Hi, i just went to check on the car as its been sitting outside for a month (travesty I know!). However on start up I got a warning flash up 'parking brake failure, see dealer'. I tried to set off and indeed the brakes were jammed on tight and car wouldn't budge. I tried the EPB lever several times and the Park Off button to no avail. Eventually as I was about to give up I gave it one more try and it now seems to disengage. I'm worried this will happen again tomorrow before I need to make a long journey. Also wondering if this will cause any damage to the pads if it doesn't properly disengage without me knowing whilst driving. Is there a way to avoid this occurring? I remember reading about this happening to someone else on the forum just recently.
Parking brake failure - common problem?
- Thread starter Sham83
- Start date
I read somewhere else this could be due to the battery voltage being low so not enough power to the electrics, which would make sense given it hasn't been driven in a while - I was worried it might be a mechanical failure. Anyone else had a similar issue? Also, not sure how I can drive to a dealer if the bloody parking brake is stuck on!
Doohickey
Velociraptor
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There's a 'park off' button in the line of buttons to the right of the sat nav screen where the sport button is. I always leave the EPB off when I park for any length of time and rock the car back and forward a little to make sure the pads aren't grabbing the wheels. Mine's auto so I leave it in park. I assume with the MCS you can leave it in gear?
StuartW
Member
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I 'think' the MCS automatically switches to neutral when you turn off the ignition and the EPB comes on. I have never been able to turn my park brake off using the switches as it seems to switch itself back on once the ignition is switched off so I guess I am doing something wrong?
daverichardson
Member
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Yes this true for the QP
Before I stop the engine I engage P (auto transmission) press the Park Off Button and then stop the engine.
When I return and turn ignition on the EPB has not engaged so it has been left in Park mode from the transmission
Had the stuck brakes on my QP - needed replacing after they broke up as I tried to pull away. Always park with "Park off". Does anyone use the EPB on an auto? I've tried using it like in a manual car but it just takes so long to engage/disengage, and, being an auto, should you stick it in Neutral at traffic lights anyway?
Eb
Eb
daverichardson
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I use EPB (in my garage) now and then just to make sure it functions. it does not take too long
At traffic lights I remain in gear and use the foot brake
At traffic lights I remain in gear and use the foot brake
murph7355
New Member
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Is it possible to leave an MC Shift in gear with the ignition off? And can anyone confirm that the parking brake can be disabled using the dash switches?
I rarely use even manual parking brakes, partly for the reason the OP has. Preference is to leave cars in gear (which IMO is a better way of stopping it moving anyway).
(Not found the right car yet, but call it research....
).
I rarely use even manual parking brakes, partly for the reason the OP has. Preference is to leave cars in gear (which IMO is a better way of stopping it moving anyway).
(Not found the right car yet, but call it research....
).Yes, I find the same - automatically goes into neutral and turns the EPB on when switching off. Anyone know a way to override?
I think that's what happened to me without knowing why at the time - the car was idling for some minutes while I was fiddling around and think eventually boosted the battery enough to give the EPB enough power to disengage.
StuartW
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I don't think you can leave the MCS in gear but I just tried it and if you put the car into neutral, press the EPB Off switch until the central binnacle display says EPB OFF and then turn off the ignition, the brake does stay off. Just make sure the car is chocked or on a super flat surface I guess!
okay so I think I have managed to leave it in gear with the EPB off (I hope!). if you switch the engine off then switch the ignition half way until the lights turn on then you can deactivate the EPB. the gear remained engaged in 1st when I switched it off I think unless I also shifted up, I can't remember exactly what I did now (sorry that's not helpful!). just have a play around it should work.
