Since you mentioned it, I just did a review on that tool. The MK808 has the electric braking option. If viewers go to my channel they get a $40 off coupon plus another 10% off if they use a code listed in my description box for a price of $480. (Sorry for the selfless plug). Just trying to same some people some money. :)
@@VWWRENCHIE I'm a DIY'er (below average) and a scan tool would be a big help, BUT is there a yearly subscription needed to use the scan tool? Would I be able to use it right out of the box ? I understand about updating and keeping the info current, but is it needed in order for the scan tool to work? Thanks for the info !!
Hey Wyatt, look up Ross Tech VCDS they do a few different versions seems to be the go to tool for VAG stuff, think the software is free updates and they do “enthusiast” versions too.
I like when the customer makes the wheel lock accessible, by leaving it in the cup holder or giving it to the service writer. Also, leaving it in the 2 obvious places, glove compartment or trunk. I hate having to rip the car apart for it. I had customers leave the lock at home while the car is in the shop, duh.
The DIY way without a scantool: You can take the motor off (two bolts) Once removed there's a T40 in the caliper that normally gets rotated by the motor. Turn it clockwise roughly 2 turns and the piston is free to move back. Then just put it all together and just use the parkingbrake so the computer will relearn when the piston is fully extended. That's all.
I recently did a rear brake job for a friend on a Passat. You can do them at home easily by disconnecting the motor and feed 12 volts in the pins with two jumper wires and DVOM probes. Just try both polarities and figure out which pin needs to get positive in order to retract the parking brake mecanism. Not really the most time efficient method but it gets the job done.
On my sons Ford. You have to make sure the car is off, push accelerator to the floor while pressing the EPBS (electronic parking break switch) for 5 seconds, turn the key to accessories for 5 seconds. You should hear the breaks go into "maintenance mode" . Then turn the key to off. No scan tool required
@@jasonw8124 My pet peeve too Jason. "We had to take a "brake" from driving because the breaks on the car went out. "There" taking them over "their" to get "they're" breaks fixed. LOL
VCDS/Odis are must have to in any VAG shop. Using some chinese noname junk is the best way to black out ECUs or/and miss half of the errors in memory. If you work with VAG you now how to change parking brake pads without any computer tool.
I unplug the connector and apply 12v to the brake motor. Change polarity to release or apply. I built a tool that used Milwaukee battery packs to quickly release brakes, then you cycle the e-brake when finished.
This is what I have been doing for years. I have a 12V Power Supply that is used almost exclusively for this as a DIY'er for many friends and family. I do have a scan tool that can do this now but as I'm accustomed to using the power supply that is what I still do.
My snap on scanner don’t have that brakes service feature so I do what you do I use have a gator clip and the dewalt battery to release the caliper don’t need a expensive scan tool
@@punkrocker10115 I think, it is you who is lacking the understanding of how electricity works. Lemme educate you, free of charge. Electrical items DRAW power from the source. You can connect 12V 999999999999999Ah battery to the 12V 5W T5 bulb and you will not burn it.
Thank you for not being a DB lol. I have a probably 20k in scantools... I don't charge extra just because I bought them. I more appreciate my customers for sticking with me so I can afford them lol
I have to tell you Eric, the amount of patience that you have in your videos is amazing. To have the amount of patience that you have truly shows the experience that you have. People in your town are lucky to have a mechanic like you.
I think it's terrible that on these modern cars you can't even do your own rear brakes anymore due to the addition of these electronic parking brakes. I swear the engineers/designers add these systems to force the DIYer to have to bring their cars back to the dealership. This channel educates us all BEFORE we buy a car so we will know what we're in for if we buy these models. Great video.
Nothing to do with being a European all these electronic devices are to pave the way for stop-start and "autonomous" vehicles. Spoiler alert there is no way the authorities in any country are going to let autonomous vehicles be serviced outside the dealer chain.
Usually just trash, every so often you have to move around interesting things, one lady was a “photographer” and had a ton of toys and lingerie in her back suv hatch
brian willoughby I to have found guns but recently I was removing an engine cover on a Chevy work van and found what appeared to be used needles and burnt spoons. I think we all know what that’s for. It’s none of my business so I just look past it and do my job.
Being a mechanic myself and doing many of these same repairs on a daily basis; I really enjoy watching another mechanic's thought processes both with troubleshooting and also which tools they choose to use. Watching these videos, I learn a great deal about new and different tools as well as the process that you follow to get it done. There's many ways to attack a problem. The more options the better. Thanks for sharing!
Another fun fact about the EPB is if your battery goes below a certain voltage whilst going in or out of service mode it will kill the EPB module. Thanks VW . And thank you Mr O :-)
Hey a handy tip for those connectors: Push them in a little with the tab pushed down before you start trying to pull them out, it makes them way easier.
Eric you are a hell of a mechanic, super pro, fair and honest, I think I can count your breed with one single hand...not too many out there. A "mechanic" wanted to charge me 1500$ + parts to fix my '12 Hyundai Santa Fe's steering rack stiffness, it turned out to be only a matter of a couple of oil flushes after some good old seafoam trans tune cleaner, 100$ and three oil flushes later good as new!
There are many electronic scan tools made now that allow you to do brakes. They range from ones designed only to disengage the brake system for Audis and Volkswagons Ancel VD500,which is $54.99 on amazon right now, all the way to the Autel MaxiCheck Pro, which while not as fancy as the 808, should do everything a DIY guy, like me, needs for $226.00 also on Amazon. PS. Love the videos.
@@nc6826 no, the electric motor will run until it pinches ... when there is a certain electrical resistance, the computer knows that the parking brake is applied ... it has no memory of where it was applied last..because the brake pads wear, and if it had memory as you said, then you would not have any parking brake after a while
if its only 2 wires its likely a dc motor with a gearbox. pig tail with a small battery will likely release the break in one polarity and tighten the other.
That's what I've been doing on late-model Volvos. Works just fine, and I haven't had a comeback. And yes I have a scan tool capable of retracting the parking brakes on those cars - it's just faster to do it manually. Time is money!
Didnt read all the comments but you can reset the parking brake manually. You have to unplug it. Remove the motor from the caliper and then turn the caliper where the motor would be until it stops. Then you can push the piston back without crushing the parking mechanism. I just did this on a 2011 bmw in the driveway.....enough bout that. Love your videos. Keep up the great work
Eric, thank you for being an honest mechanic. seems to me, there’s not many of them left in the world. Everybody thinks about how they can make roast money and not be concerned for the customer. You go above and beyond which I myself appreciate. Question for you, how many different skin tools do you have? You seem to have many different ones based on your videos. Have you ever done a video, or would you consider doing a video comparing them all? Do you know if there is a Bluetooth scan tool which will do by directional functionality like the launch that works with Apple iOS devices? I ask, because I am legally blind, and I use voiceover to have my iPhone talk to me for things I cannot read. I like doing my own work on vehicles, but I cannot justify spending a lot of money on a scan tool. You recently demonstrated a launch scan tool which was not that highly priced, but it worked with an android device. Looking for something similar that will work with an Apple product because the accessibility features on Apple products are better than what is available from the android line. Again, thank you for putting out quality videos. You seem to have a good business, and a nice family. You can be proud of yourself. And you deserve a lot of credit.
@@Andy-ir1sj I can't stand these IDIOTS that are always giving the thumbs down. I would love to bring a good sized ball peen hammer down on both their thumbs. Want to whine about something--you got it.
