Parking brake failure warning

[robert.lye]

Hi all, first post,

I bought a 2020 Cayman 2.7 from a dealer with 55k miles and it looks and felt fine.

The day after getting it home I had the Parking Brake Failure warning come up on the MFD as I was out for a drive.

I pulled over, turned the car off and removed the key. On restarting the warning went and I completed the trip of about 15 miles.

A few days later I used the car to go to a local meet (The Motorist in Sherburn) and it happened again on the way there. On the drive back it didn’t occur.

The next day went for a drive but the fault light returned so I came home.
called the dealer and they have taken the car to rectify it. (Hopefully)

Is this a common problem? I have seen a few posts on forums about it.

i have only had the car a week and I am concerned that if the dealer, who isn’t a Porsche specialist, doesn’t use a specialist mechanic, that the work won’t be carried out correctly.

Also I find it hard to believe they didn’t know this fault existed when selling the car. It obviously makes it not fit for use and would have been an MOT failure. I am unsure whether to insist on a dealer repair, or ask for my money back as one side of me thinks if there was one fault, are there others? ( although everything else seemed to fine)

I welcome any advice before I confront them on this matter, so I can be clear in my conversation with them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Scrounger]

Hello Robert. Welcome to the forum.

Firstly, the 2.7 wasn't in production in 2020. The base model came with a 2.0 and the S/GTS models came with a 2.5. Could you clarify which one you have?

Regards your parking brake issue, did you buy it with a warranty? If so I would take it back to the selling dealer to rectify. Ideally the car needs to be plugged into a diagnostic tool to see what's going on. It could be something simple such as the parking brake needs calibrating but the workshop should be able to tell you more. Personally I would take it to a Porsche specialist but see what the technicians say.

Dan

 

[robert.lye]

Hi Dan

Sorry, been a bit concerned about this hence posting in the middle of the night!

It’s actually a 2014, the ‘20’ is on the number plate. It’s base PDK, white.

Yes I have a full warranty and I am hoping, from what I have read, that it is a simple adjustment of the handbrake.

As I said, the car seems sound otherwise, based on 50+ years of driving/riding, car/motorbikes but never owning something this specialised, knowlede is lacking oviously.

Yes my intention was to use a specialist going forward, however I need to give the dealer the opportunity to correct it first.

I am calling them today for an update as Ive not heard since they collected it Monday.

 

[Scrounger]

Hi Robert. If it's under warranty , prosche or otherwise, let them deal with it. If your car is under a Porsche approved warranty be mindful that any work undertaken by a none approved Porsche service centre will invalidate the warranty.

Keep us posted.

Dan

 

[robert.lye]

Update on my original post.

The dealer has called to say the specialist it went to has checked everything from the switch back to the servos, including shoe adjustment, and everything looked fine. However apparently it has had a new battery in the last year but this hadn't been "coded" to the car!
Thats a new one on me, I just thought you replaced the battery and reset the clock!

Anyway the historic faults have been cleared and they are giving it a run today, if alls ok I'll get it back. However they are going to book it in to the local Porsche dealer (Sheffield) for a health check diagnostic.

Suits me as I would have done that anyway but this way its under the warranty so free.

Seems like a decent solution to me overall, any thoughts?

 

[Scrounger]

A low battery voltage can cause all types of issues. The coding of the battery comes with mixed views but personally I’d always do it so the battery management system knows there’s a new on in there.

Hopefully it’s sorted.

Dan.

 

[robert.lye]

Well I’ve got the car back and their guy that dropped it off said it ran fine for the trip back (30 miles) with no warning lights.
Will pop out over the weekend and see what happens and wait for them to get it booked into the Porsche dealer.

Can’t complain at the service so far so fingers crossed it’s either sorted or soon will be.

 

[911hillclimber]

Good to read a successful solution to a Boxster problem!

Hope the weekend trip is a success too!!

 

[robert.lye]

Good to read a successful solution to a Boxster problem!

Hope the weekend trip is a success too!!

Errrm, it’s a Cayman

 

[Motorhead]

Indeed Robert, but the Cayman and Boxster share the same platform, and if you stick around on here you’ll find that cross-posting is very common since many issues are of interest to owners of both cars.

Jeff

 

[911hillclimber]

Yes, a trick I learnt on here some years ago, doubles the 'knowledge pool' and quadruples the chance of me getting advice and solutions. lol
I need all the help I can get...

