Parking brake failure light-update

[robert.lye]

Well it’s now been looked over by Porsche and although they adjusted the handbrake shoes properly, said they were worn and really should be replaced.
Supplying dealer has agreed to pay for this, (which I never doubted otherwise), and with a clear sheet on the health check, I’m looking forward to getting it back late next week.

 

[Motorhead]

Fingers crossed that will deal with the issue Robert and that you’re good to go and enjoy your new purchase next week … at last!

Jeff

 

[robert.lye]

Well an Update on this problem. I got the car back from Porsche Leeds last Wednesday after they had replaced all the rear brakes, (discs/shoes/springs etc) with the invoice saying "parking brake fault fix permanently" !

Took it out briefly Thursday for a run to the shop no problem.

Had my sister and brother in law up and today we were gong from my home (Wakefield) to near Blackpool to se my niece. I was following them and got to Manchester (55 miles from home) and, guess what, up popped "parking brake fault, stop/start disabled" ! WTF !!! So I had to call my sister to say I am turning around to go back home and also to apologise to my niece who had arranged things for us.

Note the dealer I bought the car off of paid out over £1100 for this work so he is pretty annotyed. Myself I have had the car four weeks, of which 2,5 weeks have been back to the dealer or Porsche, and have managed only two outings with it, once to the Motorist and once to a friend in Sheffield. Both time the fault manifests itself and then today thinking it was all sorted by the OPD, (I actually chatted to 2 techs at the open night who said it would be fine) to find that its still there.

Annoyed doesn't begin to describe how I'm currently feeling, about the only good thing was that sitting at 72mph on the m62 on CC, indicated a mpg of 44.

I am tempted to get a refund or do I give Porsche one more chance as I love the car otherwise and everything else is fine but do I trust it???

 

[Scrounger]

Sorry to hear of your troubles Robert. The 'stop/start disabled' would lead me to think the battery voltage is low as this does throw some very strange warning messages. Are you able to check the battery voltage on the MFD?

Dan

 

[Motorhead]

+1 on Dan’s suggestion Robert, although I’d be inclined to get it checked properly by a battery supplier, many of which will do it FOC.

Like many modern cars with their complex electrical systems it’s important to keep the battery in tip-top condition, using a battery conditioner if you can even when the car’s not being used for a short period. Even a slightly flaky battery sometimes can throw-up what may seem random and puzzling warning lights and error messages, so let’s hope that’s what is happening with your car.

Obviously you like the car, so I’d be inclined to keep at it until the problem is resolved; and at least your supplying dealer is on-side … ATM!

Good luck!

Jeff

 

[robert.lye]

Hi Scrounger/Motorhead

I had the MFD showing engine specs while driving and the voltage was running around 13v, nope it’s not on a trickle charger although my Harley is, as have been all my bikes in recent years.

Everything else appears to work fine with no problems, and like I said above, the engine seems smooth and economical with no hiccups.

They’ve just collected it to take it back to Leeds Porsche on Monday and will be going in to discuss the problem.

I am away tomorrow to my place in France for a couple of weeks (luckily having another car) and have told them I’ll wait to hear, but any further problems and it’s nothing less than a full refund.

 

[robert.lye]

Hi all

Just a quick update on the issue.

I am in France presently but checked in with the dealer where I got the car.

He confirmed getting the same symptoms/problems I was getting or fault light/handbrake not working etc. when he took the car from me.

Well apparently they have been told by Porsche Leeds it needs a new handbrake control module and two motors (I assume they mean servos) and that will cost £2k !

Seller is now negotiating to try and get a contribution as the last ‘fix’ was stated as a permanent solution on the invoice.

Lucky I am at my place abroad and don’t need it but it’s very frustrating.

 

[robert.lye]

Well I’m back from my place in France all rested and ready for the car to be returned tomorrow.

All the last mentioned parts have been replaced and dealer taken the car for ”an extended test run” (there goes most of a tank of E5!) and all was well.

 

[Motorhead]

Fingers crossed it all goes well tomorrow Robert and that it’s the end of the matter so you can at last enjoy driving the car … without receiving any pesky error messages!

Jeff

 

[911hillclimber]

Just a thought.
How do you 'wear-out' handbrake shoes?
Today, the device is usually engaged when the car is stationary so the friction materials and brake drum do not rub against each other just compress against each other?

I only apply the hand brake on all my cars with a manual brake an hour before any MoT to remove rust etc off the contact areas as the MoT treats the device as an Emergency Brake to deploy if the brake system totally fails.

Maybe hand brake systems are used in another way on the modern cars?

 

[robert.lye]

Fingers crossed it all goes well tomorrow Robert and that it’s the end of the matter so you can at last enjoy driving the car … without receiving any pesky error messages!

Jeff

Jeff

Got it back as promised.

dealer I purchased from collected and had a couple of drives over the weekend with no problem.

I’ve have two short local trips (so pleased to get it back), after washing it of course, included a supermarket shop trip and alls well so far. Hoping for a longer trip in the next day or so.

 

[Motorhead]

Jolly good! Sounds promising.

Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

Just a thought.
How do you 'wear-out' handbrake shoes?
Today, the device is usually engaged when the car is stationary so the friction materials and brake drum do not rub against each other just compress against each other?

I only apply the hand brake on all my cars with a manual brake an hour before any MoT to remove rust etc off the contact areas as the MoT treats the device as an Emergency Brake to deploy if the brake system totally fails.

Maybe hand brake systems are used in another way on the modern cars?

Good point Graham.

I use the “proper” handbrake on both my manual gearbox cars all the time when I’m driving, out of habit really from when I passed my test decades ago … think: stop; handbrake on; out of gear!

I’m not sure that drivers of cars with auto transmissions ever use the handbrake these days, especially when they’re of the electronic variety. One of my pet hates is being blinded by brake lights when sitting behind drivers with their foot planted permanently on the brake pedal when stationary, especially at night! Can’t manufactures come up with a module that turns off the brake lights when the rear parking sensors recognise a stationary car behind?

I was under the impression that on the MOT the handbrake is applied and the roller is then activated just to load the brake to make sure that it’s working rather than to verify that it can be used as an emergency brake as such, but maybe I’m wrong?

Jeff