Electronic Handbrake Activation.

[DocL]

I've had a B6 Passat Estate for ~3 weeks and in that time the Electonic Handbrake ('P' button on the right) has failed to release automatically ~20% of the time.

I'm prepared to believe that I sometimes 'set' it incorrectly, but I can't fathom the precise correct procedure so that it always releases automatically 100% of the time; even after asking a VW dealer again!!

Can someone please provide the correct sequence of clutch depressions and footbrake depression so that after the 'P' button is pressed it will then go off automatically when setting off??

[iaint]

I didn't think you could set it incorrectly. No matter what I do when I put mine on it always releases 100% of the time.

The only reason it shouldn't release automatically is if either the door is open or you haven't put your seat belt on. Other than that it should always release.

The sensor is on the clutch and as you raise the pedal it should disengage the brake if both of the above conditons have been met.

You may have a fault.

Cheers
Iain

[carl s]

Mine won't release if I try to move away just before I put my seatbelt on. This does get a bit confusing, but the MFD does flash up to tell me "please remove handbrake manually"

Just a case of being more regimented I guess.

[DocL]

OK folks, I've probably got it up to 90% working now, but I'm still not convinced that I set it 'correctly' every time.

Here's what I try to do, say coming up to a stop light etc.;
1) declutch and press footbrake to come to a halt.
2) foot still on footbrake, gear into neutral and
3) press 'P' button after clutch pedal 'up', and foot off footbrake when 'P' is lit.

Now sometimes I may press the 'P' button whilst still declutched and moving the gear shift to neutral. But I've not found that this makes a difference when done on purpose. However something is, because on occasion it does not release automatically when setting off!!

[iaint]

I see you have a manual gearbox. I say this because the sensor to tell the brake to release is connected to the clutch, I've no idea where it is on an automatic but would assume it to be linked to the accelerator pedal.

I have sat on my drive with the handbrake on and slowly raised the clutch without touching the accelerator. At a certain height the brake releases as the clutch travel passes the sensor and I roll down the drive. I may be worth trying this to see how high or low on your clutch travel the sensor is.

I have read on this forum but I can't remember on which thread (maybe someone with a better memory can point us to it) that on some cars the position of this sensor is nearer to the floor than is required to get the car in gear. Therefore when rushing to put the car in gear and set off you can slip it into first without 'setting' the sensor and when you raise the clutch, the sensor sees no movement and doesn't release the handbrake.

I can't say I've ever experienced this however, and I don't know if getting a dealer to alter the position of the sensor would cure the fault. I believe it is positioned in such a way that as you clutch wears and your bite point moves then the sensor won't need moving again. I seem to remember that making a conscious effort to always push the clutch to the floor helped.

Good luck
Iain

[Dave Elcome]

Doc.

One of the things I have noticed with mine that is especially different to my old Peugeot, is that the clutch pedal has a 'long action' for want of a better description, 12k and 10 months on I'm still grinding the odd gear as a result, this IMHO tends to highlight what Iain has said above.

[DocL]

Thanks Ian and Dave, I think you may be onto somthing with this clutch depression.

Being a bit of a short-shanks I may well not completely depress the clutch to the floor, just sufficient to make sure the clutch is disengaged which is actually quite a bit up from the 'floor'. So your explanations sound very credible.

I'll do some tests when this tummy bug I've got has gone away!! Dave'll know!!

Thanks guys.

[CathG]

Well thanks Guys- I've been reading all your posts - and that on the other forum - and think I've cracked it!

I've been going wrong straight away by starting the engine before putting the seat belt on.

So now - get in, seat belt on, clutch down, start engine. Into first/reverse and off I go!

Because of this success - not just starting off, but at traffic lights etc - I have experimented with the 'autohold' and it's brilliant - might leave it on all the time!

It's taken me six months to get this far.....I've actually been avoiding hills and traffic lights (takes me back to when I was first learning to drive - I'd go the long way round to avoid a difficult right hand turn!) - No comments about women drivers please.......

Once again thanks, these forums are an excellent way of sharing knowledge.

[shooey88]

sometimes it can be driver error....there is cases that if you apply accellerator before the clutch is activated it will not release the handbrake automatically....
so release clutch with no revs till handbrake off then apply revs

[iaint]

sometimes it can be driver error....there is cases that if you apply accellerator before the clutch is activated it will not release the handbrake automatically....
so release clutch with no revs till handbrake off then apply revs

I have to disagree with you on this one Shooey. I have definitely applied revs before raising my clutch and I have never had any problem with my handbrake not releasing. It may be I'm lucky though and don't have a problematic car.

CathG
I agree totally that the auto hold is indeed brilliant. I can't believe on the manual Passats it's only an option, albeit a reasonably priced one.
I always leave mine on all the time and it totally transforms what could be a frustrating system, with the brake button next to the light switch, into something which I now feel is the best 'gadget' on any car I've ever owned.

Cheers
Iain