Occasional handbrake fault

[Drago]

Hi,

Just sold my beloved X type and got a 3.0 Sport S type. Nice motor, reliable but has a glitch with the electric handbrake. Sometimes when you turn the ignition a fault shows up saying the handbrake is locked. It won't move. Turning the engine off and restarting after all the lights go out will sort the problem. I have found that manually taking the brake off with the ignition on works okay but on occasion you get a fault saying that you cannot apply the hand brake with an amber warning light. Again, turn the engine off and it resets. Other than that, car works fine. Can anyone tell me if this is due to a sensor or some easy fix? Also, have fitted an Adamesh exhaust and have fallen in love with the new growl I'm getting, but a bit disappointed that it's not as throaty as the X type. Anyone else think this? Would changing the induction set up help?

Thanks

[Old Peter]

Hi Andy,

Disconnect the battery for 10 seconds then reconnect.

You will have to keep your ignition key in your pocket, as the alarm will go off when you reconnect.

When you start the engine,  just follow the message instruction --  press both footbrake and hand brake. You will need to have your radio code to hand.

You will also have to reset all windows, volume, clock etc.

Also, to stop it happening too often keep you battery charged.

Regards,

Peter.

 

[Drago]

Hi Peter,

Many thanks for the info. Is this a common fault? doesn't seem to effect the car driving, just irritating at times having an error message and little yellow flashing light.

Thanks again

 

Andy

[Old Peter]

Hi Andy, 

It is something that happens when the battery is low.  I charge my car once a fortnight as I don't do a big mileage.

Regards,

Peter. 

[Drago]

Hi Peter,

Many thanks. Seem's to happen more when the temp drops so reckon I'll treat myself to a new battery.

Thanks again,

Regards,

Andy

[Old Peter]

Hi Andy, 

Batteries only seem to last for 5 years on Jaguars  --  so much electrical whatnots!

Regards,

Peter. 

[Deeharg]

On 10/3/2019 at 11:40 AM, Drago said:

Hi,

Just sold my beloved X type and got a 3.0 Sport S type. Nice motor, reliable but has a glitch with the electric handbrake. Sometimes when you turn the ignition a fault shows up saying the handbrake is locked. It won't move. Turning the engine off and restarting after all the lights go out will sort the problem. I have found that manually taking the brake off with the ignition on works okay but on occasion you get a fault saying that you cannot apply the hand brake with an amber warning light. Again, turn the engine off and it resets. Other than that, car works fine. Can anyone tell me if this is due to a sensor or some easy fix? Also, have fitted an Adamesh exhaust and have fallen in love with the new growl I'm getting, but a bit disappointed that it's not as throaty as the X type. Anyone else think this? Would changing the induction set up help?

Thanks

I've just had the same problem with my 2.7 after fitting a new brake booster.  The handbrake and brake fault light was on and the gear shift was stuck in park, on re inspecting under the dash I noticed that the brake peddle has a flat plate on it which activates the two switches, the bottom switch activates the cruise control and the top one activates the gear shift gate, the handbrake,  the brake fault light and the brake lights on inspection I noted that the activation plate on the peddle was just and so touching both switches, I tried adjusting the peddle on the brake booster rod but It if you do that the rod keeps falling out from its mount on the peddle, very dangerous,  my solution was to start the engine and depress the puddle as far as possible with your elbow and fit a piece  of windscreen washer tube, about 1/2 an inch long over the plastic rod on the switch so as to extend it by only about 1/4" l did this on both switches and since then have had no troubles at all everything including the cruise control now work.j

[Mr. Martin]

I've started having this problem regularly in recent weeks, due to the low temperatures overnight. In the morning, the handbrake fault shows and doesn't go away after turning off and starting again. I've had to disconnect the battery (about 5 different times in one case) to make it go away. Upon checking my battery with my mechanic, he suggested getting a new battery altogether. Could it be that the battery just needs re-charging? I do quite a lot of mileage so the alternator should do that job.

[Old Peter]

Hi Martin,

The battery on the s type lasts about 5 years, so that could certainly be the problem.

When I bought my s type in 2013 it has a new battery a bout 6 months before. I changed it when it was 4 years and 11 months old [It had a date on].

The cold weather does not help.

Tha battery is getting plenty of charging but it appears not to be holding the charge.

Christmas present for the car  -  New battery.

Regards,

Peter.

[Drago]

Hi Chaps,

Bought myself a new battery and problem solved, everything 100% whenever you turn the key now. Thanks for all the advice and info.

Incidentally, I found when I was having problems that if you turned the ignition on, you can manually release the hand brake before turning the engine over. An error message would come up saying that you cannot apply the parking brake and an amber warning light, but the car was still completely drive-able. Once you turn the ignition off, the brake would reset for the next time. Not ideal I know, but it saved opening the boot up every five minutes and either disconnecting the battery or unplugging the management system hidden behind the brake lights.

Different car with a new battery, my advice, early xmas presents all round!!!

Thanks again,

Drago

[fatcat1955]

On 10/3/2019 at 12:43 PM, Old Peter said:

Hi Andy,

Disconnect the battery for 10 seconds then reconnect.

You will have to keep your ignition key in your pocket, as the alarm will go off when you reconnect.

When you start the engine,  just follow the message instruction --  press both footbrake and hand brake. You will need to have your radio code to hand.

You will also have to reset all windows, volume, clock etc.

Also, to stop it happening too often keep you battery charged.

Regards,

Peter.

 

I used to pull out the R/H boot trim and unplug the Handbrake module. Does the same thing but quicker.

[Mr. Martin]

On 11/12/2019 at 7:18 AM, Old Peter said:

Hi Martin,

The battery on the s type lasts about 5 years, so that could certainly be the problem.

When I bought my s type in 2013 it has a new battery a bout 6 months before. I changed it when it was 4 years and 11 months old [It had a date on].

The cold weather does not help.

Tha battery is getting plenty of charging but it appears not to be holding the charge.

Christmas present for the car  -  New battery.

Regards,

Peter.

You're definitely right Peter.

I want to go for the best one I can get. I'm told Yuasa is the best battery which I was quoted €150 for. Another place told me their best battery was from Bosch at €110.

What does everybody think?

[Old Peter]

Hi Martin, 

I have a Platinum Battery, which is a good one with a price of £110. [Made in Manchester].

Of the two you have been told about I have heard that both are quite good, but for the diesel Bosch seems to be the one to go for.

Regards,

Peter.

[Drago]

Hi Peter,

I bought a Yuasa battery from Halfords for £143 and can't believe the difference. Engine flys into life when you turn the key, no more brake problems, and the phone has started working properly again. Can't recommend changing the battery enough!!!!

Cheers

[Old Peter]

Hi Andy,

Glad all OK now.

I stick a label on my battery with the date it was bought as a reminder.

Regards,

Peter.

[Drago]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the tip, I wrote the date on a sticker this evening. Touch wood, she's running like a dream at the moment, amazing the difference a decent battery makes.

Thanks again for the advice.

Kind regards,

Andy