Hand brake problem, or should I say button???

[transporterq]

Can not get a clear answer and the owners manual did not clear things up greatly, was immovable for 3 hours because the button on the dash of my 07 Passat, would not release. RAA could not fix it, needed to call them anyway to have a tow arranged. Solitaires, service department where great, allowed it to be towed there to be fixed and I had the next service preformed as well. Problem is hill starts, owners manual advises that you can just drive off and the brake will release, my Passat has not read the book, I go not where, then read to push the hold button on the left of the consul, seems to automatically release and allow car to go, but the light stays on, is this correct? What ever happen to just a pull up lever? Peter.

[Passatwind]

This happened to my 07 TDI. Button had to be replaced after a year or so. An Achilles heel.

[guthrie]

Can not get a clear answer and the owners manual did not clear things up greatly, was immovable for 3 hours because the button on the dash of my 07 Passat, would not release.

If you get stuck in the future, disconnect the battery for 5mins.. then try again. VW assist did this when my 07 Passat did the same thing.

then read to push the hold button on the left of the consul, seems to automatically release and allow car to go, but the light stays on, is this correct? What ever happen to just a pull up lever?

Yes. You will find that with the "light" on your brakes will automatically hold when ever you come to a complete stop (Traffic lights, stop signs etc).

Agree with your comment on a normal lever though. I have had 2 Park Brake Buttons fail on my 07.

[transporterq]

Thanks for that, hope not to use your advise of disconnecting the battery, fingers cross, only problem so far owing the car for nearly 10 months now. Only after thing I need to remember is to put diesel in, as it gives me around 1,000 km's per tank, it is easy to forget.

[RedDiablo]

Had a similar problem on my R36. Had to have a switch associated with the park brake replaced under warranty. Apparently a common problem.

[Umai Naa!!]

Definately a common problem.

A revised switch/button has been out for quite some time now, and most dealers usually carry them in stock. Best of all, it's only a 30 second repair.

[ozgreenman]

Also had this problem although mine was intermittent ... ended up getting the button replaced under warranty. The Passat was a little over 2 yrs old at the time with about 80k kms under its belt.

[Lorenz]

Been driving around an 09 Passat TDI for the past 4 weeks, love it to bits, but the push button brake issue is driving me nuts.
Last service Solitaire said they couldn't fix the issue?!

[spinks]

Also had this problem although mine was intermittent ... ended up getting the button replaced under warranty. The Passat was a little over 2 yrs old at the time with about 80k kms under its belt.

I had the same issue although my car is a little older (Dec0. The local dealer only took about 10 mins to identify the problem and replace the switch(but I had to wait over an hour before they would even look at the car in the first place)

[Tony6]

Had same problem on my 06 model. Intermittent switch problem, only answer is to replace it.( if its any consolation it also happens on Bentlys')

[awelsh]

Now have the Parking Brake Fault! messages on my MFD.
The first time the parking brake would not engage, the light just flashed in the switch.
Straight after the first fault I phoned closest VW dealer (Slaven VW at Belconnen) and was advised to take the car in for diagnosis.
Diagnosed as faulty switch and told that a replacement switch would be ordered. That was on Friday 20 January.
Have since had the fault three times, each time the parking brake would not release.
Called in to the dealer this morning (30th), VW service advisor would check on the parts order and get them to phone me. No phone call yet.
I have an Extended Warranty through Slaven, so should not cost me anything, though I am worried that I might get stuck before the replacement switch is available.

[Umai Naa!!]

Most dealers carry the button on the shelf these days. I'm surprised they don't.

Maybe try Lennock's.

[awelsh]

update

Update: the Parking Brake Switch was replaced today, two weeks after the fault was diagnosed.

On Tuesday (31st) afternoon I tried to phone the VW Service Consultant at Gerald Slaven VW in Belconnen as he had not phoned me to advise whether they had the replacement switch. He was busy, so I left my details and was told that he would phone me.
Having had no phone call from the Service Consultant, on Wednesday I phoned the Spare Parts section of Gerald Slaven VW and was told that the switch had not been ordered because they already had a switch in stock.
A few minutes later the workshop phoned me and booked the car in to replace the switch on Friday (today, the 3rd of Feb). I also received an SMS confirming the booking. Then yesterday, the 2nd of Feb, I received another SMS reminding me of the booking "for a service on the 01(sic) FEB 12".

As they already had a switch in stock, it could have been replaced 10 days ago.

The cost, part and labour, of replacing the swith was $132.70 covered by the Extended Warranty.

I notice that Parking Brake Switch problems are discussed in http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...-52361-13.html :

Hi all,
(snip)
Also experienced a problem with the electronic handbrake last week -could not release it, and button was flashing. Was told by VW that I would need it towed to workshop, but eventually brake released and I was able to drive the car without further incident until 3 days later when the above happened. Am told the two events are unrelated.

[Umai Naa!!]

Yes, the park brake switch issue is quite common. There's an improved part out to resolve it.

In some rare cases, the control module for the electronic park brake fails in sympathy.

[RedDiablo]

Its just on two and a half years since I posted on this thread and the park brake issue has resurfaced today on my R36. I've only just realised (and correct me if I'm wrong) that the switch that causes the problem is the actual button on the dashboard?

Has anyone purchased the switch themselves and done a DIY change out?