Check Parking Brake Warning

Check Parking Brake Warning

Car: Avensis T270 2013.

1. Background:

Rear Left disc was making a pad wearing noise.

I checked the pads, and they had uneven wear.

I noticed the calliper piston seal was deteriorated and seized.

2. Attempt to fix:

I replaced the pads, disc and bought a new calliper.

To install the calliper I did the following steps:

1: Put vehicle into manual parking mode by holding the parking button for 5 seconds to release the handbrake

2: Removed the old calliper from the brake hose and EPB handbrake

3: Install the new calliper attaching it to the brake hose and EPB handbrake

4: No need to rewind calliper due to already done by manufacturer and aligned it the brake pad

5: Assemble everything else and bleed the brakes

3. Issue:

As soon I turned the car on it was still in manual mode.

I turned it to auto mode and it applied the EPB

A warning light came on saying 'Release Parking Brake'

After releasing it gave another warning 'Check Parking Brake'

4. Attempts to diagnose:

-I took the wheel off to visually watch the EBP mechanism:

When the parking brake is applied it seems to operate as expected by pulling the cable inwards - but I get a Release Parking Brake' warning.

When the parking brake is released, it seems to operate as expected by extending the cable - but the extending process is prolonged and its mechanical actuation sound can be heard for up to 10 seconds as it continues to extend - then I get a 'Check Parking Brake' warning

-I decided to unplug the Battery for 24 hours to allow for a computer reset-

This resulted in me successfully:

Turning off the manual mode

Appling the handbrake without the 'Release Parking Brake'

Accelerating for it to successfully disengage automatically

Took it for a test drive

However, when I replied the EBP manually it came back with the 'Check Parking Brake' warning and a mechanical actuation sound can be heard for up to 10 seconds

Does anyone have any ideas or previous experience on what this could be and the potential fix? Thanks

Sounds like a calibration issue... I have done the same job once and the exact same procedure as you. No warnings... 

A normal brake pad change requires pressing the brake pedal before using the handbrake so the pads hit the disc. But that is what you have done when bleed the brakes... 

Calibration can be done with Techstream etc. It should be possible even without any software; try holding the epb button for more than 5 seconds maybe 10 seconds?

6 hours ago, avetoy said:

Sounds like a calibration issue... I have done the same job once and the exact same procedure as you. No warnings... 

A normal brake pad change requires pressing the brake pedal before using the handbrake so the pads hit the disc. But that is what you have done when bleed the brakes... 

Calibration can be done with Techstream etc. It should be possible even without any software; try holding the epb button for more than 5 seconds maybe 10 seconds?

Thanks for your message.

I tried holding the EPB button for more than 10 seconds but it doesn't seem to have an effect.

I got a bluetooth OBD reader which displays a "Electric Parking Brake C13A7" error code.

I attempted to clear the code using the app but the fault on my dash reappeared instantly.

The Techstream software you mentioned, will that clear the error code permanently? I found a Techstream cable available on eBay, will that do the job?

Also just to rule out anything else, I've only changed the rear pads, dics and caliper on the left side. I've not interacted with the right side. Does that cause an possible imbalance with the EPB? Do you advise I change the right side parts as well?

Thanks again.

when you changed your calliper and break pads on did you drive it around and test step on the breaks a few times whiole mcar was in service mode and then after a wee drive using the breaks back and forward and while with your foot on the breaks then and only then put the car out of service handbreak mode and put the handbreak on if this was dont it should not be a problem .thats the way i change my rear  brake pads i have the car in handbreak servics mode and when finished i drive the car around while in serivice mode and only then after i know the breaks work great i put the car rear handbreak out of service mode on  and break on while im standing on the breaks with my foot also 

14 hours ago, RoboMoon said:

Do you advise I change the right side parts as well?

Maybe you should at least check the right side; change the pads?

The C13A7 error code could mean that the epb activation has taken too long so something could be stuck maybe?

I found this russian site where is some info about calibration without Techstream or other software (open at your own risk):

http://zatonevkredit.ru/repair_manuals/raw_content/RM1000000013CJJ.xml#RM1000000013CJJ

13 hours ago, 2009joe said:

when you changed your calliper and break pads on did you drive it around and test step on the breaks a few times whiole mcar was in service mode and then after a wee drive using the breaks back and forward and while with your foot on the breaks then and only then put the car out of service handbreak mode and put the handbreak on if this was dont it should not be a problem .thats the way i change my rear  brake pads i have the car in handbreak servics mode and when finished i drive the car around while in serivice mode and only then after i know the breaks work great i put the car rear handbreak out of service mode on  and break on while im standing on the breaks with my foot also 

The car wasn't put into service mode as I assumed that required some laptop software-

Instead, I used another method to release the brakes while the car was off which has the same effect as service mode:

1. Pull the EPB Button for 5 seconds to turn ON manual mode

2. Push the EPB Button for 5 seconds to turn OFF manual mode

After turning on manual mode I disengaged the EPB and turned the car off successfully without the EBP engaging.

Then I proceed to change the calliper, pad, and discs & I bled the brakes which required me to pump the brake pedal.

After the process was complete, I turned on the car and turned off manual mode which is when the 'Release Parking Brake' & 'Check Parking Brake' Error appeared.

I did take it for a 2 minute test drive after disconnecting/connecting the Battery but the error reappeared.

Do you suggest I take it for a longer test drive, and it might calibrate to the new parts?

Check this video out:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiZ-cPfitiGAxUuHRAIHX0kBD4Q-4ACegQIGxAG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fm.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRxLLp2MaJzY&usg=AOvVaw1IRGRISXARlF7siY58j-Nu&opi=89978449

11 hours ago, RoboMoon said:

The car wasn't put into service mode as I assumed that required some laptop software-

Instead, I used another method to release the brakes while the car was off which has the same effect as service mode:

1. Pull the EPB Button for 5 seconds to turn ON manual mode

2. Push the EPB Button for 5 seconds to turn OFF manual mode

After turning on manual mode I disengaged the EPB and turned the car off successfully without the EBP engaging.

Then I proceed to change the calliper, pad, and discs & I bled the brakes which required me to pump the brake pedal.

After the process was complete, I turned on the car and turned off manual mode which is when the 'Release Parking Brake' & 'Check Parking Brake' Error appeared.

I did take it for a 2 minute test drive after disconnecting/connecting the battery but the error reappeared.

Do you suggest I take it for a longer test drive, and it might calibrate to the new parts?

think 2 late when i service mode the way u did  there holding the button for 5 seconds to put it in service mode toy only take it out of that when  you take it for a test drive and the breaks working and driving for a bit when youj atre happy only then take it out of service mode .thats goes the same way when changing the break pads plus when i put my car into service mode i just left the ing on engine off the whole time my Battery never died 

[SOLVED]

Good news guys - I decided to check the rear right side brake and discovered that the caliper was not functioning properly.

When he handbrake was disabled it would try to actuate as normal to push the lever back on the caliper - however the caliper was not moving at all and would not allow the EPB cable to extend. 

I had to pull the caliper back manually which took a lot of leverage.

After this is changed it to new caliper, pads and discs and the warning lights are no longer coming on.

So it turns out the warning may have actually been correctly telling me that was a real fault. 

I've only tested the EPB 5-6 times so far without any warning and I still need do a proper test drive- however unlike before it would give a warning straight away one the handbrake was applied.

Thanks for your help guys!

Thanks for letting us know how you got on!