Today’s newer vehicles are often equipped with an electric parking brake, making the design seamless and clutter-free. While this upgrade seems like a great advance, there have been a lot of electric parking brake problems that people have to deal with.
If you aren’t used to working with this system, read on to learn more about the most common problems with the electric parking brake.
We also give you some simple fixes that might take care of the issues. Plus, there’s a section that answers your most-asked questions at the end.
What is an Electric Parking Brake?
The electric parking brake (EPB) was first installed in 2001 BMW 7 Series models. While it didn’t gain instant popularity, it did eventually become the new standard in some modern vehicles.
The EPB activates when the driver holds down a button inside the car. The brake pads electrically apply to the rear wheels with the help of the actuator motors and the electronic control unit (ECU).
There are some plus sides and downsides to this modern system.
Electronic Handbrake Pros
- Don’t need to physically activate the brake
- Takes up less room in the car
- More appealing look
- Many disengage automatically when driving
- Many automatically apply when parking the car
Electronic Handbrake Cons
- More expensive to repair
- Can’t use it to drift
- Less mental reassurance that the car is secure
How does an electric parking brake work?
An electric parking brake replaced an old-school parking brake lever in most cars these days. However, it’s not a new invention, since the BMW 7 Series had it back in 2001. Of course, technology has advanced and now gives you a more sophisticated solution.
It also has a few drawbacks, since it prevents the ability to drift and somewhat lacks that sporty element every car guy is used to. However, electric parking brakes are a standard these days, and there are two types – full electric and hybrid brakes.
The hybrid parking brake works similarly to the old-school lever system in terms of cables pushing the brake pads against the discs.
However, the cables are triggered by an electromotor, which is where the best of both worlds collide and results in emergency braking.
A full electric system is a bit more complex since there are no mechanical components and electric motors push the pads against the discs. As you pull the button with the “P” mark, electric motors engage and lock the wheels.
To relieve the pressure on the pads, it’s enough to gently push the button and the lock will release. Not only is this system more convenient, but it’s also more durable than the traditional hand brake.
Common Electronic Parking Brake Problems
Despite the reliability and convenience of electronic parking brakes, they are not immune to issues. Here, we’ll cover common problems and their symptoms.
#1. Stuck or Frozen Electronic Parking Brake.
One of the most common problems with electronic parking brakes is them getting stuck or frozen, especially in cold weather conditions. In such cases, the brake fails to release even after pressing the release button, leaving the vehicle immobilized.
Symptoms:
- The vehicle doesn’t move even when the gear is in drive mode.
- The dashboard displays a warning light or a ‘parking brake error’ message.
- You may hear a continuous whirring sound from the brake motors, indicating they’re trying to release the brake.
#2. Electronic Parking Brake Not Holding.
An equally critical issue occurs when the parking brake fails to hold the vehicle stationary. This typically happens due to a malfunction in the brake motor or the control unit.
Symptoms:
- The vehicle moves or rolls away when parked, especially on a slope.
- The dashboard may display a ‘parking brake failure’ message.
- An absence of the usual sound that the brake motors make when the parking brake is applied.
#3. Electronic Parking Brake Not Releasing.
If your electronic parking brake is not releasing, it could indicate a problem with the brake motors, wiring, or the electronic control unit. This issue can be a serious safety hazard, as driving with the parking brake engaged can damage the braking system.
Symptoms:
- The vehicle struggles to move or accelerates slower than usual.
- You may smell burning or notice smoke coming from the wheel area due to excessive heat generation from the brakes.
- The brake warning light on the dashboard remains on even after you’ve attempted to release the brake.
#4. Dashboard Warning Lights and Messages.
Modern vehicles are equipped with various sensors that monitor the condition of the car’s systems, including the electronic parking brake. These sensors communicate with the ECU, which then triggers a warning light or message on the dashboard if there’s a problem.
Symptoms:
- A warning light on the dashboard is typically depicted as a red or yellow circle with an exclamation mark or a ‘P’ symbol.
- Messages like ‘parking brake error’, ‘parking brake failure’, or ‘check parking brake’ appear on the dashboard.
- The warning light or message doesn’t go off even after the parking brake is released.
Causes of Electronic Parking Brake Problems
While electronic parking brakes are designed to provide reliable performance, they can still encounter issues due to various reasons.
#1. Mechanical Issues.
Mechanical wear and tear are natural parts of any vehicle’s lifecycle, and the electronic parking brake system is no exception. Over time, mechanical components can degrade, affecting the overall function of the system.
Common causes:
- The brake pads and discs wear down, leading to decreased braking efficiency. This wear can cause the electronic parking brake to not hold the vehicle effectively.