@@KStewart-th4sk , the 40 people who gave it the thumbs down attempted to do their own brakes, didn't have a proper scan tool, had the piston fall out of the caliper and had to pay to have the car towed to the dealer for expensive repairs.
As a VW owner, I am used to this process, a scan tool is the best way. There are economical, VW specific, scan tools that will access all of the necessary functions. Some of them are sub $100 like OBDeleven or Carista. NIce work Dr. O. Do be careful with the voltage, I have heard of people bricking the parking brake module when the voltage drops too low. It is recommended that you have a battery charger connected during the brake service to prevent bricking the module.
i did on a Vw Tiguan unplugged the connecter and jump a battery in reverse polarity to retract the piston, My Chrysler 200 2015 has EPB also but there is an option in the radio to put it in service mode
I did the same job yesterday on my 98 Explorer. I tried to follow the Eric O. guidelines: 1. Cleaned caliper and all mating surfaces with a die grinder. 2. Removed some brake fluid from the reservoir. 3. Applied brake grease to all metal to metal contact surfaces minus the brake hardware surface for the pads. 4. Lubricated the mounting pins judiciously. 5. Fluid film to the hub. 6. Tightened all bolts to factory spec. 7. Test drive after pumping the brake pedal. This is the same 98 Explorer I replaced all the brake lines and hoses on. I'm learning a lot from your videos!
Hello SMAR! I’m one of the home gamers and l just changed the rotors and pads onna new atlas recently. I bought a scanner to unlock the electronic parking brake and it failed to do so and l was left stumped for a long minute. Being as the dealership was two hours away and not to be deterred, l did some research. l had to manually release the parking brake, and then proceeded as usual. It worked just fine and l will attest that there is not alot of room around that particular vehicle. I have been a long time and always enjoy watching your videos and keep up the great work good sir!
Haven't watched the video yet - but i just wanted to say that i think you do based on the following scenario: I had a tech in my shop attempt to retract the calipers on an audi by using a power probe.. It worked and retracted the caliper piston and all seemed well and good. He put the pads in, reinstalled the caliper and put everything back together. He got in the car and turned the key on - the car must have done a brake self check at that moment and 10 seconds later was a loud crunching sound... The caliper pistons were destroyed and the calipers were very expensive (i cant remember how much, but it was over $1000 each). Im thinking the calipers have a position sensor in them based off the brake module and without retracting the calipers by scan tool - the module thought the pistons were in a different position and tried to extend the pistons back to the original position and destroyed themselves. Ill have to watch the video later and see what you have to say - but i did want to throw that out there. it may have been a fluke thing (or he did something incorrectly, but anything is possible with the tech on cars these days!
i've had audi's, land rovers, and VWs. i've used the power probe technique on all of them. never had an issue. i always just hopped in the car afterwards, pushed the E brake button and you can hear the calipers tighten up to the pads. never any issues.
car off, unplug caliper, apply 12v to run back electric motor, replace whatever needs to be done, put back together, jump in the car and immediately hit E brake. no turning on car.
Do you remember what car it was? I don’t think the calipers are that expensive. You need to replace them quite often. Big problem with these seems to be that the parking brake part of caliper cracks (plastic part in cold temperatures) and allows water to get in and then it can even burn out the control unit.
Watching your videos is what made me decide to get the Autel 906 I have 5 kids and partners who drive my work van and my parents cars and my brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces I’ve had it a month found an identified a freelander nsr speed sensor issue. Injector wiring issue on another vehicle ( initially they thought it was an injector) and trying to sort an airbag fault on my van and also looking at an over pressure boost issue on another car. So although it was expensive I’m already on the way to making it pay for itself in savings... So thanks to you and Mrs O for your time and effort that you put into your videos and for allowing us to come along for the ride.
There is a simple work around for DIY'rs. Remove the electronic parking brake motors, throw them in a river and then carry an old brick to jam under the tire as the new parking brake. Peice of cake!
:))) or hardwood blocks with rope attached, then you can pull while sitting in vehicle after taking pressure off. also one of the way s they held manual drag race cars years ago, 2nd person would yank the block as tree was coming down or flag drop
There is an option to take the back of the electric caliper off and rewind by hand. There is a torx fitting on the back of the caliper and as you turn it this winds the caliper back in. This is how I did mine with no ill effects. Adds about 10 mins to each side. As soon as you reactivate the parking brake it will fully wind against the pads and disc as normal.
I sincerely wish we had a mechanic of your quality and integrity in our town. I am so tired of getting scammed, ripped off and overcharged by auto repair shops. All I ask for is an honest quote and a quality repair and I am willing to pay for it. I am not a mechanic, but my solution to this dilemma was to buy a basic good little truck that was as simple as I could find. I bought a 2005 Ford Ranger 4cyl, 5 speed manual, no air con, no cruise control, no power windows, no fancy electronic stuff of any kind. I bought some cheap Husky tools at home depot and a big Ranger repair manual from ebay. I am 66 years old and I have never worked on cars before so it took my arthritic back 3 hours to change the front brakes on my Ranger, (many pauses for refreshment -- a young guy could probably do it in 20 minutes). New high quality Bosch rotors and pads for $110 from rockauto. Astonishingly simple and doable. A shop here probably would have raped me for $300 - $400. Now the car companies want to block out DIYers through electronics. Greed not goodness.
As I am not a mechanic nor a vw owner. This video was awesome and full of information. Had no idea they wheel studs huh weird stuff. Your channel is better then any primetime tv show. Keep them coming Dr O !
I read in another forum that someone changed an window winder switch in a late model ford, and for the new one to work it had to be initialised using a scan tool after installation.
Some vehicles have a maintenance mode. Just Look it up for your vehicle. Hold a certain button and press another three times while holding your left foot out the window sort of thing. Like turning off the seatbelt reminder.
I don't know of any workaround for vw/audi, but you can do it without a scanner of MB and FCA. On Mercedes, put display on odometer/trip, then turn off and remove the key. Put the key in, turn it to the first detent, and press and hold the "phone" and "ok" buttons on the steering wheel. It will open a hidden submenu with options for brake pad replacement and service reset. On FCA stuff, there is a pad replacement option in the infotainment system under settings, in the vehicle tab, IIRC.
Thank you for that valuable information!! You've probably just save hundreds of viewers thousands of dollars in dealership costs just to replace the brake pads.
I did the rear brakes on my wife’s 2009 Audi A6 with electronic parking brakes and didn’t need no scan tool for that! Just unbolt brake box and carry on easy peasy lemon squeezey. Turn the calliper piston in with a pair of needle nose pliers. Job done, no issues, no codes
I’ll never buy a car that I have to take to the dealer because I need to have a program. I had to replace the lift gate module in my car. Guess what. I had to go to a dealer to program it to my vin. 95 bucks. Screw them no more from here on out it’s good used cars. Luckily I’m older so I’ll be dead before I have to have be a total slave to the dealers!!! I have an old 41 Chevy in the barn simple to work on. Think I put it back on the road
Lindenbum good luck with that, even older cars unless we’re talking early 90s, if you open the brake system you still need to perform an ABS bleed, with guess what, a scam tool!
My 2019 Ram 1500 has the ability to put the electronic parking brake into service mode right in one of the on-screen menus - no scan tool required. But it's not surprising that some manufacturers don't do this.
