What is an EPB brake?
Many modern cars have advanced to EPB. The EPB is an improved, safer, and better braking system integrated into the onboard electronic computer for a better braking experience and more convenient means of applying emergency brakes under various situations.
When did electric parking brakes come out in BMW?
Electric parking brakes were first seen on the 2001 BMW 7 Series (E65), and ever since then, it has appeared on several vehicles. As explained earlier, an electric parking brake is an improved and more convenient means of applying the emergency brake under various situations.
Why is my parking brake not working on my Ford Ranger?
Common issues such as low system voltage or open fuse can cause the electric parking brake system to malfunction. Some of these faults will register a trouble code on the onboard computer, indicating a fault with the EPB, or display a ‘Service parking brake’ message if there’s a reported fault.

Why is my electric parking brake not working?
If the parking brake fails to release automatically or manually, it could be stuck on for a number of reasons: * There is an electronic fault with the EPB control module. * The parking brake electric actuator motor has failed or is jammed. * The gear shift selector switch or brake pedal switch are faulty.
How do I reset my electronic parking brake?
Here's how to reset it;Switch the ignition to the ON position and shift the gear lever in PARK. ... 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.More items...•
Does electronic parking brake automatically engage?
The electronic parking brake will usually be applied automatically when the vehicle is switched off or park (P) is engaged on an automatic car.
What happens if an electronic handbrake fails?
You Can't Rely On Electric Parking Brakes In Emergencies If you're in a situation where your brakes fail, you won't be able to engage the electric parking brake while you're driving. When you try to use it, chances are it won't respond at all and you'll need to rely on your regular brakes instead.
What does parking brake malfunction mean?
Some of the most probable symptoms that drivers may notice when it comes to a malfunctioning electronic parking brake are: The brake does not engage when it should. This means that when parking on a hill, the car wheels may still begin to roll. A properly-functioning EPB will prevent the rear wheels from moving at all.
What does it mean when it says service electronic parking brake?
It illuminates to show that the parking brake or emergency brake is engaged and must be released before driving. If it remains lit after the parking brake is released or if it turns on and off intermittently while you're driving, it means you need to add brake fluid.
Where is the EPB switch located?
0:262:55Electric Parking Brake / Auto Hold - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe electric parking brake releases automatically whenever you depress the accelerator pedal. WhileMoreThe electric parking brake releases automatically whenever you depress the accelerator pedal. While in reverse or drive to release the electric parking brake manually depress the brake pedal.
How does VW electronic parking brake work?
0:011:22Electronic Parking Brake | Knowing Your VW - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPress the brake pedal. And press the parking brake switch. The parking brake will release. And theMorePress the brake pedal. And press the parking brake switch. The parking brake will release. And the indicator light will go out the parking brake will also release when the driver's door is closed.
How does the VW electric handbrake work?
0:571:52Electric Parking Brake/Autohold - Easy to understand | VolkswagenYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI come to a stop the car is protected from rolling by the auto. Hold function now when I open theMoreI come to a stop the car is protected from rolling by the auto. Hold function now when I open the door auto hold automatically switches over to the electronic parking brake.
How do you test an electronic parking brake?
1:2519:08MOT testing electronic parking brakes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipManual release when the switch or the brake pedal is pressed parking assistance if combined with aMoreManual release when the switch or the brake pedal is pressed parking assistance if combined with a distance sensor.
How do you check electric parking brake?
At some point vehicles fitted with electric parking brakes will have to go through an MOT test. Normally, the tester will test a conventional parking brake on a roller brake tester by applying the brake lever and observing the individual and total brake force; and the balance between left and right.
Can you release electric handbrake with no power?
Disconnecting the battery shouldn't totally release your brake. For security reasons, it is designed such that it should hold the vehicle even when there is no power going to it.
Jonno .:R
I've just had a fault light come on for the electronic parking brake and it also says front assist is now deactivated. I recall others having a similar thing happen but couldn't find anything from a quick search.
monkeyhanger
Had this on my GTD, a few sensors were recalibrate and never happened since.
bigmac3161
Yep every time the dogs on a long journey she's lies on the auto hold button which causes the yellow triangle alarm to come on. It won't work that day but will reset it's self over nite works fine next day.
almac
Mine has had something relaxed recently because of the electronic parking brake failing.
MarkH
I have had this a couple of times and I have also had up to 6 alarms come up at once (including these).
Lightweight
Just thought i'd post an experience with my handbrake. Couple of weeks ago, my wife went to drive off on a Friday night and Handbrake light was flashing and handbrake would not disengage. Checked this post and thought it may reset itself, but Saturday morning same thing, couldnt move the car.
Cogito
I've never had this before, but I ALWAYS leave my car in gear (manual) and always have done, whatever car I've had.
albatross
Started my car up to come home from work and I got 7 errors messages: parking brake failed, hill start failed, traction control failed etc etc etc. Car completely undriveable as the EPB won't release. VW assist came out and could not do anything with the car so I had to abandon it overnight as the dealerships were shut.
veewiz
Started my car up to come home from work and I got 7 errors messages: parking brake failed, hill start failed, traction control failed etc etc etc. Car completely undriveable as the EPB won't release. VW assist came out and could not do anything with the car so I had to abandon it overnight as the dealerships were shut.
harryhackenbacker
Why did you leave it there then? When I've been in situations like that before they either got me home and picked up the car from my house the following day. Or they kept the car in their secure compound until the following day.
albatross
Why did you leave it there then? When I've been in situations like that before they either got me home and picked up the car from my house the following day. Or they kept the car in their secure compound until the following day.
Little Lofty
Don't VW assist offer a hire car? They should have taken it back to their compound for safe keeping at the very least.Pretty poor service tbh.
mowflow
Sounds like a very poor show. My only experience of using manufacturer "assist" services has been with BMW and they have been fantastic every single time whether I have owned the car or it has been leased.
albatross
I would have still been there now if I had insisted they bring it back here! I needed to get back home for the kid. Also as I am a contractor I can't take a day off to deal with this sort of stuff.
What is an Electric parking brake?
Electric parking brake (EPB), a North American accent for the electronic parking brake, is an electronically controlled emergency brake. It is typically activated by depressing the brake pedal and pulling up the EPB button and deactivated by pressing a button with just a fingertip.
Electric parking brake applications
As explained earlier, an electric parking brake is an improved and more convenient means of applying the emergency brake under various situations.
Most common Electric parking brake problems
Like every electronic system and component in a vehicle, problems can occur on the EPB if switches or wires between the actuator and module are opened, shortened, broken, or develop high resistance. Common issues such as low system voltage or open fuse can cause the electric parking brake system to malfunction.
Advantages of electronic parking brakes
Electric parking brakes vs. handbrake are pretty different from each other. The electronic parking brake incorporates an electronic system that makes your car come to a stop when you pull the EPB button.
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.