Handbrake locked on - frozen?

**oxtailsoup** · 06-01-2010,08:43 PM

Hi. My handbrake won't release. The dashboard handbrake button is flashing orange and there is a brake warning light on the dash display.

Tried putting the car into reverse and seeing if I could release the brakes that way. Three wheels are moving but rear drivers side wheel is not turning at all.

Minus 2 degrees here and a lot less than that last night.

Anything else I can try? Would getting a hairdrier to heat up the rear calipers help in anyway or spraying boiling water in there?

No sign of warmer weather on its way so need to try and find a fix.

Thanks

**oxtailsoup** · 06-01-2010,08:55 PM

Just a bit more detail. Even though the parking brake button is flashing orange I can still hear what sounds like the caliper motor moving for about one second.

Does the handbrake lock the caliper on both rear wheels or just one?

**rapport25** · 06-01-2010,09:03 PM

I would imagine both. Not that I have my passat yet though.

I would suggest jacking car up and removing wheel and see what the car is doing.

Or use your breakdown cover if you have it. And let them sort it. Good luck hope you get it sorted. Something for me to look out for when I get mine.

Rappy.

**rapport25** · 06-01-2010,09:06 PM

I would stay clear of hairdryer. Boiling water sounds a good idea.

I would imagine the passat has rear discs with smaller drums for the handbrake you could try hitting the drum to see if it frees it up.

Or call your breakdown cover.

Rappy.

**martin1810** · 06-01-2010,09:54 PM

Do not do anything to the wheels. You have one caliper motor per rear wheel. If you can hear a motor, is it one or both. If one is not unwinding, the brake will stay on and the dash light will flash. This means the car has a fault and can't be moved. It is usually a faulty dash switch. If both motors are rewinding, the car will move even with frozen rear brakes. One trick you can try is disconnecting the battery for ten minutes. That does sometimes work.

**Quatrelle** · 06-01-2010,09:55 PM

The handbrake works on both rear discs - no drums

The callipers may well be working but obviously won't pull the pads off if they are frozen on.

Someone else on here had the same problem a few weeks back - might be worth doing a search.

Leave it in gear, handbrake off when it's freezing.

Follow Martin's advice - better than a search

**oxtailsoup** · 06-01-2010,10:34 PM

Originally Posted by martin1810

Do not do anything to the wheels. You have one caliper motor per rear wheel. If you can hear a motor, is it one or both. If one is not unwinding, the brake will stay on and the dash light will flash. This means the car has a fault and can't be moved. It is usually a faulty dash switch. If both motors are rewinding, the car will move even with frozen rear brakes. One trick you can try is disconnecting the battery for ten minutes. That does sometimes work.

The car will move if given enough gas - however the rear drivers side wheel is not rotating according to my neighbour. At that point I stopped in case I caused any damage.

**rapport25** · 06-01-2010,11:00 PM

Pleased the passat does not have drum brakes for the handbrake crap design on my pug.

Martin's sounds a good tip disconnect the battery.

**oxtailsoup** · 07-01-2010,12:01 AM

Thanks. Got a plan of action tomorrow.

Firstly try disconnecting the battery. This is something I have been meaning to do for a while anyway to see if it resolves the passenger door handle issue (won't open from outside).

Then if no luck I'm going to remove the rear wheel and see what position the caliper/piston etc is in and see what movement there is. Will dig out my piston rewind tool in readiness.

I'll report back tomorrow!

**dunkley201** · 07-01-2010,12:40 AM

Originally Posted by oxtailsoup

Will dig out my piston rewind tool in readiness.

Whatever you do, do not try to rewind any piston. The motors can only be powered in using battery and VAG COM/VCDS software. Martin or Crasher will, I am sure, confirm this.