Great timing on this video. I was just asked to do a rear brake job on a 2016 Range Rover Sport Supercharged. I've never done one but told the guy I could do it as long as my DS708 will talk to it and retract the calipers. Fortunately, I got the last available update on the DS708 at the end of 2017 so hopefully I can do it. Thanks for the walk through!
ignition on, engine off--hold down parking brake switch two seconds--then hold throttle to the floor 2 seconds--turn ignition off and right back on--should hear solenoid noise
Another great video Eric O. Thanks for the public announcement on electronic parking brakes and needing a scan tool to work on them. I'm sure the dealership failed to tell this buyer that a simple brake job would require a trip to the shop. I never thought in my day that you would need a scan tool to do a simple rear brake job. Thanks for the heads up on a few reasonable scan tools that a DIYer can obtain to continue on the "old tradition" of working on your own vehicle to save $$.
Yeah Erico you can get a rear electric tool just for that and 1 only make of car but the mercs have it in the on board computer but there are other ways but you do need to be a professional tech
@@MultiArrie That would be awesome to drop anything with a little more getty up than my 52 or whatever hp 1.6. Its not too bad once you get up to highway speeds but sometimes when I am getting on the highway, I have to drive on the shoulder until an 18 wheeler goes by. And that is with someone on my butt too, but they back off because with it floored, its rolling coal
@@FredFlintstone21 thats with non turbo diesels a box standard tdi puts out about 90bhp is good enough for modern traffic. But you can tweak the ecu easy for 130bhp then becoms a mk4 golf into a sprint cannon.
Yes it is possible! No worries, just disconnect the brake motor and retract the piston "from behind" by hand. VolvoSweden has good video that show you how to do it. The car manufacturers went over to this sort of system since it eliminates any handbrake-wire problems. I must say its not a bad upgrade but it is a bit more challenging to understand!
Eric since I've been watching you, Paul Danner and Keith I've purchased more specialized tools than in my 40yr career of working on high performance aircraft. These manufacturers are going insane. And you buy these tools and everything is made in China and every nut and bolt is metric. I still have the same craftsman tool box and tools my mother bought for me when I was sixteen. When craftsman tools were the best not the crap of today. I think they are trying to get rid of DIYers and the small shops like yourself. Enough ranting thanks for all your videos and swag ❤️
Wife ask me the other day if I ever thought I'd buy another new car. I looked at her like she was nuts. She has a 1999 Honda Accord EXL 58000 original miles.been garaged since the day she bought it. My 2007 Odyessey has 70000 miles and I'll replace every component before I get rid of it. It also is always garaged. These new cars are insane!!
I live in the UK and drive an Audi A6 with the electronic parking brake. I use a Foxwell NT414 pro, which costs £175 (about $225 US) that has the EPB release function. Not a bad cost for the home DIY'er but needed so I could do my own rear brakes and believe it or not, reset my service light as you can only do this on the A6 with a scan tool with this function. Great video as always Eric.
Obdeleven pro is about $90 or Vcds 10vin is $199 Xtool vag 401 is a great tool for $50 that probably will do it. Xtool has issues with reading 2016 modules.
best bang for buck on these is a box of matches . electric handbrake is last evidence of using electrical tech to point of total stupidity. the handbrake is emergency brake and good old fashioned mechanical system was faultless concept . Why people buy modern junk is beyond me, waste of money and environment resources on pour quality bad design concept junk .
@@mrb1864 be ready . Toyota and GM both will have 15 percent of their vehicles with fully electronic brakes by 2021. No hydraulics whatsoever . Benz by 2020 . The others will follow suit
Be ready for the mayhem baby. My personal rides will all be from the 90's, this stuff can last decades and easily repaired at effective cost . Current car design and environmental impact from the short vehicle life and high maintenance parts consumption is illogical captain ... only thing they efficient at is making the trade money !
You can take a 9v battery for smoke detectors and just 2 short bits of wire. Connect it to the connectors on the caliper motor and its done. Works like a charm for a DIY like me. When youve changed the pads just use the electronic brake a few times. Push the pedal and done!
Got the part about using the 9 V battery. It's all a similar video, but once you're all done and brake pads are reinstalled. Do you just use the e brake button like normal a couple times and the e. P b reengages?
so you can do vw and benz rear brakes with out a scan tool, after you take off the rear caliper you can then pull the motor off and you can look inside the motor and see a torx i forget what size but you spin it clockwise all the way down then come back just a little bit and there you go. Or if you want vw has a free software online that anyone can get and then a 35$ cord and you can do almost anything to your vw or audi you could think of.
Another option that is great for the DIYers is the Carista bluetooth dongle. For $30 plus a $11 subscription fee, you can access many of the service tools (battery registration, brake service mode), as well as advanced diagnostics (ABS, airbag, etc.) and customizations with one touch programming (remote window operation, disable DRLs, disable auto start-stop system, etc.). No long coding required.
Had to change rear pads on an audi A6.. Had to keep the engine running the whole time to keep the E brake off...couldnt find any way of keeping it off after you turned the ignition off... And yes had the same problem with the wind back tool. I did find one adaptor that had only one prong did fit in a fashion... Good job they werent to tight to turn
Eric I'm a young retired truck driver and know nothing apart mechanics but if I lived up there it'd be a riot to hangout with you. You gotta be a ball of laughs
Now, it's time for a nap!! After liking, subscribing, hitting the bell, PATREON, Amazon shopping for hats, T shirts, bumper stickers, coffee mugs, sharing, doing the hokey pokey and turning myself around, I'm just worn out!! G'night Irene!!
Ha Eric it seems that with modern day autos that it's almost standard equipment to have a good bi directional scanner. I purchase the bluetooth ms906bt autel. Has everything I need. I been a GM person all my life and this 1200 dollar scan tool has save me many times. Now my neighbors and friends are coming over to have there cars scan.
Glad to see a VW CC video. Daughter just bought a 2013 3.6. Not looking forward to servicing it. I have an Autel VAG 505 Scan tool that has the parking brake functions. Think I paid $160.00 for it.. Has worked well on my wife's old Jetta but it is basically just for VW's.
Yes Eric you are correct, I have a mx808 and it will do the brake service function and can be picked up for 400-500$. I dont know if there is any way around it, although I have ran into a few cars, you can wind the caliper back if the bleeder is open.
I had customers say that disconnecting the battery will turn off the parking brake system. I've never tried that, so I can't confirm one way or the other. One was a Prius, I believe. I'd get worked up in your shoes as well. It's always a new tool, new "improved" version of a simple system, needing special sockets, etc. I get it, for some applications but something like a waterpump or brakes is ludicrous.
@@NameHere02 like I said, I can't confirm either way, I wasn't there, just what the customwr told me. His Prius I mentioned is automatic, so even then I don't know. Most people who drive stick, also leave it in gear, such as myself. So even if the battery died, it wouldn't just roll away, unless motor has horrible compression.
Funny lol you posted this and I just did the same car last week where a customer tried to do his own brakes and busted up the electric parking brake and needs new calipers.
Both MAC and DeWalt are owned by Stanley Black and Decker. They also now own Craftsman and Proto. They also own Expert, which is a Taiwanese brand. I would guess the ratchet and battery are both made by the same Taiwanese (or Chinese re: the battery) supplier.
