch and it's happy days.

I am wondering, however, where I stand if they cannot locate the fault. Does anybody have experience of a situation like this? If it was white goods for example I would be demanding a replacement not a repair.

[auiron]

Have a look at https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=833

The problem is also mentioned at the "Whatcar" website.

[jarnelljones]

Hi

Thank you for your post. My issues are not quite the same though, because physically the brake is working pefectly, just the intermittant warning light.

There is no problem applying or releasing the brake and it comes off automatically every time as required.

[jarnelljones]

In the end the VW dealership came up trumps.

A problem was located with Parking brake alarm control module -voltage reading high. Module changed out no more alarms. happy days

I think the Electronic Parking Brake is fantastic. I would hate to go back in time now.

[adamss24]

Did you heard the K.I.S.S. principle(Keep It Simple Stupid) ? The more complicated things are, the bigger the chance that they will break ! And what's wrong with the manual handbrake ? Remember the '80 bmw, vw/audi's and mercedes ? They were indestructible yet safe ! Why ? Because there were no bloody sensors and gadgets on board ! Nowadays one needs to be NASA trained to service a BMW 6/7 series or a Mercedes SLR ! You go to the dealers and they cannot figure out what the heck its wrong with a car even with all the workshop/dealers repair manuals and diagnostic equipment !!!! Enjoy your new motor and dont wonder when it breaks, the dealer will fix-it !?! Merry Christmas.

[jarnelljones]

You need to move on with time.

Thats why we are not all running about in a horse drawn stagecoach

[adamss24]

You need to move on with time.

Thats why we are not all running about in a horse drawn stagecoach

My dad had a Bmw 635 CSL(shark nose) that had electric ,heated leather seats, cruise control, air conditioning, electric windows and a servo assisted power steering+ brake and that was a 1985 model, simple to fix and as good to drive and safe as my current audi a4. He still misses it !Most engines on modern cars are still the same as when they were designed 50 years ago !

[VWfrust]

Did you ever get down to the bottom of this problem - mine sounds similar and the car has been back 9 times over the last 7 months to 3 different dealers. They changed the car for another Passat but this one's now got the same fault.