Automatic parking brake malfunction

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
johnboi79
Posts: 13
Joined: 14 Jan 2018, 16:30
Location: south england
My Cars: Citroen c4 grand Picasso 08
x 1

Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by johnboi79 »

I have had this light on for several months but no faults have been thrown up can anyone advise please?

I think it has something to do with the auto handbrake but I am not sure.

I have gone through the setting on the steering wheel and changed the option to on or off but he light stays on and nothing changes.

The car drives as normal I have to manually deactivate the hand brake as I think it should come off auto when I drive off but again I am not sure?
Attachments
IMG_8388.JPG
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by GiveMeABreak »

This refers to the Electric Parking Brake.

If it is on, then is means one of two things -

A) The automatic application and release functions have been disabled (via the Menu: “Personalisation/Configuration /Define the Vehicle parameters / Driving assistance / Automatic handbrake”. In this case you must apply and release the brake manually, including when the engine stops.

B) The same applies as above - but the Automatic Function is faulty.

You can check the status by going into the menu for the car options as I described in (A). It is sometimes recommended to deactivate the automatic function when it is very cold / snow / ice and towing of course).
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Ok, so if you are sure it has not manually be deactivated, I'll have a look and see what conditions cause the backupmode to engage. Do you have your VIN handy, so I can check the exact options for your car? PM me if you don't want to post it here.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by GiveMeABreak »

John, I've moved the original replies here from your other thread to prevent duplicate posts - as you have now created a separate topic. :wink:

Regarding the LED - if this is remaining lit without the SERVICE light or the 'P' warning lamp, then it can be caused by many issues. The system has gone into a 'Backup Mode' and will remain like this until it is sorted.

The only way to resolve this is to get the fault codes from a Diagbox / Lexia session. There are too many faults that can be returned to start guessing, but it can be caused by an electrical coherence fault, or by the number of application cycles of the handbrake. It may be simply a matter of undertaking a calibration procedure to fix - but we really need the codes to be able to progress and point you in the right direction.

The system is designed for 100,000 application cycles - but there could be many causes, so getting the actual code is a priority - and will no doubt need to be sorted prior to an MOT.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
johnboi79
Posts: 13
Joined: 14 Jan 2018, 16:30
Location: south england
My Cars: Citroen c4 grand Picasso 08
x 1

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by johnboi79 »

Hi Marc,
The word SERVICE is lit also, but I will see what I can get sorted this week.
Thanks for your help so far.

Kind Regards John
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Hi John, no worries - the codes are numerous and the actual combination of the 'P', 'SERVICE' & 'Auto PBL' LEDs can again have many meanings - so that is helpful, along with the fault codes you can obtain. Let us know and I'll see what comes up.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
johnboi79
Posts: 13
Joined: 14 Jan 2018, 16:30
Location: south england
My Cars: Citroen c4 grand Picasso 08
x 1

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by johnboi79 »

car booked in for Friday morning so ill update you once I have anything to tell.
RichardW
Forum Treasurer
Posts: 10814
Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: MK2 '17 C4GP 1.6 BlueHDi 120
'13 3008 1.6 HDi GripControl
x 984

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by RichardW »

Hope it's nothing too onerous... The motor units are generally reliable - and although they are dear new (£600+) they can be had 2nd hand for much less. Fitting doesn't seem too hard (they are at least inside protected from the elements!) - but need to be calibrated after fitting.

For some reason the EPBs on these seem a bit weak - plenty of stories of them failing the MOT (ours has done it twice!) - but they can be got through. I wonder if ours needs a new primary cable; not too dear or hard to fit - will see on Thursday as it's in for test....
Richard W
User avatar
Sloppysod
Donor 2024
Posts: 965
Joined: 23 May 2015, 23:35
Location: North Wales
My Cars: Citroens
1 x GS, 1 x GSX (Banger raced), 1 x GSA,
2 x CX Famililles, 1 x CX GTI,
BX, XM, Xantia, C5 Mk1,
C4 (Coupe), C4 (B7),
C5 (X7)

Renault
R4 Van
Fuego
Clio Campas
x 212

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by Sloppysod »

RichardW wrote: 30 Jan 2018, 14:44 Hope it's nothing too onerous... The motor units are generally reliable - and although they are dear new (£600+) they can be had 2nd hand for much less. Fitting doesn't seem too hard (they are at least inside protected from the elements!) - but need to be calibrated after fitting.

For some reason the EPBs on these seem a bit weak - plenty of stories of them failing the MOT (ours has done it twice!) - but they can be got through. I wonder if ours needs a new primary cable; not too dear or hard to fit - will see on Thursday as it's in for test....

