Electronic Parking Brake Failure

[jmb]

I forgot to post back here- mine had this last year, and again, a full charge and a software update fixed it.
Interestingly, they updated the software on all the modules so it also fixed an annoying distortion when playing from a USB stick in the armrest (I don't have the screen and stuff) so that was a nice change.
However, I've recently been having a warning bong with the car on ramp symbol (started another thread) but no other warnings, and occasionally still see low battery... so something not quite right still.

 

[enzed4]

I'm interested in a local E89 3.0i (2009 - private sale) and took it for a test drive a few weeks ago. When the owner first fired it up he said 'oh, haven't seen that before' and it was the e-brake warning. The brake still seemed to work ok despite the warning symbol. He said he would take it to the local garage and get it fixed before selling it, but I wonder if it needed more than that (ie, the software update)? I haven't been in contact with him since, but might follow up on it to see what the fault was.

 

[jmb]

Would be interesting to see if anyone has had the same problem after the update? My assumption is the update lets the e-brake "tolerate" a low battery situation without going wrong but I guess I'll know for sure if mine does it again...

 

[vtec96]

I am having this same issue today.. :-(
I had this issue before and the dealer updated the software already and everything seems fine during summer time.

I didn't drive my Z4 for 3 weeks now and today I took it out for a car wash. While I was waiting in the line, I shut off the car and the battery warning sign came up so I was like.."I know I know...I didn't drive it for 3 weeks already!"
But after car wash, the Parking/ebrake warning sign (Yellow P) came up and my ebrake is stuck.........
My car was stuck in the wash bay for 15 min and then I gave up. Locked the car and walked outside to call for help.
When I came back after 10 min, I started the car one more time, and the warning yellow P was still on but at least the brake is now released.

I don't even know if I should bring it back to dealer because they will not be able to replicate the problem :thumbsdown:

 

[Mr Tidy]

I don't even know if I should bring it back to dealer because they will not be able to replicate the problem :thumbsdown:

Assuming you bought it from them, I'd take it back - the fault code should be stored on the On Board Diagnostics.

 

[BMW4LIFE2019]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry to revive an old but I recently had the ill fate of the E89 electronic E-Brake failure and over the past few weeks I have been pulling my hair out without finding any resolution for this problem.

Well im happy to say that I managed to resolve this issue at home by downloading the latest E89 Daten files on Winfpk and succesfully uploading the update onto the Z4 EMF module.

If anyone else does not feel like paying BMW £250 to do this please contact me for instructions.

 

[enzed4]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry to revive an old but I recently had the ill fate of the E89 electronic E-Brake failure and over the past few weeks I have been pulling my hair out without finding any resolution for this problem.

Well im happy to say that I managed to resolve this issue at home by downloading the latest E89 Daten files on Winfpk and succesfully uploading the update onto the Z4 EMF module.

If anyone else does not feel like paying BMW £250 to do this please contact me for instructions.

So it was basically a software update that fixed it?
I notice in the used car ads online now, second hand electric cars are promoted with 'latest software update', 'new firmware' etc. I guess it shows the way cars are going when the software's more important than the mechanical bits. :?

 

[Smartbear]

I think the original software is flaky when the battery voltage falls below optimum levels & the update is able to continue operating despite this, it’s a shame bmw doesn’t treat this as a recall but instead charges like a wounded rhinoceros to fix it instead :x
Rob

 

[Maybach_man]

Just for reference...don't know if it tells anybody anything...but have just had a lot of low battery issues that have been going on for a few months and has resulted in 3 days of tests at Sytners and a new battery. I had no issues with the handbrake at any time.

 

[Nictrix]

Just for reference...don't know if it tells anybody anything...but have just had a lot of low battery issues that have been going on for a few months and has resulted in 3 days of tests at Sytners and a new battery. I had no issues with the handbrake at any time.

Maybe this only affected earlier cars

 

[Angie4m]

Just for reference...don't know if it tells anybody anything...but have just had a lot of low battery issues that have been going on for a few months and has resulted in 3 days of tests at Sytners and a new battery. I had no issues with the handbrake at any time.

Maybe this only affected earlier cars

Possibly earlier cars only and basically it happened when the battery was almost dead. There is low and there is very low to the point it is touch and go if it’ll start or not. The error advises that it’s a wheel speed sensor fault. After I had the update made, even with a low battery to the point where I had to jump it cause it hadn’t been used in a couple of months it was fine.

Still a flaky bit of software initially developed by BMW and a right pain in jacksie.

 

[degenatron]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry to revive an old but I recently had the ill fate of the E89 electronic E-Brake failure and over the past few weeks I have been pulling my hair out without finding any resolution for this problem.

Well im happy to say that I managed to resolve this issue at home by downloading the latest E89 Daten files on Winfpk and succesfully uploading the update onto the Z4 EMF module.

If anyone else does not feel like paying BMW £250 to do this please contact me for instructions.

