Electronic handbrake ongoing issues

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Fatbloke

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I got my car just over a year ago with 9000 miles on it.

I have had intermittent trouble with the handbrake sticking on and not releasing since I got it. I am sure my clutch must be nearly burnt out trying to get it to release the handbrake.

It's been into 2 different dealer's who can find no fault. They said it was fine.

Finally today it was particularly bad and I had to call out the breakdown guy. He checked it and although no fault was found he verified it was not releasing. Seemingly the software used to have a section that could be set so it knew where the clutch biting point was so it knew when to release the handbrake. He checked and this is now not in the vehicle software. He contacted Audi Tech who seem to know there is an issue with these handbrakes (although they never told me) and they are currently writing new software.

I have now to take the car in to the dealer's yet again in the hope of a fix.

I am extremely unhappy about the severe extra wear on my clutch.

Anyone else had this issue and more importantly a fix??
 
I've not had major problem but I am not a fan!
 
Whereas I’m a huge fan, works faultlessly every time.
 
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When it works its great but I can't trust it. Sometimes it takes 2, 3 or more dips of the clutch to release. It can be a nightmare on a hill with vehicles very close behind you if it releases and rolls back on a random mid dip. Nearly hit a car a couple of weeks ago brcausevof that. I just want it fixed but they have not taken the issue seriously for a year. At least now I have a report saying I am not making it up.
 
Is this discussion about the parking brake or Hold Assist?
I’ve never had a problem with either, but I almost always release the parking brake with the switch.
Is that not working in this case?
 
I am puzzled why you have severe clutch wear then. If it sticks why not just release it with the switch.
But I do agree it sounds like a fault that should be fixed.
 
It's not always ideal to put it off with the button. It takes extra time when in traffic and causes problems on hills.
It doesn't release when it should and has allowed the car to roll back several times.
 
I'm a fan of the electronic handbrake and hold assist. Mine works fine, and think it's great.

I'd never get a car with an electronic handbrake without hold assist. It's so convenient having it automatically apply the handbrake and then release it. It's be a pain in the backside to keep pressing and flicking the switch on and off.
 
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Fatbloke said:
I got my car just over a year ago with 9000 miles on it.

I have had intermittent trouble with the handbrake sticking on and not releasing since I got it. I am sure my clutch must be nearly burnt out trying to get it to release the handbrake.

It's been into 2 different dealer's who can find no fault. They said it was fine.

Finally today it was particularly bad and I had to call out the breakdown guy. He checked it and although no fault was found he verified it was not releasing. Seemingly the software used to have a section that could be set so it knew where the clutch biting point was so it knew when to release the handbrake. He checked and this is now not in the vehicle software. He contacted Audi Tech who seem to know there is an issue with these handbrakes (although they never told me) and they are currently writing new software.

I have now to take the car in to the dealer's yet again in the hope of a fix.

I am extremely unhappy about the severe extra wear on my clutch.

Anyone else had this issue and more importantly a fix??
Click to expand...

My first S3 did this and they replaced the clutch switch - No problems after that, my other 2 cars have been ok - however my mate who is an Audi Mastertech has had this on his A3's several times and others I believe

The last one he reset the measuring blocks (Software I'm told) and it seemed to solve the issue, but as you have said this seems to have been removed typical

I like the electronic handbrake but it does seem to have its issues
 
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I currently have this issue with both Hold Assist and the parking break. Frustratingly it’s intermitant with no discernible pattern, fortunately an Audi tech has experienced it twice. The first time they thought it was the master clutch cylinder which they replaced, the problem reoccurred a fortnight later and the car was booked back in. The day it was due in it started working perfectly so after a chat with Audi the booking was cancelled. A couple of weeks ago it started to get much worse so I’ve had to book it back in again to be looked at.
 
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They said there was no hold assist on mine as there was no button for it but sometimes when on a hill although I don't put the handbrake on it still brakes when I am trying to pull awaynthen you feel it release a split second later. Is that hold assist??

If I put the handbrake on manually, often it will not release and I have to almost wheelspin or put it off manually to get it to release. Not ideal on a steep hill.

The thing is, as they are currently writing new software for this, they obviously knew there was an issue. I think they should be replacing the clutch kit as well as fixing the handbrake.

I also have problems with the gearchanges being notchy/clunky, especially in 2nd. Could this be caused by a similar issue, ie the clutch causing the issues rather than the brake??
 