Gettin and OBDeleven is your best bet. It’s only around $115 and is a VW/Audi scanner. Can access all subsystems and CAN systems. If you are a DIYer with a VW/Audi, you should get it or VCDS. Think of it like Toyota Techstream cable
Maybe that true about alot of brands, making more money off service. Weirdly, VW garages seem small, with the parking lot packed! We only sell so many, why have a big garage? The most reliable cars I have owned have been 3 VW's, a 92 BMW 5 series (No repairs but a leaky heater core that was easy, and a throwout bearing, again fairly easy, but after 25years and 250000 miles, not bad!) and a Mazda Tribute, except for a water pump. The 2 most unreliable were...VW's. Mainly just little things, like a speaker, windows regulator, spark plug needing changing frequently, a wiper switch. Engine and Transmissions were good!
Killer2600 While it's true that the electronics are remote, the electric servo motors are local. You can see it mounted on the back of the caliper at 3:39 . So the windings of the motor could be subject to fairly decent temperatures which isn't the best for the insulation.
I have changed my rear brake pads for 2015 Audi A3 with electronic brake and WITHOUT the service OBD tool. And here is how : 1- disconnect the e-brake Motor from its electric cable 2- there will be two screws holding the e-brake motor to the caliper , unscrew both and remove the motor . 3- using t5 screw driver rotate the motor clockwise until you can’t move it anymore , with that you have already retract it backwards. 4- change your brake pads and rotors 5- return the E-brake engine to its place and you are done . I have tried it and worked for me , hope I could share little knowledge with you after all what I’ve learned from you . Thank you
I have an Autel MD802 and it has the ability to retract rear calipers on most cars and it was just over $200 Canadian. I use it at the dealer just cause it’s faster than our oem software. Also our dealer charges 2.5 hours for those rear brakes! I think you’re safe to bump your labour up a little!
Well, how's a autel maxicheck pro? It's a latest service tool it also has the ability to retract rear calipers on most cars and read or clear the Anti-Lock Braking System trouble codes, Steering angle sensor(SAS)functionality etc. It's not very expensive, only $155. Do you think which one is better? MD802 or checkpro? I am going to get one from obdprice.com
Autel make a product - the Autel OBD2 Reader Diaglink - that claims to be able to put the EPB in service mode. It costs about $90 (USD). They describe it explicitly as the DIY version of their MD802. I have no links with Autel, and I haven't used this tool: but it might be worth checking out, given that it performs many other diagnoses and tests as well.
I have had a long-term problem with colds that I can't shake. I finally got a good explanation from a doctor when I went in at my girlfriend's insistence. If it lasts more than three days and you don't have a fever -- it's bronchitis. If you have a fever then it's likely the flu. If it's bronchitis then it's time for an antibiotic regimen. A "Z-Pac" -- not to be confused with a "2-Pac". So maybe Mrs. O needs a quick trip to the doctor's office.
Dang it! I hate that you have the same phone as me and when it rings in the background I start to get up or hear my wife in the background get up to get the phone - LOL!
Work around 1. Unplug 2. Unbolt motor from caliper 3. Turn splined drive in CLOCKWISE till stops. 4. Press piston in all the way just like Eric did. Hope this helps some people!
We have a 2016 Honda with an electronic parking brake. When doing the brakes, I remove the parking brake motor (two hex screws), then a use a big flat head screwdriver to back that piston off then re-attach it. After the brake job is done, cycle the parking brake to clear the light on the console. I have done this twice (two separate brake jobs) without any issue. That being said, YMMV
About 1:46, and "pain in the ass" with vw-type electrical connectors.... When you push the tab and try to disconnect socket it do not want to disconnect. It is because of design of this type sockets. When you push the tab and try to disconnect, what you do is actually blocking socket. (I know, weird) What you should try is: press the socket down (the same way as you connecting socket) AND THEN push the tab on socket. After that it easily disconnecting. It works with all vw-type sockets. English is my second language, so I hope you understand, what I want to say. Greetings from Europe:)
There are a few items out there that are app based. Carista is one that charges about $10 for use for a week and it supports the brake service. It has other decent features too that make it worth the one time charge.
Mate, according to other videos I've watcherd, there are 2 ways to get around using the scan tool for the electric rear parking brake. (1) spare 12 volt battery with wires and spade connectors straight on to the motor (from the connector you removed). Change polarity to confirm wind in or wind out (2) There are 2 torx bolts on the motor on the back of the caliper. Remove motor. Use a 8mm allan key bit on a ratchet to manually turn left to wind it all the way out. Reassemble motor to caliper and you are set to push in caliper. Once you finish doing the pads, you need to engage and release (cycle) the electronic brake twice from the switch inside the car. Then you are all done.
Just so you guys know, from my experience. We have a 2016 vw Tiguan with these electric rear brakes on the calipers. Once you pull the calliper off, there are 2 T25 screws holding the electric motor on, take those out and pop there motor off, back out the t40 screw in the center then use a clamp to squeeze in calipers, replace t25 screws and you are done. No programmer needed
Not cheap, but cheaper than 1K, Foxwell i70 has a EPB service mode. Buy it from Foxwell direct you get 30 day return, 2 year warranty, and 3 yrs free update on vehicles. Not sponsored, lol! Love your channel Eric O. If I ever do my own RUclips channel gonna give you a shout out! Thank for this post.
Ohhhh. This is the start my friends... Learn the battery. Service mode the ebrake. Immobilizer the chip coded key and the list goes on and on. I bought my snappy scanner with 18.2. You will need a scanner for newer cars. Computers are everywhere in cars today. Someday you will need a scan tool just to open the hood!!!
Nope, you need a $99 OBD11 bluetooth dongle for your smartphone :) Or VCDS, which is a little more expensive, but can do more. Would love to see more "German crap" on your channel!
You can do them in your yard.. just have to have a extra battery or long leads from battery. Then run positive and negative to the caliper plug and see if its going in if not reverse polarity on the pins and it'll bring the piston in hope this helps
as an electronics guy im flat sick n tired of designers using open platform or multi use designs ALL requiring regular software updates,I spend HOURS a week checking and updating software on scopes, newer multimeters and specialized test equipment . There's no reason for it other than greed and laziness.
Before I had a scan tool capable of releasing electric park brake I used to use a car battery and a set of jumpers. I have only tried this on audi but assume vw is the same. Not sure about other makes but it's possible. Just unplug connector and try touching power and ground to the caliper side of connection. If the motor sound like it does when you are setting park brake then stop. Then reverse your power and ground to change polarity. Now the motor should sound like it's turning freely. Then wait til you hear the motor stop and quickly remove power. Now you can squeeze in the caliper. After you're done changing pads and or rotors pump the brake a few times like you normally would. Then try setting park brake to make sure it works
For Volkswagen, Schwaben has a VAG only scantool that should have that function (and many others) available at ECS Tuning for $170 to $200. I think Foxwell makes it. They also have OBD11 as others have mentioned, and of course the full Foxwell 1100 to 1300 (or much more if not on sale) Get well soon Mrs. O!
This is just a wild guess, I am not a mechanic, so take this with a pinch of salt or toss it in the round file. Maybe unplug the motor and apply the right voltage at the right polarity directly to the motor so it unwinds manually? Like with your Power Probe?
Yes that works, I used to do it before i got a proper scan tool but they are also supposed to be adapted after you change rear pads so really should get a tool for it
Yes it works, but it doesnt get the job done 100% since the computer software also calibrates the new piston position against the new thicker pads, it also sets new max torque and outer and inner max parameters.
