Electric handbrake staying on intermittently

[greg111]

Hi, my first post.

Have a 2007 passat 140 tdi just outside of vw warranty, have been experiencing an intermittent parking brake fault whereby the brake will not release until engine is cut and re-started.

I was recommended to a garage with all the diagnostic tools required, they told me it could be a rear caliper or a park brake control unit after carrying out the diagnostic checks.

They have now replaced both at the cost of nearly £1000 and the problem is still there.

Any ideas please?

[billcoleman]

I am not sure if it is related, but for a while I was finding that the handbrake was intermitently not releasing when pulling away (ususally at a difficult junction or traffic lights). After a bit of experimenting I found that sometimes I was not quite putting my clutch all the way to the floor which was causing the problem.

I am not saying that this is your problem, but there may be some issue with the sensor in the clutch release - maybe it needs adjusting or replacing (although I do not know where it is located).

[greg111]

thanks for reply, the clutch on mine does not have to be touched only the foot brake

[martin1810]

The on/off button is a known fault area. Change the button. Costs £23 from VW and takes about 10 minutes to change. Just pop off fuse cover, push out switch, pull of connector, replace new switch on connector, insert switch. Job done. It's insane to change caliper motors when it is simple to check if they are working or not.

[greg111]

think i will get the switch changed as you say, there are fault codes on the 'caliper' invoice that i am told all point to the fact it was faulty and when that didn't cure it and they replaced the park brake control unit i was told it could have been damaged by the faulty caliper.....

[martin1810]

Let's hope it's the switch then

[Quatrelle]

£1000 to not repair it? You'll be going back there again then.....

[rapport25]

£1000 to not repair it? You'll be going back there again then.....

[mhurer]

Just proves that people are too reliant on fault codes! Fault codes gone, but problems still persist!

I agree, start with the basics - for a small cost change the brake switch as there are known problems with this. Also the indie may not be able to tell you if a software update is needed. Dealer identified need for a new brake switch plus two software updates, although my problem was different to yours.

Good luck!