My '59 plate E89 Z4 has just failed its MOT due to a handbrake warning light (orange). The handbrake is functioning fine, and the garage have run diagnostics but can't find a fault. They've suggested that the BMW main dealer will have a superior diagnostics tool, but given their astonishing pricing, I'd like to avoid that. I was wondering whether this might be a common fault with a common explanation? I'm not technical, so go easy ...
Handbrake warning light
- Thread starter Dawn B
- Start date
tintoverano
Active member
try removing the parking brake fuse, wait couple of seconds - check fuse chart
you can also remove the negative terminal and wait 15 minutes
if these doesn't help, you could set up your own laptop with bmw diag software
you can also remove the negative terminal and wait 15 minutes
if these doesn't help, you could set up your own laptop with bmw diag software
Thanks for the suggestions, neither the fuse or terminal ideas worked so I'm going to need to find someone with better diagnostics than my normal garage! According to his programme, there is no fault and the brakes are all fine: the only thing wrong is the warning light which seems a really pathetic way to fail an MOT but still ... 
tintoverano
Active member
Dawn B said:Thanks for the suggestions, neither the fuse or terminal ideas worked so I'm going to need to find someone with better diagnostics than my normal garage! According to his programme, there is no fault and the brakes are all fine: the only thing wrong is the warning light which seems a really pathetic way to fail an MOT but still ...
I can help you set up a laptop, and you need a K-DCAN cable - if you were into something like this
T1gerchops
New member
I had a similar problem with my 59 plate 2.3.
Tried all the tricks posted here there and youtube.
It happened one cold morning when I lost voltage from my battery. Replaced the battery but was still left with the parking brake warning light and the annoying boing! Everytime I got in the car.
Had to take it to the dealership in the end for a SOFTWARE UPDATE. Been fine ever since.
I took it to Sytner in Newport.
Very surprised at the excellent service and the charge was about £80. They cleaned my Z and I got a chauffeur to take me home whilst they did the job. Very surprised.
Hope this helps .
Tried all the tricks posted here there and youtube.
It happened one cold morning when I lost voltage from my battery. Replaced the battery but was still left with the parking brake warning light and the annoying boing! Everytime I got in the car.
Had to take it to the dealership in the end for a SOFTWARE UPDATE. Been fine ever since.
I took it to Sytner in Newport.
Very surprised at the excellent service and the charge was about £80. They cleaned my Z and I got a chauffeur to take me home whilst they did the job. Very surprised.
Hope this helps .
Smartbear is absolutely correct, I purchased a 2011 23i and it was great when I drove, but when the company PDi'd the car the same fault you are seeing appeared.
Despite me telling them to change the battery and get the software updated they plugged it in to their code readers and started changing stuff such as the wheel speed sensor etc. eventually they gave up and sent it to BMW, guess what new battery and software update fixed the light.
The workshop manager drove the car into the veiwing area when I was at the garage collecting a courtesy car and the handbrake light was on but the thing worked, he looked as confused as hell until I told him what I thought the issue was.
Despite me telling them to change the battery and get the software updated they plugged it in to their code readers and started changing stuff such as the wheel speed sensor etc. eventually they gave up and sent it to BMW, guess what new battery and software update fixed the light.
The workshop manager drove the car into the veiwing area when I was at the garage collecting a courtesy car and the handbrake light was on but the thing worked, he looked as confused as hell until I told him what I thought the issue was.
Fortunately never had a problem with the ebrake, but shortly after i bought my car in 2013, 3 years old i had a software security recall done.
Is there any way to know what software is installed. I wonder if some are missing this recall.
Could it be shown in the secret menu, the one that comes up with random pushing of buttons on the stalk. (can never remember what i did to get there).
Is there any way to know what software is installed. I wonder if some are missing this recall.
Could it be shown in the secret menu, the one that comes up with random pushing of buttons on the stalk. (can never remember what i did to get there).
No idea on what the update included or if you can find out off the menu.
The e-brake issue is appears to be triggered by a low battery which is why its almost a double fix of a new battery and software update.
The e-brake issue is appears to be triggered by a low battery which is why its almost a double fix of a new battery and software update.
A
Anonymous
Guest
You need a coding tool to see what version of the s/w is loaded into the ecu’s the only exception is the bluetooth revision level which can be seen via a menu in the car..