I'm glad you've brought this up. I had a '13 Mercedes in here 5 months ago, needed rear brakes and rotors. I had just paid $625.00 to update my OTC Genisys scan tool, and I asked the salesman specifically if the update would give me the capability of turning off the electronic e-brakes on Euro cars. He said yes.. Guess what? NO. You have to buy the Euro package update at another cool $400, that unlocks the Euro features for the e-brake feature to work. I don't see enough Eurocars to make the cost worth it. Time for a different scan tool! I sure miss the days when all a car needed was a red brick aka Snap On scanner, to fix them!
The newer Subaru's have the darn electric brake too... I heard you just disconnect the battery, then unplug the motor and wind the piston back in... heard this from a Subaru tech...
I was a wrecker driver back in the 90s for AAA, I was a New England born and raised boy, I think one family in our neighborhood had a VW. First time I went to change a tire on a Rabbit I think, the tire attacked me and I thought I'd pulled the studs out somehow. Took me a serious ponder to realize they were completely different from the cars I'd owned.
The worst thing about scan tools are the subscription fees and planned obsolescence, (such as when a battery dies and can't easily be replaced). I guess we shouldn't be surprised that new car manufacturers don't care about people who do their own work. Most of us never buy new vehicles, we're smarter than that.
I just doubled checked on my Autel MK808 and yes it does do Electronic Parking Brakes as a hot function for a 2011 VW Passat in an almost identical manor to your much higher priced unit. My MK808 was just over $400 when I got it on sale but its regularly around $500 on Amazon. Though if I were to buy it again I would probably opt for the MaxiTPMS TS608 for a few dollars more with Bluetooth wireless OBD2 dongle and complete TPMS functionality. For much less money I think the Autel MD808 (~$230) and the MD805 (~$170) would work too, but I cannot verify that 100% for a 2011 VW Passat .
My reliable VW brake tip, Roll down the window, Drive slowly down inclined surface of your nearest boat ramp, apply brakes when (a) VW floats or (b) water begins to enter the open window. Congratulations problem solved!
Put it back on the boat to the Fatherland and drop it over the deepest part of the ocean. It’s not even worth using it as an anchor and if you did use a detachable coupling on the cable so it is a disposable anchor not worth hauling it back up. Hope my grammar is ok. What do you expect for ex- aircraft mechanic. I never really liked to read manuals anyway. Almost toasted a Saab 340 engine due to a mistake in translation from Swedish to (American English) in the engine run up test procedures. Go figure and it was a GE turboprop engine supposedly made in the good old USA.
Since you mentioned it, I just did a review on that tool. The MK808 has the electric braking option. If viewers go to my channel they get a $40 off coupon plus another 10% off if they use a code listed in my description box for a price of $480. (Sorry for the selfless plug). Just trying to same some people some money. :)
Save them money yes Do not buy one of these cars lol
@@VWWRENCHIE I'm a DIY'er (below average) and a scan tool would be a big help, BUT is there a yearly subscription needed to use the scan tool? Would I be able to use it right out of the box ? I understand about updating and keeping the info current, but is it needed in order for the scan tool to work? Thanks for the info !!
Hey Wyatt, look up Ross Tech VCDS they do a few different versions seems to be the go to tool for VAG stuff, think the software is free updates and they do “enthusiast” versions too.
What about Vag com. Use it all the time. Ross Tec makes it.
@John Smith mx 808 is different than than the mk 808
One customer left the wheel lock in the cup holder today, I thought about leaving him a tip.
Nice. Nice. Makes the ordeal more smoother.
I always hand the tool to the shop or leave it where they can find it easily.
I am short but try real hard to move the seat back before they brake a leg getting in.
When I have a car with it it's the first thing I give the techs
I like when the customer makes the wheel lock accessible, by leaving it in the cup holder or giving it to the service writer. Also, leaving it in the 2 obvious places, glove compartment or trunk. I hate having to rip the car apart for it. I had customers leave the lock at home while the car is in the shop, duh.
The DIY way without a scantool: You can take the motor off (two bolts) Once removed there's a T40 in the caliper that normally gets rotated by the motor. Turn it clockwise roughly 2 turns and the piston is free to move back. Then just put it all together and just use the parkingbrake so the computer will relearn when the piston is fully extended. That's all.
I recently did a rear brake job for a friend on a Passat. You can do them at home easily by disconnecting the motor and feed 12 volts in the pins with two jumper wires and DVOM probes. Just try both polarities and figure out which pin needs to get positive in order to retract the parking brake mecanism. Not really the most time efficient method but it gets the job done.
On my sons Ford. You have to make sure the car is off, push accelerator to the floor while pressing the EPBS (electronic parking break switch) for 5 seconds, turn the key to accessories for 5 seconds. You should hear the breaks go into "maintenance mode" . Then turn the key to off. No scan tool required
You don't know how to spell "brakes"? Wow
And while you're waiting??
@@jasonw8124 My pet peeve too Jason. "We had to take a "brake" from driving because the breaks on the car went out. "There" taking them over "their" to get "they're" breaks fixed. LOL
would that be a Ford Escape?
VCDS/Odis are must have to in any VAG shop. Using some chinese noname junk is the best way to black out ECUs or/and miss half of the errors in memory. If you work with VAG you now how to change parking brake pads without any computer tool.
I unplug the connector and apply 12v to the brake motor. Change polarity to release or apply. I built a tool that used Milwaukee battery packs to quickly release brakes, then you cycle the e-brake when finished.
This is what I have been doing for years. I have a 12V Power Supply that is used almost exclusively for this as a DIY'er for many friends and family. I do have a scan tool that can do this now but as I'm accustomed to using the power supply that is what I still do.
Same here
My snap on scanner don’t have that brakes service feature so I do what you do I use have a gator clip and the dewalt battery to release the caliper don’t need a expensive scan tool
That works until you fuck the motor and pcm. 😂😂😂
@@punkrocker10115 I think, it is you who is lacking the understanding of how electricity works. Lemme educate you, free of charge. Electrical items DRAW power from the source. You can connect 12V 999999999999999Ah battery to the 12V 5W T5 bulb and you will not burn it.
Thank you for not being a DB lol. I have a probably 20k in scantools... I don't charge extra just because I bought them. I more appreciate my customers for sticking with me so I can afford them lol
I have to tell you Eric, the amount of patience that you have in your videos is amazing. To have the amount of patience that you have truly shows the experience that you have. People in your town are lucky to have a mechanic like you.
I think it's terrible that on these modern cars you can't even do your own rear brakes anymore due to the addition of these electronic parking brakes. I swear the engineers/designers add these systems to force the DIYer to have to bring their cars back to the dealership. This channel educates us all BEFORE we buy a car so we will know what we're in for if we buy these models. Great video.
Kenneth White I think newer Audi's and other manufacturers require the battery to be adapted or programmed to the car.
It's a VW, this is why you NEVER BUY EUROPEAN CARS! Way to reliant on computers!
Nothing to do with being a European all these electronic devices are to pave the way for stop-start and "autonomous" vehicles. Spoiler alert there is no way the authorities in any country are going to let autonomous vehicles be serviced outside the dealer chain.
Sad part is, that's ALL cars today. Wait until you see the crap they're doing on '18 -'19 vehicles ...
I would place the blame on business people wanting to maximize after sales work, and not so much the engineers/designers.
“Find the wheel lock, 30 minutes later” haha I know the feeling. I have come across some interesting things digging for wheel locks.
I try not to look haha
I found guys 9 mm in his glove box another guy's gun under his back seat.
