C5 Tourer Exclusive - Electrical Problem

[NAM]

Hi All
I have just posted a For Sale message for my C5 Exclusive Tourer but wanted to flag up the problem I am having which has prompted me to see if there is anyone out there who can fix the problem or has had similar issues.
The issue is that when I start the car all number of alarms and warnings come on telling me that there is a problem with the braking system. The electronic handbrake won't disengage either so I can't drive off. The manual release worked for a while (and allowed me to take the car to my local garage) but the auto electrician reckons it could be an expensive fix and wasn't 100% sure what it might be either.
So if you have had similar you might be able to point me in the right direction or if there is somebody who wants to have a look please reply to my For Sale message.
It is a real pit as the car has been fantastic - is in immaculate condition inside and out and serviced by Citroen every year. I've only recently had rear discs and pads fitted and last year had new wiper motors fitted.

[GiveMeABreak]

Did you read the special notes in the manual where you have applied the emergency release?

This strap does not permit application of the parking brake.

To re-engage the electronic parking brake (after rectifying the malfunction or battery failure), give a long pull on the control 'A' (which is the parking brake switch) until the parking brake warning lamp (!) flashes on the instrument panel then give a second long pull until this warning lamp is lit permanently.

The time required for the subsequent application may be longer than during normal operation.

It is essential that the ignition is not switched on until the parking brake has re-engaged (flashing of the warning lamp (!) on the instrument panel then warning lamp lit permanently) to avoid damage to the parking brake.

Take care not to allow moisture or dust in the proximity of the diagnostic socket D which is essential for the maintenance of your vehicle.

If it has not been properly re-engaged it will lead to ongoing issues. The bit people forget is not to switch the ignition / engine on before the long pull of the parking brake switch to re-engage the handbrake cables.

[NAM]

Thanks Marc for your reply - yes I always make sure that the brake is re-engaged and in fact yesterday I tried the car again and it more or less worked first time - still a few messages but the handbrake did release and I could drive the car round the block without any issues.

I am pretty sure this can be fixed but I have just purchased a 2016 Tourer VTR+ so I am hoping to find someone on the forum who would like the car and can sort out the problem. The car is immaculate and drives well - we just returned from Scotland before this issue came up and didn't have any problems at all.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, just for info, although the EPB has its own ECU, it is controlled directly by the ESP / ABS ECU.

It really needs a Diagbox diagnostic running on it for the fault codes as many of these are constructor-specific codes and won't necessarily be able to be read with other diagnostic kit. I could then let you know what it is not happy about.

But good luck with the sale - if the electronic parking brake is functioning, then it may only be something relatively minor I suspect, or may sort itself out with use.

[NAM]

I'm pleased to report that I sold the car today after an on line auction. The guy who bought it is in the Trade and told me he had seen it all before and knew how to fix the problem. I guess when you aren't paying upwards of £50 an hour (double that for Main Dealer) the maths add up better than on this side of the fence.
Anyway - have a 2016 version now with low miles so hopeful of trouble free motoring for a few years!

[Greg2791]

My car had similar issue (all alarms around hand brake and ESP/ABS) -when I fill the tank up to the cap. So I guess there must be a connector/wires near the tank - when is full it squeeze them.
I spot it , because the issue started twice at the petrol station. It was were weird. SO since that I never fill my tank full - no issue for 2 years.