Park brake warning light

**Pullstarter** · 29-07-2010, 07:17 PM

Hi Guys,
First electrical gremlin for me occurred today. Was driving along and all of a sudden there a was a "bing" and the park brake warning light came on. I pulled over and pulled the prak brake switch on, park brake worked fine, switched engine off and switched it back on again, no more warning light. Anyone else had this? I'm glad it "fixed" itself but just hope it's not a sign of things to come

**team_v** · 29-07-2010, 07:41 PM

Haven't had anything like that happen yet.
Hopefully it was just a minor one-off thing.

The e-handbrake kinda scares me a little.

**Tigger** · 29-07-2010, 08:05 PM

Hi Mate,
Funny you asked...
two days ago my "hill start" park brake (or whatever it is called) would not come on. I never really use it, but decided to that time as I had a very steep wet driveway to get up, and did not want to slip as my 1st gear (manual) took off.
I tried several times to get it to work...no success. Then later in the day, it just started working again and has not had another issue.
Gremlins in our brakes??!!

**Pullstarter** · 29-07-2010, 08:11 PM

I had a similar problem with the autohold once when on a VERY steep hill Tigger, maybe they dont like extra steep gradients? Hmm it's a bit worrying when it's brakes isn't it? Just have to keep an eye on it I guess..............

Must admit V I do have misgivings about the e-brake also, at least with a manual handbrake you don't need power. Don't get me wrong though I really like it, it's a neat gimmick. Just hope I don't end up in a situation where I need to release it when I have no electrical power :S

**Tigger** · 29-07-2010, 08:16 PM

Brakes are not something any of us like to have hesitations about.
Yep...I guess that this sort of park brake (electrical) set-up would be one of the things I really did not like when deciding to buy...but the rest of the package is great.
BUT, if they bring out a model with the good old fashioned hand brake, it would make many people happy...except the "school-run mums" I suppose.

**team_v** · 29-07-2010, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by tigger

Hi Mate,
Funny you asked...
two days ago my "hill start" park brake (or whatever it is called) would not come on. I never really use it, but decided to that time as I had a very steep wet driveway to get up, and did not want to slip as my 1st gear (manual) took off.
I tried several times to get it to work...no success. Then later in the day, it just started working again and has not had another issue.
Gremlins in our brakes??!!

I have read somewhere that there are specific conditions required for the autohold to work.
Maybe have a quick read over the manual to check if anyhting was required that you hadn't done.
I.e. you may need to be in teh car with your seatbelt on or it won't activate etc.

I am more worried that the e-brake might just lose power and my car will roll away.
I never have it out of gear when its parked just in case Pullstarter.

**Tigger** · 29-07-2010, 08:28 PM

That's a great reminder Team_V...never leave it out of gear when parked.

I think you are correct too re the need to have the seatbelt clicked in to enable the autohold to work! I remember that I did not have the belt on as I had just checked the mailbox and jumped in to drive up the steep driveway....that was prob why!

**Pullstarter** · 29-07-2010, 08:28 PM

Even if the power goes down I dont think the e-brake would release, I imagine it would have some kind of mechanical locking mechanism as a back up......I hope.

**team_v** · 29-07-2010, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by tigger

That's a great reminder Team_V...never leave it out of gear when parked.

I think you are correct too re the need to have the seatbelt clicked in to enable the autohold to work! I remember that I did not have the belt on as I had just checked the mailbox and jumped in to drive up the steep driveway....that was prob why!

Yeah i have had it happen to me once and i think my seatlbelt was off too (had to open the garage door or something)
Need to read up on the conditions.

And Pullstarter, i think you are right but there isn't anyhting tht i have read in the manual about it and i can't really see it so i just hope it works like you said.