Usually just trash, every so often you have to move around interesting things, one lady was a “photographer” and had a ton of toys and lingerie in her back suv hatch
Eddie Stinson I also have a wheel lock set I bought off Matco most mechanics do but they do not fit the type in this video.
brian willoughby I to have found guns but recently I was removing an engine cover on a Chevy work van and found what appeared to be used needles and burnt spoons. I think we all know what that’s for. It’s none of my business so I just look past it and do my job.
Being a mechanic myself and doing many of these same repairs on a daily basis; I really enjoy watching another mechanic's thought processes both with troubleshooting and also which tools they choose to use. Watching these videos, I learn a great deal about new and different tools as well as the process that you follow to get it done. There's many ways to attack a problem. The more options the better. Thanks for sharing!
Another fun fact about the EPB is if your battery goes below a certain voltage whilst going in or out of service mode it will kill the EPB module. Thanks VW . And thank you Mr O :-)
Whatever happened to battery chargers ?
Hey a handy tip for those connectors: Push them in a little with the tab pushed down before you start trying to pull them out, it makes them way easier.
Eric you are a hell of a mechanic, super pro, fair and honest, I think I can count your breed with one single hand...not too many out there. A "mechanic" wanted to charge me 1500$ + parts to fix my '12 Hyundai Santa Fe's steering rack stiffness, it turned out to be only a matter of a couple of oil flushes after some good old seafoam trans tune cleaner, 100$ and three oil flushes later good as new!
There are many electronic scan tools made now that allow you to do brakes. They range from ones designed only to disengage the brake system for Audis and Volkswagons Ancel VD500,which is $54.99 on amazon right now, all the way to the Autel MaxiCheck Pro, which while not as fancy as the 808, should do everything a DIY guy, like me, needs for $226.00 also on Amazon.
PS. Love the videos.
As an average DIYer, dis-connect the battery and with a long pair of jumper wires reverse the polarity at the caliper. Sucks 'em right in
Even easier
Lift on Jack stands put in neutral
Large pair a channel locks always works for me...
But when we connect the battery back, computer sends signal to piston to squeeze to the old positio which ruins everything..not sure
@@terminator7137 its for real
@@nc6826 no, the electric motor will run until it pinches ... when there is a certain electrical resistance, the computer knows that the parking brake is applied ... it has no memory of where it was applied last..because the brake pads wear, and if it had memory as you said, then you would not have any parking brake after a while
Would love to see a video on your opinion of the best low $ code readers, and scope kits.
I remove the motor an turn it manually, no problem. They calibrate each time you use the e brake. Done it lots of times
Going to try it
blkthunderbolt if you have a Ford or Mazda there is a way to do it without tools. I posted it in comments. Message me if you want help.
if its only 2 wires its likely a dc motor with a gearbox. pig tail with a small battery will likely release the break in one polarity and tighten the other.
Yes, no problem doing it that way.
That's what I've been doing on late-model Volvos. Works just fine, and I haven't had a comeback. And yes I have a scan tool capable of retracting the parking brakes on those cars - it's just faster to do it manually. Time is money!
Didnt read all the comments but you can reset the parking brake manually. You have to unplug it. Remove the motor from the caliper and then turn the caliper where the motor would be until it stops. Then you can push the piston back without crushing the parking mechanism. I just did this on a 2011 bmw in the driveway.....enough bout that. Love your videos. Keep up the great work
Eric, thank you for being an honest mechanic. seems to me, there’s not many of them left in the world. Everybody thinks about how they can make roast money and not be concerned for the customer. You go above and beyond which I myself appreciate. Question for you, how many different skin tools do you have? You seem to have many different ones based on your videos. Have you ever done a video, or would you consider doing a video comparing them all? Do you know if there is a Bluetooth scan tool which will do by directional functionality like the launch that works with Apple iOS devices? I ask, because I am legally blind, and I use voiceover to have my iPhone talk to me for things I cannot read. I like doing my own work on vehicles, but I cannot justify spending a lot of money on a scan tool. You recently demonstrated a launch scan tool which was not that highly priced, but it worked with an android device. Looking for something similar that will work with an Apple product because the accessibility features on Apple products are better than what is available from the android line. Again, thank you for putting out quality videos. You seem to have a good business, and a nice family. You can be proud of yourself. And you deserve a lot of credit.
I totally agree Rick and yet,Eric still gets some thumbs down somehow,. I dont get it.
They’re just trolls. I think the whole SMA crew all seem like nice people.
@@Andy-ir1sj I can't stand these IDIOTS that are always giving the thumbs down. I would love to bring a good sized ball peen hammer down on both their thumbs. Want to whine about something--you got it.
@@KStewart-th4sk , the 40 people who gave it the thumbs down attempted to do their own brakes, didn't have a proper scan tool, had the piston fall out of the caliper and had to pay to have the car towed to the dealer for expensive repairs.
I just apply 12 volts onto the plug on rear of the caliper (remove plug first), works every time.
There is no need for a scan tool or 12v just do as usual
As a VW owner, I am used to this process, a scan tool is the best way. There are economical, VW specific, scan tools that will access all of the necessary functions. Some of them are sub $100 like OBDeleven or Carista. NIce work Dr. O. Do be careful with the voltage, I have heard of people bricking the parking brake module when the voltage drops too low. It is recommended that you have a battery charger connected during the brake service to prevent bricking the module.
sbcncsu hey sir what is bricking the module
@@joeclark8029 it means electronically damaging the module so it does just what a brick does, nothing.
Thank you guys
i did on a Vw Tiguan unplugged the connecter and jump a battery in reverse polarity to retract the piston, My Chrysler 200 2015 has EPB also but there is an option in the radio to put it in service mode
I did the same job yesterday on my 98 Explorer. I tried to follow the Eric O. guidelines:
1. Cleaned caliper and all mating surfaces with a die grinder.
2. Removed some brake fluid from the reservoir.
3. Applied brake grease to all metal to metal contact surfaces minus the brake hardware surface for the pads.
4. Lubricated the mounting pins judiciously.
5. Fluid film to the hub.
6. Tightened all bolts to factory spec.
7. Test drive after pumping the brake pedal.
This is the same 98 Explorer I replaced all the brake lines and hoses on. I'm learning a lot from your videos!
Hello SMAR!
I’m one of the home gamers and l just changed the rotors and pads onna new atlas recently. I bought a scanner to unlock the electronic parking brake and it failed to do so and l was left stumped for a long minute. Being as the dealership was two hours away and not to be deterred, l did some research. l had to manually release the parking brake, and then proceeded as usual. It worked just fine and l will attest that there is not alot of room around that particular vehicle.
I have been a long time and always enjoy watching your videos and keep up the great work good sir!
Haven't watched the video yet - but i just wanted to say that i think you do based on the following scenario:
I had a tech in my shop attempt to retract the calipers on an audi by using a power probe.. It worked and retracted the caliper piston and all seemed well and good. He put the pads in, reinstalled the caliper and put everything back together. He got in the car and turned the key on - the car must have done a brake self check at that moment and 10 seconds later was a loud crunching sound...
The caliper pistons were destroyed and the calipers were very expensive (i cant remember how much, but it was over $1000 each). Im thinking the calipers have a position sensor in them based off the brake module and without retracting the calipers by scan tool - the module thought the pistons were in a different position and tried to extend the pistons back to the original position and destroyed themselves.