 

[robert.lye]

Indeed Robert, but the Cayman and Boxster share the same platform, and if you stick around on here you’ll find that cross-posting is very common since many issues are of interest to owners of both cars.

Jeff

Ok I get your point, they’re basically the same car except the roof so yep it makes sense to follow both forums.
Finding that out while reading Brian Longs ‘981 Boxster and Cayman Series’ book, interesting stuff.

After 50+ years as a biker and following numerous mags and forums, car forums are slightly different.

 

[robert.lye]

Hi Robert. If it's under warranty , prosche or otherwise, let them deal with it. If your car is under a Porsche approved warranty be mindful that any work undertaken by a none approved Porsche service centre will invalidate the warranty.

Keep us posted.

Dan

Errm I got it wrong again, ooops, , it is a 2014, but it’s a 64 plate. . . . . I was thinking of my bike on a 20 plate . .. shows how confused you get in your senior years

 

[robert.lye]

Well, continuing sage. The car was returned Friday as I noted above, supposedly ok but they were going to arrange for it to be checked at Porsche dealer.

Well decided to go for a drive today, got in and "Parking Brake Fault" lit up before I even started the car!

Tried turning it on and off, starting and stopping, taking key in and out, tried rolling forward in gear etc etc etc. .

Nothing, it would not release and the brake light fault indicator was flashing away' as was the light on the handbrake switch.

I am totally disillusioned now with the dealer, and to a point, the car to be honest. I have written them an email and basically if it is not fixed ASAP by an OPD, then I want a refund as it is not fit for purpose.

I was so pleased to be able to buy this, but the last two weeks have not been very satisfactory. Two short drives and the rest of the time either at the dealer or stuck on the drive. It seems to be a well documented problem, so why isn't it easier to rectify. Makes me almost wish I went for a 987.

 

[911hillclimber]

Yes, I would be naffed-off with it too.
The 987.2 is a simpler car, but full of issues which need to be fixed, but are simpler to resolve.
Hope you can get this sorted or money back.

 

[Motorhead]

Very disappointing to hear that Robert, but I think your car needs to be examined by a Porsche specialist - either a dealer or Porsche Independent - to resolve the problem since your seller’s techs clearly are unable to get to grips with it. It could either be a mechanical problem or an issue with the handbrake module, and some Porsche-specific diagnostics hopefully will give some guidance.

Can you establish if it’s just a warning or if the handbrake is actually being applied? The handbrake operates independently of the foot brake via expanding brake shoes in the bell of the disc, so you could check if the bell is getting hot after a run.

I appreciate that it’s very frustrating ATM, but I’m sure that once the problem is resolved you’ll enjoy the Cayman driving experience.

Jeff

 

[robert.lye]

Very disappointing to hear that Robert, but I think your car needs to be examined by a Porsche specialist - either a dealer or Porsche Independent - to resolve the problem since your seller’s techs clearly are unable to get to grips with it. It could either be a mechanical problem or an issue with the handbrake module, and some Porsche-specific diagnostics hopefully will give some guidance.

Can you establish if it’s just a warning or if the handbrake is actually being applied? The handbrake operates independently of the foot brake via expanding brake shoes in the bell of the disc, so you could check if the bell is getting hot after a run.

I appreciate that it’s very frustrating ATM, but I’m sure that once the problem is resolved you’ll enjoy the Cayman driving experience.

Jeff

Hi Jeff

I tried to use the car yesterday, but the handbrake would not release at all, hence the car was basically stuck on my drive! This indicates that their tech didn't fix it.

I videoed what happened and sent it to them yesterday afternoon and they replied they accept it s a fault and are trying to get it booked into a local official Porsche dealer, either Sheffield or Leeds, to have it looked at, but that will not be until the end of the week so thats another week lost!

I have told them that I am away from the 1st June and want it sorted before then to my satisfaction, and that I have already drafted a letter requesting a full refund, in line with the Consumer Rights Act 2015, if this doesn't happen.

Although I love the looks and feel of the car, these last couple of weeks have made me very disheartened overall, especially with the anniversary of my wife's passing in a couple of weeks looming. I am sure I will enjoy it, but will I ever trust it again, even if it is fixed??

I have said that if Porsche do/can fix it, I want documented details of what was done and what guarantee/warranty is given, just in case it happens again in the near future.

 

[robert.lye]

Quick update, it’s being collected and taken to Porsche Leeds tomorrow. I’m also going to ask for it to be given a health check to make sure nothing else is lurking.