Passat electronic handbrake won't release

[GTB]

Any tips just to get it home please? Will disconnecting the battery help?

TIA

 

[Angus]

Any tips just to get it home please? Will disconnecting the battery help?

TIA

It's a bit late and hopefully your home but would it be possible to get underneath the car and release the cable mechanism? Just a temporary fix and heel and toe drive.

 

[GTB]

It's a bit late and hopefully your home but would it be possible to get underneath the car and release the cable mechanism? Just a temporary fix and heel and toe drive.

Thanks for the reply. We are home but the car is still in town. It will I expect need a new switch for the handbrake but need to get it moved ASAP. Hopefully it might work this morning with a bit of luck. Can't even tow it as it is now.

 

[GTB]

Btw I've looked on the VW Audi forums and there doesn't seem to be any tips on getting it to release. Bloody technology!

 

[Bob c]

frozen on ?
on my disco 3 there is a electronic handbrake and manual release cable as well

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Btw I've looked on the VW Audi forums and there doesn't seem to be any tips on getting it to release. Bloody technology!

From the VW forum. Give it a shot, otherwise it's probably a tow job.

I have used this method (once in the nine years of my ownership of this '06MY) and it does perform a "hard reset" of the EPB control module.
It may work for you:
Disconnec the battery for 10 minutes then reconnect again. (you will get steering wheel and traction control icons on your dash when you drive off but these will clear after a few hundred yards)
Press the footbrake for 35 seconds, then whilst continuing to press the footbrake, press in and hold the EPB button in for 10 seconds, start the car, (still holding in the button and foot on brake).
The car’s computer will restart and the problem might be (temporarily) fixed.

This is also a useful procedure to use after changing the EPB switch if faults don’t immediately clear.

 

[Bob c]

there is procedure on disco 3 like that ,......but the garage dont like customers knowing it

 

[wasted years]

Hvae you got recovery on your insurance?

 

[llamedos]

Goodness me, had a quick google for Passat EPB faults there are 1000s of folk with the same problem, or with the problem of them failing when parked on slight inclines.
Page after page of them & VW refusing to acknowledge there is a fault.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

It's a bit late and hopefully your home but would it be possible to get underneath the car and release the cable mechanism? Just a temporary fix and heel and toe drive.

I don't think they have handbrake cables do they? The motors are in the rear calipers I'm 99% sure, some one on here will know for sure.

Why o why can't VW build proper rear calipers with usable handbrake is beyond belief.

 

[itsalwaysme]

It will more than likely be the switch, it seems to be a common fault, had one recently it had logged about 5 fault codes the switch being one of them

 

[jthomsonagri]

I have a ford galaxy that has an electric handbrake and it plays up everytime it rains, if it's on it won't come off and vice versa if it's off you can't get it on. The only way to release it manually is crawl underneath and wind the calipers back! I have done a lot of research and it uses the same calipers as the vw and as already mentioned a rubbish system. The garage plugged the car in and reckoned it needed a new control unit, changed that at considerable cost only to have the same problem again next time it rained. It has been back to the garage a number of times and they are unable to sort it. I have now given up and check the weather before I go anywhere to see if I am able to use the handbrake or not.

 

[jthomsonagri]

I don't think they have handbrake cables do they? The motors are in the rear calipers I'm 99% sure, some one on here will know for sure.

Why o why can't VW build proper rear calipers with usable handbrake is beyond belief.

Yes the motors are in the calipers, not a good design!

 

[GTB]

No def not frozen. RAC on way. We tried disconnecting the battery etc etc but no joy. All it needs is a new switch I expect. Had similar probs after we bought it. Switch was replaced under warranty and its worked well since then... until last night that is.

Thanks all.

 

[GTB]

Not all bad mind. I'm sitting in the car on the prom in Aber with a coffee waiting for the RAC to arrive. Lots of really hot young ladies out jogging this morning and it looks a bit nippy out there.

 

[awkward]

My two cent worth .had guy with audi a6 work here last year and hand break didn't releases .so motor/ solitude stopped working disconnect it inside locked wheel and tap with hammer until it release .

 

[Bob c]

you been there all night ?
did you now the view will be going past

 

[cosmagedon]

I always thought you had to have a mechanical means of braking by law so if all else fails? I'm all for technology but these electric handbrakes are a nightmare.

 

[GTB]

Feck no. Left it here overnight and came back this morning in time for the jogging lol.

 

[Lincsman]

Had one as a courtesy car for 2 weeks its handbrake was random in operation to say the least, a rep calling at the time with one said thats standard for them!.... came to hate the thing in the end