AStalUK said:
I currently have this issue with both Hold Assist and the parking break. Frustratingly it’s intermitant with no discernible pattern, fortunately an Audi tech has experienced it twice. The first time they thought it was the master clutch cylinder which they replaced, the problem reoccurred a fortnight later and the car was booked back in. The day it was due in it started working perfectly so after a chat with Audi the booking was cancelled. A couple of weeks ago it started to get much worse so I’ve had to book it back in again to be looked at.
Click to expand...

The first time I took it in it stuck and the tech witnessed it. They did a "reset" and it was better for a couple of weeks. It's been intermittent ever since for almost a year and they said it was fine as they couldn't find a fault. I feel like I have been fobbed off but now the call out guy witnessed it and could not fix it I feel they need to fix it now.
 
Fatbloke said:
They said there was no hold assist on mine as there was no button for it but sometimes when on a hill although I don't put the handbrake on it still brakes when I am trying to pull awaynthen you feel it release a split second later. Is that hold assist??

If I put the handbrake on manually, often it will not release and I have to almost wheelspin or put it off manually to get it to release. Not ideal on a steep hill.

The thing is, as they are currently writing new software for this, they obviously knew there was an issue. I think they should be replacing the clutch kit as well as fixing the handbrake.

I also have problems with the gearchanges being notchy/clunky, especially in 2nd. Could this be caused by a similar issue, ie the clutch causing the issues rather than the brake??
Click to expand...
No - not Hold Assist. What you are experiencing is Hill Hold, which is a standard feature of the s-tronic gearbox.
 
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OK. Maybe manuals have Hill Hold as well, but I didn’t think so. It does sound then like that could be a fault.
 
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No hill hold on my manual gearbox. Sorry to hear of your issue's. Mine has worked perfectly. The only thing I don't like is it remains on if you have your seatbelt off but a manual release is not a problem.
 
Took car into dealer's today. They get me a VW Golf GTI. It's a nice motor and now I know how the handbrake should work.

Faultless and virtually unnoticeable every time even on hills.
 
There were some cases on newer passats with the same problems. Not releasin when driving away. Allways intermittent. Bad connection at the connector. Replacing connector and pins solved the problems. U can check if the part number of the hall sensor for clutch position has a ‘newer’ part number aswell. Just as an info if it helps.

Cheers
 
RichardT said:
OK. Maybe manuals have Hill Hold as well, but I didn’t think so. It does sound then like that could be a fault.
Click to expand...

Manual cars have this. Even my wife's little Citigo has it.
 
Ape988 said:
There were some cases on newer passats with the same problems. Not releasin when driving away. Allways intermittent. Bad connection at the connector. Replacing connector and pins solved the problems. U can check if the part number of the hall sensor for clutch position has a ‘newer’ part number aswell. Just as an info if it helps.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Thanks, that is very useful information.
 
RichardT said:
k
OK. I was referring to PFL, which is different from this explanation. They have obviously changed both the terminology and function.
Click to expand...

Hold Assist is standard now but like the others have said you did get an element of hold assist for about 3 seconds to give you time to switch from brake to accelerator - Actual hold assist uses the ABS to hold the brakes on but if to long it will switch to full handbrake although it's a long time before this happens as I've never had it switch over yet
 
A wee update:
Audi dealer called yesterday evening and left a message that they are changing something to do with the MMI (it intermittently flickers) and something to do with the ABS.

Not sure how that fixes the handbrake or notchy gearbox but we live in hope.

The Golf GTi courtesy car is awesome. Fantastic handbrake and smooth, slick gear changes. It has plenty oomph and sticks to the road like it's on rails. It's an absolute pleasure to drive. The handbrake works faultlessly everytime.

I hope my handbrake is like that when it's fixed. I want to get the A3 lowered and get a RARB fitted after driving the GTi.
 
My car is allegedly fixed. They changed the abs pump switch for the handbrake issue and the dash brightness switch for the flickering MMI. They still maintain the gear changes are not notchy although the other dealer told me it was notchy "to stop it jumping out of gear" !!!
I will collect it tomorrow and sadly hand back the golf.
Audi UK are considering my request for a new clutch kit after the handbrake issue happening for a year.
 
Update: it was an absolute pump they replaced. The handbrake has been a bit better but today it was slow and snaggy when releasing.

The MMI is still flickering.

The gear changes are still notchy, especially 2nd and to a lesser extent 4th.

I have to book it in again to take it out on a road test.

Audi won't replace the clutch but offered a free service and some goodwill towards another clutch if it fails as long as I always have it serviced at the dealer. I am not impressed with this after a year of the handbrake sticking on and wearing the clutch out.
 
RichardT said:
OK. Maybe manuals have Hill Hold as well, but I didn’t think so. It does sound then like that could be a fault.
Click to expand...

Yes, manuals do have hill hold assist.


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