- Brake calipers can stick or seize due to corrosion or dirt buildup, leading to the parking brake getting stuck or not releasing.
#2. Electrical Issues.
The electronic parking brake relies on electrical signals to operate. Therefore, any issue with the electrical system can directly impact its performance.
Common causes:
- Faulty, frayed, or disconnected wiring can interrupt the electrical signals, leading to problems like the parking brake not releasing or applying.
- If the fuse or relay responsible for the electronic parking brake system blows or malfunctions, it can prevent the system from operating correctly.
#3. Software Issues.
The electronic parking brake system is controlled by software that communicates with various parts of the vehicle. Issues with this software can result in malfunctions.
Common causes:
- Outdated or corrupt firmware can cause the electronic parking brake to act unpredictably or malfunction.
- Incorrect calibration of the parking brake system can cause issues like the brake not holding the vehicle or not releasing completely.
#4. Environmental Factors.
External factors, such as extreme weather conditions, can also cause issues with the electronic parking brake system.
Common causes:
- In extremely cold weather, the parking brake can freeze, preventing it from releasing.
- High temperatures and humidity can lead to corrosion of the electrical components or brake parts, leading to malfunctions.
Can I drive with a parking brake malfunction?
You should never drive with a faulty parking brake. Otherwise, it can cause serious damage to your transmission and even cause an accident. Although you don’t use the parking brakes while driving, they come in handy in certain situations.
For instance, the parking brake helps with emergency braking and will prevent the vehicle from skidding.
Also, you can engage the parking brake when driving uphill, allowing the driver to hold the accelerator and clutch pedals steady without the vehicle rolling backward.
You can also use the parking brake if the main brakes fail while driving. In this case, you can engage the parking brake lever and slowly reduce the speed to a stop.
Therefore, driving with bad parking brakes puts you at risk of an accident as you have no system to stop the vehicle when the main brakes fail.
The parking brakes also ensure your vehicle is secure in case another vehicle rams into yours from behind. So if this happens while driving with a parking brake malfunction, your vehicle will roll backward instead of jolting forward.
It’s important to avoid driving your vehicle if your EPB doesn’t disengage. However, doing so can wear out or damage other components of the parking brake system.
How To Fix Electric Parking Brake Problems
If you have run into trouble with the electric parking brake, there are several ways to fix it yourself. We will outline some of the basic fixes but always recommend taking the car to a professional if you aren’t a mechanic.
#1. Read Codes With A Compatible Scanner.
All modern cars are fitted with an OBD-II port, usually located under the steering wheel near the driver’s side door. With a compatible scan tool, you can read any trouble codes that are set in the computer.
If a brake-related code has been set, you may be able to decipher it and fix the problem. Our comprehensive trouble code library has many of the most popular DTCs explained if you need more assistance.
#2. Clean/Replace the Parking Brake Switch.
If you think the switch is to blame, you want to clean it up thoroughly. Try to get a clean rag in the crevices of the switch and remove any debris. You can also use a can of compressed air to try and dislodge anything that might be stuck.
If the switch still isn’t working after cleaning it, there could be an issue with the wiring, connectors or fuses. Remove the cover on the console and visually inspect all of the electronics. If you notice anything broken or damaged, you should replace it now.
#3. Inspect Brake Caliper Motors.
The next step is to inspect the brake caliper actuator motors. This isn’t a job that’s geared toward just any mechanic, as many older technicians aren’t used to the newer electronic systems.
If you choose to do this yourself, we highly recommend reading through the service manual for your car. You should also be able to find some in-depth diagrams and schematics for the system that will make the job easier.
#4. Measure the Voltage to the Electric Caliper Motors.
Before we offer steps showing how to do this, we also need to tell you that our guidance should never supersede that of the manufacturer’s recommendations. If your service manual tells you to do something different, follow those instructions instead.
If you don’t have instructions, here are some guidelines to help you.
- Set your multimeter to DC (direct current).
- Place the leads on both ends of the main wiring harness.
- The reading should be minimal, ideally zero.
- Have a friend start the engine and set the parking brake.
- If the voltage reads 10 to 12 volts, there’s enough power for the actuator.
- If there’s no voltage or it’s lower than ten, you should check the fuse or wiring.
- You can also test the actuator solenoid winding for continuity. Start with a self-test by connecting the leads together. It should result in 0 ohms.
- If the self-test works, place the leads on both ends of the connector.
- If it beeps, the actuator winding is good, the problem may be the switch instead.
- If it doesn’t beep, replace the actuator solenoid.
#5. Reset Codes and Relearn With the Scanner.
Whether you’ve recently changed the back brakes or you’ve made changes to the system, you will need to update the system with a compatible scanner. If there are brake warning lights on, use your code scanner to turn them off.