Ill have to watch the video later and see what you have to say - but i did want to throw that out there. it may have been a fluke thing (or he did something incorrectly, but anything is possible with the tech on cars these days!
i've had audi's, land rovers, and VWs. i've used the power probe technique on all of them. never had an issue. i always just hopped in the car afterwards, pushed the E brake button and you can hear the calipers tighten up to the pads. never any issues.
@@brycejeffords2925 is that before or after turning the key on? Maybe that was the other guy's flaw?
car off, unplug caliper, apply 12v to run back electric motor, replace whatever needs to be done, put back together, jump in the car and immediately hit E brake. no turning on car.
@@brycejeffords2925 see? There was the other fella's mistake. Cycle Ebrake 1st. Then turn key. Thanks for your input
Do you remember what car it was? I don’t think the calipers are that expensive. You need to replace them quite often. Big problem with these seems to be that the parking brake part of caliper cracks (plastic part in cold temperatures) and allows water to get in and then it can even burn out the control unit.
Watching your videos is what made me decide to get the Autel 906 I have 5 kids and partners who drive my work van and my parents cars and my brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces I’ve had it a month found an identified a freelander nsr speed sensor issue. Injector wiring issue on another vehicle ( initially they thought it was an injector) and trying to sort an airbag fault on my van and also looking at an over pressure boost issue on another car. So although it was expensive I’m already on the way to making it pay for itself in savings...
So thanks to you and Mrs O for your time and effort that you put into your videos and for allowing us to come along for the ride.
There is a simple work around for DIY'rs. Remove the electronic parking brake motors, throw them in a river and then carry an old brick to jam under the tire as the new parking brake. Peice of cake!
Man this comment made me piss my pants at work! LOL
:))) or hardwood blocks with rope attached, then you can pull while sitting in vehicle after taking pressure off. also one of the way s they held manual drag race cars years ago, 2nd person would yank the block as tree was coming down or flag drop
Probably would set the check engine light!
Heheheheheh :)
Bill Ski lol
There is an option to take the back of the electric caliper off and rewind by hand. There is a torx fitting on the back of the caliper and as you turn it this winds the caliper back in. This is how I did mine with no ill effects. Adds about 10 mins to each side. As soon as you reactivate the parking brake it will fully wind against the pads and disc as normal.
I sincerely wish we had a mechanic of your quality and integrity in our town. I am so tired of getting scammed, ripped off and overcharged by auto repair shops. All I ask for is an honest quote and a quality repair and I am willing to pay for it. I am not a mechanic, but my solution to this dilemma was to buy a basic good little truck that was as simple as I could find. I bought a 2005 Ford Ranger 4cyl, 5 speed manual, no air con, no cruise control, no power windows, no fancy electronic stuff of any kind. I bought some cheap Husky tools at home depot and a big Ranger repair manual from ebay. I am 66 years old and I have never worked on cars before so it took my arthritic back 3 hours to change the front brakes on my Ranger, (many pauses for refreshment -- a young guy could probably do it in 20 minutes). New high quality Bosch rotors and pads for $110 from rockauto. Astonishingly simple and doable. A shop here probably would have raped me for $300 - $400. Now the car companies want to block out DIYers through electronics. Greed not goodness.
As I am not a mechanic nor a vw owner. This video was awesome and full of information. Had no idea they wheel studs huh weird stuff. Your channel is better then any primetime tv show. Keep them coming Dr O !
I read in another forum that someone changed an window winder switch in a late model ford, and for the new one to work it had to be initialised using a scan tool after installation.
Some vehicles have a maintenance mode. Just Look it up for your vehicle. Hold a certain button and press another three times while holding your left foot out the window sort of thing. Like turning off the seatbelt reminder.
I don't know of any workaround for vw/audi, but you can do it without a scanner of MB and FCA.
On Mercedes, put display on odometer/trip, then turn off and remove the key. Put the key in, turn it to the first detent, and press and hold the "phone" and "ok" buttons on the steering wheel. It will open a hidden submenu with options for brake pad replacement and service reset.
On FCA stuff, there is a pad replacement option in the infotainment system under settings, in the vehicle tab, IIRC.
Thank you for that valuable information!! You've probably just save hundreds of viewers thousands of dollars in dealership costs just to replace the brake pads.
I did the rear brakes on my wife’s 2009 Audi A6 with electronic parking brakes and didn’t need no scan tool for that! Just unbolt brake box and carry on easy peasy lemon squeezey. Turn the calliper piston in with a pair of needle nose pliers. Job done, no issues, no codes
What! Mr.O working on a European car, i really love that. I hope you'll do more.
I've seen guys just use a powerprobe to open the calipers.🤣🤣
I’ll never buy a car that I have to take to the dealer because I need to have a program. I had to replace the lift gate module in my car. Guess what. I had to go to a dealer to program it to my vin. 95 bucks. Screw them no more from here on out it’s good used cars. Luckily I’m older so I’ll be dead before I have to have be a total slave to the dealers!!! I have an old 41 Chevy in the barn simple to work on. Think I put it back on the road
Lindenbum good luck with that, even older cars unless we’re talking early 90s, if you open the brake system you still need to perform an ABS bleed, with guess what, a scam tool!
That was the whole goal of having an electronic parking brake..
I love three-wire ignitions!!! Oil, Temp and coil!! simple! Adjust with a screwdriver and a vacuum gauge
@@KJ-co5fi My 2000's era Corolla does not require a scan tool for brake bleed.
I’ve bleed the brake 2014 car. No problem or scan tool needed
My 2019 Ram 1500 has the ability to put the electronic parking brake into service mode right in one of the on-screen menus - no scan tool required. But it's not surprising that some manufacturers don't do this.
I'm surprised the manufacturer was that considerate. Lol
Some = European Manufacturers
same with my 2015 200 limited
Yeah especially since its a Fiat.
You will need a battery charger while during the job. Just in case so epb system does not go crazy in battery is too low
Good video! Thanks for posting it. Good pacing and commentary!
Great timing on this video. I was just asked to do a rear brake job on a 2016 Range Rover Sport Supercharged. I've never done one but told the guy I could do it as long as my DS708 will talk to it and retract the calipers. Fortunately, I got the last available update on the DS708 at the end of 2017 so hopefully I can do it. Thanks for the walk through!
ignition on, engine off--hold down parking brake switch two seconds--then hold throttle to the floor 2 seconds--turn ignition off and right back on--should hear solenoid noise
Thanks. I had actually read that somewhere but also read that it doesn't always work on all models.
price9195 Mr Price. It's really cool when someone shares what they have learned for us. I appreciate it!!
I actually read it in the Land Rover service manual and it worked on my car. Faith John A.
I'll try it if the scan tool doesn't work. How does one take it out of service mode when done?
Another great video Eric O. Thanks for the public announcement on electronic parking brakes and needing a scan tool to work on them. I'm sure the dealership failed to tell this buyer that a simple brake job would require a trip to the shop. I never thought in my day that you would need a scan tool to do a simple rear brake job. Thanks for the heads up on a few reasonable scan tools that a DIYer can obtain to continue on the "old tradition" of working on your own vehicle to save $$.
Yeah Erico you can get a rear electric tool just for that and 1 only make of car but the mercs have it in the on board computer but there are other ways but you do need to be a professional tech
I think I'll keep my 81 rabbit diesel.
FredFlintstone21 agree!! I’ll keep my 89 Chevy 2500
I had an AUTOMATIC diesel Rabbit. A whopping 52HP. It had the "E" transmission. Great car but obviously slow as hell. :)
that screams for a 1.9 tdi.
