audijim113

On my previous car, (05 A8), I chased a multi-symptom problem ABS, ESP, speedo, and Park brake for a year, finally having ABS controller fixed. I did that myself but on current car, (06 A8L) I didn't want to mess with the rear brakes. I don't have a VAG com and i'm getting too old for this **** so I took it to a guy who has done suspension, etc stuff on every Audi I've owned going back to a 5000S. He is not an Audi guy but probably the best front end / brake guy in town. He is reasonable and also let's me buy parts and he installs. (I got zimmerman rotors and Akebono pads from FCP).
He used a computer to open rear calipers. I don't know whether VAGCom or what.

Then I took a 5 day trip (1,500 miles) and no problem. Brakes worked fine and still do. During trip, I heard the brakes "cycle" once after parking and walking towards restaurant. It's my belief they do this periodically to calibrate and or measure themselves. (Anyone who can enlighten me with specifics on this, please chime in).

Anyhow, I'm back from trip 2 weeks and 400-500 mile more. Brakes still good and bingo, along with parking bulb warning which I've been ignoring because my hand is too big, the Park brake warning symbol appears on dash. (No CEL, just the "P" in a circle with a lightning bolt) Also, had none of the other Christmas tree warning lights that were on the 05 and especially not the obnoxious, long beep for the parking brake.

Stopped by the shop today and he used computer to apply the brakes. It didn't work and came up with error "no voltage". Initially, we both thought it might mean the cost of a new caliper/motor. I hadn't tried flipping the level for fear it would cause more errors. At the shop, I tried it and brakes worked, no error warning. Everything's working fine.

My question: Do you operate your parking brake once in a while? Ever? I never use mine. It's just a chrome decoration on the console. I wasn't really worried that it didn't work. I just didn't want to look at the error for fear it might get worse. Should I put it on once in a while like we all used to do with a mechanical parking brake so the cable didn't rust up?

Mister Bally

I use mine all the time. Had a electric motor seize due to low use. Took it apart and flooded it with WD-40. Has worked great for four years. I set it whenever I park ever since.

Greg5OH

The car will cycle them by itself time to time, so even if you dont use it enough, one time the car will apply them find its seized and throw a code. happened to us on our honey moon road trim. If it seizes closed you can remove the motor with a T37 or T30 bit (dont remebr size), and use a T40 to manually wind the claiper back. Pull the two 30 amp fuses position 8 and 9 in the battery compartmenet fuse box to stop it from beeping like crazy non stop.

audijim113

I've decided to put it on, but tend to forget. Now if i could just get a reminder, perhaps an "apply park brake" light every 1,000 miles or so.