Electric Parking Brake Explained: How It Works and Why Rear Brake Jobs Need Service Mode
About this video
Does your car have an electric parking brake button instead of a handle or pedal? Then a rear brake job is not the same as it used to be. In this video, an ASE certified mechanic explains why car manufacturers switched to electric parking brakes, shows where the switch and the rear caliper motors are located, and demonstrates how to put the electric parking brake into service mode so you can replace the rear brake pads without damaging anything.
SAFETY FIRST
Always support the vehicle on jack stands on level ground and chock the front wheels, because once the electric parking brake is in service mode it will not hold the car. Never unplug an EPB motor or push the caliper piston back while the system is applied, and always exit service mode and test the parking brake and the brake pedal before driving.
WHAT WE COVER
Why manufacturers switched from a handle or foot pedal to an electric parking brake
Where the EPB switch is located and what the auto hold button does
Where the electric motors sit on the rear calipers and how they drive the piston
How the parking brake control module applies and releases the brake
Why you cannot simply push the rear caliper piston back like on older cars
Putting the EPB in service mode or maintenance mode with a scan tool
Manual service mode methods that some vehicles allow using the switch and ignition
Retracting the caliper, replacing the rear pads, and inspecting the rotors
Exiting service mode, running the apply and calibration, and resetting pad thickness on vehicles that require it
Testing the parking brake after the job
WHY MANUFACTURERS SWITCHED TO ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKES
More space in the center console
Auto hold at stoplights and automatic apply when you shut the car off
Hill start assist and automatic release when you drive away
Emergency braking when you hold the switch while moving
Integration with adaptive cruise control stop and go and self parking systems
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU FORCE THE PISTON BACK
Stripped gears or a damaged spindle inside the caliper motor
A caliper or motor that needs to be replaced
Parking brake warning light and fault codes
A parking brake that will not apply or will not release
SYMPTOMS AND WARNING MESSAGES
Electric parking brake warning light, the yellow circle P symbol, or the red BRAKE light
Service Parking Brake, Electric Park Brake Fault, or Park Brake Malfunction messages
Parking brake that will not release, or releases on only one side
Grinding or whirring noise from the rear wheels when applying the brake
Auto hold or hill start assist not working
RELATED FAULT CODES
EPB actuator motor circuit, position, and calibration codes that vary by make, C0561 system disabled information stored, and U0128 lost communication with the park brake control module.
Electric parking brakes are used on many vehicles, including Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Land Rover, and Tesla. The service mode steps change from one vehicle to the next, but the concept and the safety rules are the same.
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