[stuartn01]

I've got a 2006 C-Max Ghia and just over a week ago had the rear brake pads and discs replaced. One week later I've had a "Total EPB Failure" resulting in having to get the AA out to release the stuck brakes.

From reading earlier forums, it appears this can be caused by the garage not recalibrating the EPB but having called the garage, they advised that the brakes don't need recalibrated and are quoting £800 for a new handbrake motor.

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[athonycmax]

Hi stuartn01, sorry to hear of your EPB failure, firstly I've never heard of calibrating the brakes!!! to my knowledge if a new EPB unit is fitted it has to be programmed to the car but as far as replacing disc's & pads are concerned its just basic stuff which I've personally done, the only thing I can think of is the mechanic who replaced your disc's & pads applied the EPB first before pressing the footbrake first to bed the pads on the disc's & this has caused an issue with the EPB unit or your really unlucky & its just failed by coincidence!!

 

[stuartn01]

Thanks athonycmax. I'm resignng myself to having to fork out for a new motor unfortunately.

 

[Big Budgie]

Yet another piece of modern technological wizardry which should never have made it off the drawing board! Anybody remember "Automatic chokes" and the deluge of manual adapter kits which followed closely behind? More and more cars now appear to have this piece of junk instead of a proper handbrake. The question which begs to be asked is "WHY?" Surely we all learned how to do hill starts and performed them to the satisfaction of the examiner when we passed our tests.
At least Ford have given up fitting it to the CMax. The 2010 model I tested had a proper handbrake. I do recall the salesman telling me that it had something called "Hill start assist" whatever that is. I just used the handbrake the way I always have. After all, that's what it's for isn't it? It's only the Yanks who call it a "Parking brake" when all is said and done. What would you sooner spend? £15 or so for a new handbrake cable, or £800 for the electric thingy?
What I would do is find out if it's possible to ditch the bloody thing and fit a proper handbrake instead. ( Ford C-Max Handbrake Lever Assembly | eBay )
It would be a **** of a lot cheaper, especially if you can source the parts from a breakers. It may even enhance the value of the vehicle when you come to sell it.

 

[Richard G]

Yet another piece of modern technological wizardry which should never have made it off the drawing board! Anybody remember "Automatic chokes" and the deluge of manual adapter kits which ......

Oh the days of the dreaded Ford V V carburettor as fitted to 1980's Pinto engines

The Vauxhall ones were somewhat better and at least didn't cause so many obvious problems

 

[stuartn01]

Interesting suggestion Big Budgie. Has anyone tried doing this?

I'm guessing there would be a few obstacles to overcome - the centre console will be different bit I can't imaging that would be insurmountable, but the electronics is a different matter. By disabling the EPB would the car's "brain" think there was an issue and continue to falsh up warning messages ann noises?

 

[bottletree]

Yes I must admit I dread to think what will happen and at what costs it will be when the EPB fails. I don't like it and definitely prefer the proper handbrake.

 

[Redders1811]

I've got a 2006 C-Max Ghia and just over a week ago had the rear brake pads and discs replaced. One week later I've had a "Total EPB Failure" resulting in having to get the AA out to release the stuck brakes.

From reading earlier forums, it appears this can be caused by the garage not recalibrating the EPB but having called the garage, they advised that the brakes don't need recalibrated and are quoting £800 for a new handbrake motor.

Has anyone else had this problem?

I replaced my left rear caliper,and had the screech and Total EPB Failure,and Handbrake seized on. I tried everything to sort it,doing a hard reset by taking the negative off the battery, and following everything on Ford Focus' Forums. Had the issue for 3 weeks,putting it in 1st gear, and holding the EPB button down for 10 seconds. Then one day I just got out the car,and the bloody handbrake came on,and it's been perfect since. No idea how or why it's working, can only think resetting the module numerous times using Forscan helped,but for now,I'm out of the Total EPB Failure