Your advanced scanner should also be able to start the relearning process. If it doesn’t, you may want to upgrade to something more professional or move on to our next step.
#6. Contact A Professional.
No one can expect you to understand the ins and outs of the electric parking brake system. This is a newer design and something that even old-school professional mechanics are struggling to learn.
If you feel overwhelmed at any time or don’t have the tools to complete the job, reach out to a local mechanic for more support.
To find a reliable mechanic, we recommend reading online reviews. It also helps to check with co-workers, family and friends to see who they use. Before you get any work done, make sure you ask for a detailed estimate showing the cost of parts and labor.
Do electronic parking brakes automatically disengage?
On the newer systems, the electronic parking brakes release automatically as soon as you drive off. To manually disengage the electronic parking brake:
- Switch on the ignition
- Press the brake pedal
- Then press the electric parking brake switch. When you release the parking brake, the parking brake warning light turns off.
For the other systems, you must press the brake pedal and flick the parking brake switch again to disengage it.
Your electronic parking brake will automatically disengage under the following circumstances:
- The accelerator pedal is depressed
- The driver’s door is closed
- The parking brake system is in working condition
The parking brake warning light will go off to indicate that you have released the electric parking brake.
If the parking brake warning light stays on, the electric parking brake will not automatically release. Instead, you will have to release the EPB manually using the switch or button.
FAQs.
Q: How do you reset the electric parking brake on a Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic’s electric parking brake is designed to engage once you switch off the ignition. Here’s how to reset it;
- Switch the ignition to the ON position and shift the gear lever in PARK. Do not depress the brake pedal.
- Pull and release the EPB button to activate the electric parking brake.
- Pull and hold the EPB button until you hear a mechanical sound, then release the button.
- Pull up and hold the EPB button for 3 seconds, and release it when you hear two mechanical beeps.
The electric parking brake is fully reset to activate whenever you turn off the ignition.
To deactivate this feature, repeat the above process; the system will make a single click to show you have successfully deactivated this feature.
Q: Why won’t my parking brake be released?
One common issue with stuck parking brakes is corrosion. The corrosion on brake systems is typically caused by water and dirt.
Corrosion can cause the brake cable to snap, parking brakes to fail, and brake pads to stick to the brake disc. If you are fond of pulling your brake lever too hard, it will cause your brakes to stick against the drum brake walls over time.
Q: How do you release an electric parking brake with a dead battery?
Electric parking brakes are not designed to work with dead batteries. If your car battery is discharged and you need to disengage the electric park brake, you have two options.
Either you jump-start your car with another vehicle or with a portable jump starter, or you release the brake manually.
And to release it manually, you need a unique tool along with a jack tool. Fix the proper bit on the tool, take off the plug on the tire well, insert the jack tool, and turn it counterclockwise to release.
Q: Should you use e brake when parking?
Emergency brakes are designed to be applied when parking vehicles. Regardless of the transmission you’re driving (automatic or manual), whether you want to park on a slope or level parking lot, or whether the weather is inclement or unpleasant, you should always park with the emergency brake. And as the name implies, you should always use it in emergencies.
Q: How do you release a parking brake manually?
It is almost impossible to release an electric parking brake without switching on the ignition. The invention of electric parking brakes comes with many challenges, from diagnostics to servicing the system.
It also means when there is a failure in another system, such as the electrical system, parking brakes may not be coming up and may not release.
So, I will highlight the steps that might just allow you to release your parking brake manually. It requires getting to the back of the wheel and getting access to the back of the caliper. Follow the steps below.
- Raise your back wheels and support with jack stands.
- Slide under the vehicle and locate the rear brake caliper.
- Look at how the EPB motor is mounted. Some are serviceable; some are not. If they are serviceable, they will have bolts holding them on the caliper housing. If they are not serviceable, you’ll not be able to perform this procedure.
- Locate and remove the bolts holding the EPB motor but don’t unplug the electric brake motor. This will cause the system to lose base settings. In some cases, it may require you to replace the brake caliper and the electric parking brake motor.
- After removing the bolts, carefully remove the EPB motor out of the way.
- Using the correct socket that will fit in the back of the caliper piston, turn the caliper piston adjustment to release the caliper piston.
- After doing this, you can take the EPB motor out from the suspension systems while lowering the vehicle.
- Once on the ground, you’re ready to fix the customer’s concern.
- After fixing a customer’s concern, you will need the reverse procedure on the electromechanical parking brake to fix things together.
Final word
The electronic parking brake is a welcome invention in modern cars for better and improved convenient braking over conventional brakes, especially at high speeds and when parking.
However, you’ll experience some common electric parking brake problems as the system begins to wear out. Knowing how to fix these problems will save you stress, time, and energy.