This is not in answer to the thread but definitely linked.
Last MOT the tester said the parking brake function was borderline and he would have preferred a little more power, but he passed it anyway.
I will be doing the annual Service soon and the MOT will follow. My plan is to remove and refit rear pads with all internals cleaned & lubricated (where appropriate), then clean & lubricate the linkage - is there anything else I should look at to improve the operation as I can not test it before the MOT?
I have already re-calibrated it but I do not think this is all that was needed.
Thanks
Stu
Stu 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Major interventions
C5 Steering rack @ 58,000 mi
4 discs & Pads @ 63,585 mi
2 (AM6) oil exchanges @ 58,876 & 72,378 mi
RichardW
Forum Treasurer
Posts: 10814
Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: MK2 '17 C4GP 1.6 BlueHDi 120
'13 3008 1.6 HDi GripControl
x 984

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by RichardW »

I cleaned and greased the brakes on ours just before test and it went through OK. The NS secondary cable is operated by the outer of the primary cable - I wonder if a sticky / stiff cable limits the force transferred. You can get new cables for £20 and don't look too hard to change; although you need to remove the passenger seat, which is currently a bit of a challenge on ours as it is stuck (again!).
Richard W
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Unfortunately the X7 EPB cables are not available from service, so it looks like a whole new unit when it reaches the maximum application number 🙄
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
Sloppysod
Donor 2024
Posts: 965
Joined: 23 May 2015, 23:35
Location: North Wales
My Cars: Citroens
1 x GS, 1 x GSX (Banger raced), 1 x GSA,
2 x CX Famililles, 1 x CX GTI,
BX, XM, Xantia, C5 Mk1,
C4 (Coupe), C4 (B7),
C5 (X7)

Renault
R4 Van
Fuego
Clio Campas
x 212

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by Sloppysod »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 12 Feb 2018, 20:39................. maximum application number 🙄

Am I doing wrong, mine car is an auto and every time I stop at a juction/roundabout or in traffic, I put the lever into neutral and activate the parking brake, thinking this is doing good as it is keeping it all moving.
This maximum application number, is This resettable or when the number(?) is reached I have to start replacing bits £££? [-o<
Stu 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Major interventions
C5 Steering rack @ 58,000 mi
4 discs & Pads @ 63,585 mi
2 (AM6) oil exchanges @ 58,876 & 72,378 mi
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I’m out in town at the moment, so I’ll do some digging when back Stu, but for the C4 Picasso models circa 2008 the EPB has 100,000 application ! Release cycle life. It is a different system to the X7 one which I think you may be referring to. I’ll see what I can dig out on the X7 lifespan.

As for application, the handbrake will obviously be applied when car is switched off automatically (if auto function enabled) and for hill start assist / hold. I tend not to apply mine any more than needed on my manual for the reason that the whole unit has to be replaced at about a grand, as the cables can’t be replaced. I’ll see if I can locate life cycle for it shortly.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Just had a check and for the X7, if you get a fault code of C154E - then that will be triggered for application cycles greater than 105,000 or 500 unwanted full releases. The resolution is a recalibration - so fingers crossed that won't be the end of the line....
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
Sloppysod
Donor 2024
Posts: 965
Joined: 23 May 2015, 23:35
Location: North Wales
My Cars: Citroens
1 x GS, 1 x GSX (Banger raced), 1 x GSA,
2 x CX Famililles, 1 x CX GTI,
BX, XM, Xantia, C5 Mk1,
C4 (Coupe), C4 (B7),
C5 (X7)

Renault
R4 Van
Fuego
Clio Campas
x 212

Re: Automatic parking brake malfunction

Post by Sloppysod »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 13 Feb 2018, 13:36 Just had a check and for the X7, if you get a fault code of C154E - then that will be triggered for application cycles greater than 105,000 or 500 unwanted full releases. The resolution is a recalibration - so fingers crossed that won't be the end of the line....

Cheers Marc, you got me very worried about this.
I do not like leaving the car in gear and my foot on the brake when stopped, worry of it slipping off and the car moving. :)
I will look next time I plug my car in and see if IO can find the counter, just so I know where I am at.
Last edited by Sloppysod on 13 Feb 2018, 19:49, edited 1 time in total.
Stu 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Major interventions
C5 Steering rack @ 58,000 mi
4 discs & Pads @ 63,585 mi
2 (AM6) oil exchanges @ 58,876 & 72,378 mi
Post Reply