Hi All

hope someone can help me with a small issue.. 

when I released the electric handbrake on my car I suddenly got a warning light on the dash saying “parking brake fault”. Now when I put the handbrake on I can feel it’s weaker than usual and not all wheels are locking in securely. Is this a sensor issue or could this be put into vcds and cleared on the computer? Any help would be great 

Hi from what you describe I would suggest stripping the brakes down on the rear as they may be sticking, if you have recently had the rear pads done its possible that the clip on stainless runners they operate on have not been changed with the pads unfortunately most people don't bother with these and they are a recommended consumable change.

you can do a visual check on the pads to note their condition but if they are about three quarters worn best practise is to replace them with the runners, you possibly could clear this with VCDS but the problem will quickly reappear within a couple of drive cycles.

Steve.

35 minutes ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi from what you describe I would suggest stripping the brakes down on the rear as they may be sticking, if you have recently had the rear pads done its possible that the clip on stainless runners they operate on have not been changed with the pads unfortunately most people don't bother with these and they are a recommended consumable change.

you can do a visual check on the pads to note their condition but if they are about three quarters worn best practise is to replace them with the runners, you possibly could clear this with VCDS but the problem will quickly reappear within a couple of drive cycles.

Steve.

Hi steve

 the rear brake pads are still fairly new. Got all pads changed about 8 months ago. Only now I suddenly got this warning light randomly. 
I was planning to put car onto VCDS and clear the code. Obviously before doing so it will tell me the issue but there’s a chance it might not even tell me anything. Some people have said it could be brake fluid or a sensor?

2 hours ago, Avais said:

Hi steve

 the rear brake pads are still fairly new. Got all pads changed about 8 months ago. Only now I suddenly got this warning light randomly. 
I was planning to put car onto VCDS and clear the code. Obviously before doing so it will tell me the issue but there’s a chance it might not even tell me anything. Some people have said it could be brake fluid or a sensor?

Hi, try the VCDS by all means but as I said from what you described it sounds as though the mechanical part of the calliper is having problems reaching the disc hence the weak hand brake, however recent the pad change 8 months is a long time considering the winter etc for road dirt ingression salt etc, as I said the stainless pad runners should always be changed with the pads, I didn't do this the first time I did mine and ended up with a similar problem over £8 worth of parts, the brake fluid should be changed every 30k or two years I have always adhered to this as it stops alloy rear callipers from seizing as brake fluid is hydroscopic and will absorb water from the atmosphere which then pools in the piston chamber and rots it.

Regards Steve.