Parking brake malfunction after rear brake pads?

[zatta]

So I got my brake pads done at a shop that usually does my alignments and now I have a parking brake malfunction code. It beeps consistently after every stop for about a minute even though the parking brake is not applied. Has anybody had this problem and know of a possible solution? Maybe something I can fix with VCDS?

[chawski]

Hopefully they unlocked your parking brake electronically and didn’t pry it off. Try doing an open/close cycle if you have access to vcds or an app

[djn876]

If they unplugged and removed it maybe they forgot to plug it back in.

[zatta]

Hopefully they unlocked your parking brake electronically and didn’t pry it off. Try doing an open/close cycle if you have access to vcds or an app

VCDS says it’s in “rear brake pad replacement mode” and it won’t let me change that so I’m lost on what to do


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[Novarider]

So they opened it to replace the pads but didn't close it again? Try this

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index...ng_Brake_EPB-4

[zatta]

So they opened it to replace the pads but didn't close it again? Try this

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index...ng_Brake_EPB-4

Have been trying it, says something along the lines of how perimeters are not met and it wont let me end the procedure.

[Novarider]

Have you tried to cycle it with the switch? Have you tried to open it with vcds then try to close again?

[choppstixxx]

Honestly I would go back to the shop and ask if they used a program like Vagcom to open/close the rear electronic parking brake when doing the change. Just guessing is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, if the EPB is indeed broken I would see if they can front the bill to replace them (they are pricey). Sucks this happened, but this is exactly why vehicles like this need to be taken to specialty Euro shops that know exactly what to do. It's not worth saving a few pennies to then have to fix stuff that should have never happened in the first place.

[zatta]

Have you tried to cycle it with the switch? Have you tried to open it with vcds then try to close again?

Yep. The parking brake switch is completely unresponsive it just flashes red consistently. I don’t really know what else to try with VCDS or what else I should even try in general.


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[zatta]

Honestly I would go back to the shop and ask if they used a program like Vagcom to open/close the rear electronic parking brake when doing the change. Just guessing is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, if the EPB is indeed broken I would see if they can front the bill to replace them (they are pricey). Sucks this happened, but this is exactly why vehicles like this need to be taken to specialty Euro shops that know exactly what to do. It's not worth saving a few pennies to then have to fix stuff that should have never happened in the first place.

Yep. Took it to the place that just does my alignments and tires instead of my usual euro guy and now I face the consequences... also they charged more and messed up my car than my normal shop which charges $67 for brake pads all around. Mistakes were made. Still looking for a possible diy solution before I take it anywhere.


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[choppstixxx]

Yep. Took it to the place that just does my alignments and tires instead of my usual euro guy and now I face the consequences... also they charged more and messed up my car than my normal shop which charges $67 for brake pads all around. Mistakes were made. Still looking for a possible diy solution before I take it anywhere.
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I just think with all the symptoms and things you've tried to do, it is a mechanical issue aka the EPB is busted. If you can't use the Emergency Brake switch or even make it do anything using Vagcom, I gotta believe it's the unit itself that is toast. I'd bet that the shop just muscled the caliper piston closed in turn damaging the EPB.

[zatta]

I just think with all the symptoms and things you've tried to do, it is a mechanical issue aka the EPB is busted. If you can't use the Emergency Brake switch or even make it do anything using Vagcom, I gotta believe it's the unit itself that is toast. I'd bet that the shop just muscled the caliper piston closed in turn damaging the EPB.

Yeah, is there anything else I could try? I mean it says its stuck in "rear pad replacement mode" and I am not able to "End lining mode" at all. Maybe try unplugging battery? Unplugging the EPB? I dont even know at this point. Just frustrating.

[choppstixxx]

Yeah, is there anything else I could try? I mean it says its stuck in "rear pad replacement mode" and I am not able to "End lining mode" at all. Maybe try unplugging battery? Unplugging the EPB? I dont even know at this point. Just frustrating.

Unplugging the battery won't reset anything, the issue is since it wasn't properly released then re-enabled and (I'm assuming) was physically forced open the motor won't operate no matter what. The only thing I can think of is to take apart the EPB motor. The plastic cover comes off and you will need a triple square bit (don't know the size) to manually close it. Then see if you can use Vagcom again to "End lining mode". If that doesn't work start looking for two new EPB' on eBay etc.

[zatta]

Unplugging the battery won't reset anything, the issue is since it wasn't properly released then re-enabled and (I'm assuming) was physically forced open the motor won't operate no matter what. The only thing I can think of is to take apart the EPB motor. The plastic cover comes off and you will need a triple square bit (don't know the size) to manually close it. Then see if you can use Vagcom again to "End lining mode". If that doesn't work start looking for two new EPB' on eBay etc.

Thanks for the tips, I will likely try this soon and see what I can do...

[Unleaded20T]

I had something similar happen to my 2011 A6, when installing lowering springs they jumped the cables in the motors to retract the piston.

If your shop didn't use Vagcom or any tool to retract the piston, they may have use a same or similar method. If that's the case you will need new motors.

[Turtleteeth]

Thanks for the tips, I will likely try this soon and see what I can do...

To save yourself any guesswork I’d call the shop “anonymously” and ask if they have access to a VAGCOM or similar for completing work on VWAG vehicles. If they say they don’t, you’ve confirmed the first assumption and second assumption in that they didn’t use a software to complete the job and they used an alternative method to retract the calipers.

Now, confirming how they did that can be trickier but IMO simply starts with asking them straight up how they did the job since you now know they didn’t have a VAGCOM/app to do it properly.

But my guess actually is that they didn’t use brute force and instead used a reverse polarity method with a power source that overloaded the EPB sensor. I’ve seen the method work with other cars without issue, but it’s definitely a gamble for the shops that do it for this exact circumstance.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, but good luck with tracking down what happened. FWIW the last thing you should do is eat it or try to DIY any solutions... just my .02¢


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[chawski]

The answer is simply “fix it”. They charged you for work and broke something in the process. It’s what they have insurance for. Hopefully they do the right thing.

[Turtleteeth]

The answer is simply “fix it”. They charged you for work and broke something in the process. It’s what they have insurance for. Hopefully they do the right thing.

Bingo.



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[choppstixxx]

Here is an explanation of the process I was talking about FYI:

[Turbodan]

I had a mobile mechanic change my rear pads and disks the other day because I was not familiar with the electronic brake procedure and very busy so had no time. I asked him on the phone if he uses the computer to retract the caliper and he said yes but when he did it he used a battery booster pack and then I got the parking brake malfunction, he said he would look at it again the next day. I drove about 20 miles that day and the parking brake reset itself on its own during that drive. I was reading about damaging the parking brake control unit and having the check the wiring etc. I hope this helps someone in the same boat.