I'm not able to contact the poster directly, maybe they'll monitor the thread or someone else can confirm the method for the update?

Get 'Daten' files from here (2017, 4.5GB):
https://mega.nz/#!V0dWRBLS!Ov5i3Xxql0hcjWd6nleWdGP527g8df3Xo2wUSAdq-z8

Install WinKFP from here:
https://mega.nz/#!kAASwa7I!AJLVnnEBwLgzDPzBeQ4uQo60p1lbU2BsZofE-TBYGmk

Import the downloaded Daten into WinKFP using this method:
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=325801&d=1337480801

Using an OBD cable that works with INPA, flash the aforementioned EMF module as in this process:
https://ncs-expert.com/winkfp-software-quick-guide

The lesson here is to get your car updated! (mine is a 60-reg, battery voltage dipped to 11.9V in the cold weather)
While we're at it, is it worth updating any other modules? Clearly this is an isolated case that safety critical equipment becomes unusable after something as mundane as low battery voltage...!

 

[jmb]

I've sold mine now, but I never had another problem with the brake after the update, even when I had battery warnings after periods of not using it.
They did a full update and it also fixed distortion playing music from a USB drive!

 

[flybobbie]

Perhaps the DVLA should be informed of this safety critical issue and force BMW into a call back for free upgrade when the problem occurs. As this serves as the emergency brake.

 

[Smartbear]

Perhaps the DVLA should be informed of this safety critical issue and force BMW into a call back for free upgrade when the problem occurs. As this serves as the emergency brake.

Bmw would avoid having to do this by saying that normal braking is unaffected by the handbrake issue I should imagine? :?
Rob

 

[flybobbie]

I am assuming the emergency brake is a legal requirement, therefore it has to be designed not to fail. Ok wear and tear and bad adjustment is beyond BMW control, but the responsibility of the owner, but not software based control where it could be said the average owner or garage can't fix. I'm sure Boeing or Airbus would take responsibility if a software bug was causing their planes to crash. Can't see this is any different. Bad software is no different to bad airbag design.

My business partners Zed was a Friday afternoon car, as soon as the e-brake failed to engage, the next day she part exchanged for a Merc. She had had enough of the car. Been to BMW so many times it must (?) have had all the software updated.

 

[Smartbear]

I am assuming the emergency brake is a legal requirement, therefore it has to be designed not to fail. Ok wear and tear and bad adjustment is beyond BMW control, but the responsibility of the owner, but not software based control where it could be said the average owner or garage can't fix. I'm sure Boeing or Airbus would take responsibility if a software bug was causing their planes to crash. Can't see this is any different. Bad software is no different to bad airbag design.

My business partners Zed was a Friday afternoon car, as soon as the e-brake failed to engage, the next day she part exchanged for a Merc. She had had enough of the car. Been to BMW so many times it must (?) have had all the software updated.

There is a big difference in your comparison with planes crashing, a defective handbrake won’t cause the car to crash as normal braking is unaffected.
It’s more of an annoying inconvenience than a life or death safety issue & that’s why there’s been no safety recall.
Rob

 

[eejlny]

Thanks for the instructions and files. I guess this is dangerous and the ECU could get thrashed with this update ? I am debating if taking into the dealer or doing the update myself.

 

[flybobbie]

I am assuming the emergency brake is a legal requirement, therefore it has to be designed not to fail. Ok wear and tear and bad adjustment is beyond BMW control, but the responsibility of the owner, but not software based control where it could be said the average owner or garage can't fix. I'm sure Boeing or Airbus would take responsibility if a software bug was causing their planes to crash. Can't see this is any different. Bad software is no different to bad airbag design.

My business partners Zed was a Friday afternoon car, as soon as the e-brake failed to engage, the next day she part exchanged for a Merc. She had had enough of the car. Been to BMW so many times it must (?) have had all the software updated.

There is a big difference in your comparison with planes crashing, a defective handbrake won’t cause the car to crash as normal braking is unaffected.
It’s more of an annoying inconvenience than a life or death safety issue & that’s why there’s been no safety recall.
Rob

The ebrake is a legal required alternative to the normal brakes, should application through the foot pedal fail.
Lets face it, if it didn't work it would fail a mot. If it's faulty by design, ie the software is the weak point because it can corrupt, no different to corrupt software not firing off the air bags, which i assume would involve a call back.
Did you know the first fly by wire Airbus had five computers, with 3 out of 5 had to agree before an output was given.
Problem was Airbus wanted five separate organisations to write software so any cliches didn't happen to all five computers. Also they didn't want the software writers all coming from the same Uni or lecturers that may introduce a common error or wacky idea.
So i wonder how many people are involved in BMW software design.

 

[degenatron]

Could someone with the ability PM the user above "BMW4LIFE2019" and ask to post a few more details. What cable did they use, and are the links I posted above relevant at all?
I'm not having much luck trying with a k/dcan cable from BMcables.