@@MultiArrie
That would be awesome to drop anything with a little more getty up than my 52 or whatever hp 1.6. Its not too bad once you get up to highway speeds but sometimes when I am getting on the highway, I have to drive on the shoulder until an 18 wheeler goes by. And that is with someone on my butt too, but they back off because with it floored, its rolling coal
@@FredFlintstone21 thats with non turbo diesels a box standard tdi puts out about 90bhp is good enough for modern traffic. But you can tweak the ecu easy for 130bhp then becoms a mk4 golf into a sprint cannon.
I have watched a lot of RUclips videos and I've watched a lot of your videos and I think you do the best job on brakes of anybody on RUclips
I know I should be doing my calculus homework now, but it can wait. Can't miss a new SMA video
Area under the curve!
Gear wrenches are great for jobs like this. Cornwell makes a great set of flex head ones. I've had my set for more than 10 years
Hello from Pa, I've been watching. Never get tired of watching
Yes it is possible! No worries, just disconnect the brake motor and retract the piston "from behind" by hand. VolvoSweden has good video that show you how to do it.
The car manufacturers went over to this sort of system since it eliminates any handbrake-wire problems. I must say its not a bad upgrade but it is a bit more challenging to understand!
Eric since I've been watching you, Paul Danner and Keith I've purchased more specialized tools than in my 40yr career of working on high performance aircraft. These manufacturers are going insane. And you buy these tools and everything is made in China and every nut and bolt is metric. I still have the same craftsman tool box and tools my mother bought for me when I was sixteen. When craftsman tools were the best not the crap of today. I think they are trying to get rid of DIYers and the small shops like yourself. Enough ranting thanks for all your videos and swag ❤️
Wife ask me the other day if I ever thought I'd buy another new car. I looked at her like she was nuts. She has a 1999 Honda Accord EXL 58000 original miles.been garaged since the day she bought it. My 2007 Odyessey has 70000 miles and I'll replace every component before I get rid of it. It also is always garaged. These new cars are insane!!
I live in the UK and drive an Audi A6 with the electronic parking brake. I use a Foxwell NT414 pro, which costs £175 (about $225 US) that has the EPB release function. Not a bad cost for the home DIY'er but needed so I could do my own rear brakes and believe it or not, reset my service light as you can only do this on the A6 with a scan tool with this function.
Great video as always Eric.
Obdeleven pro is about $90 or Vcds 10vin is $199 Xtool vag 401 is a great tool for $50 that probably will do it. Xtool has issues with reading 2016 modules.
Beat me to it. Obd11 is the best bang for the buck on these
vag tool :-)
best bang for buck on these is a box of matches .
electric handbrake is last evidence of using electrical tech to point of total stupidity. the handbrake is emergency brake and good old fashioned mechanical system was faultless concept .
Why people buy modern junk is beyond me, waste of money and environment resources on pour quality bad design concept junk .
@@mrb1864 be ready . Toyota and GM both will have 15 percent of their vehicles with fully electronic brakes by 2021. No hydraulics whatsoever . Benz by 2020 . The others will follow suit
Be ready for the mayhem baby.
My personal rides will all be from the 90's, this stuff can last decades and easily repaired at effective cost .
Current car design and environmental impact from the short vehicle life and high maintenance parts consumption is illogical captain ...
only thing they efficient at is making the trade money !
You can take a 9v battery for smoke detectors and just 2 short bits of wire. Connect it to the connectors on the caliper motor and its done. Works like a charm for a DIY like me. When youve changed the pads just use the electronic brake a few times. Push the pedal and done!
Got the part about using the 9 V battery. It's all a similar video, but once you're all done and brake pads are reinstalled. Do you just use the e brake button like normal a couple times and the e. P b reengages?
@@franklinavilez2386 yes it will adjust itself back to working position.
so you can do vw and benz rear brakes with out a scan tool, after you take off the rear caliper you can then pull the motor off and you can look inside the motor and see a torx i forget what size but you spin it clockwise all the way down then come back just a little bit and there you go. Or if you want vw has a free software online that anyone can get and then a 35$ cord and you can do almost anything to your vw or audi you could think of.
Another option that is great for the DIYers is the Carista bluetooth dongle. For $30 plus a $11 subscription fee, you can access many of the service tools (battery registration, brake service mode), as well as advanced diagnostics (ABS, airbag, etc.) and customizations with one touch programming (remote window operation, disable DRLs, disable auto start-stop system, etc.). No long coding required.
Had to change rear pads on an audi A6..
Had to keep the engine running the whole time to keep the E brake off...couldnt find any way of keeping it off after you turned the ignition off...
And yes had the same problem with the wind back tool. I did find one adaptor that had only one prong did fit in a fashion... Good job they werent to tight to turn
shauns auto repairs unplug the ebrake motor while car is running???
@@enginehead9966 May illuminate a light on dash which cost him $$$ to turn it off
@@mansouralblooshi3004
Thats why i kept it running.. Didnt want to disconect it with it running incase i enjuced a fault code or system malfunction
Eric I'm a young retired truck driver and know nothing apart mechanics but if I lived up there it'd be a riot to hangout with you. You gotta be a ball of laughs
Now, it's time for a nap!! After liking, subscribing, hitting the bell, PATREON, Amazon shopping for hats, T shirts, bumper stickers, coffee mugs, sharing, doing the hokey pokey and turning myself around, I'm just worn out!! G'night Irene!!
Ha Eric it seems that with modern day autos that it's almost standard equipment to have a good bi directional scanner. I purchase the bluetooth ms906bt autel.
Has everything I need. I been a GM person all my life and this 1200 dollar scan tool has save me many times. Now my neighbors and friends are coming over to have there cars scan.
I bought 50$ cable with a disc with vcds. In give full service function and full data list. No need to buy fancy tools.
What do you mean?
Glad to see a VW CC video. Daughter just bought a 2013 3.6. Not looking forward to servicing it. I have an Autel VAG 505 Scan tool that has the parking brake functions. Think I paid $160.00 for it.. Has worked well on my wife's old Jetta but it is basically just for VW's.
Great vid as always. Hope Mrs O feels better soon. Colds suck!
Yes Eric you are correct, I have a mx808 and it will do the brake service function and can be picked up for 400-500$. I dont know if there is any way around it, although I have ran into a few cars, you can wind the caliper back if the bleeder is open.
I had customers say that disconnecting the battery will turn off the parking brake system. I've never tried that, so I can't confirm one way or the other. One was a Prius, I believe.
I'd get worked up in your shoes as well. It's always a new tool, new "improved" version of a simple system, needing special sockets, etc. I get it, for some applications but something like a waterpump or brakes is ludicrous.
So if you've got a manual, leave the car in neutral, and the battery dies... you're car is rolling away?
@@NameHere02 like I said, I can't confirm either way, I wasn't there, just what the customwr told me. His Prius I mentioned is automatic, so even then I don't know. Most people who drive stick, also leave it in gear, such as myself. So even if the battery died, it wouldn't just roll away, unless motor has horrible compression.
good point never thought about that!
That's German Engineering, over complicating something that doesn't need to be complicated...
Funny lol you posted this and I just did the same car last week where a customer tried to do his own brakes and busted up the electric parking brake and needs new calipers.
Both MAC and DeWalt are owned by Stanley Black and Decker. They also now own Craftsman and Proto. They also own Expert, which is a Taiwanese brand. I would guess the ratchet and battery are both made by the same Taiwanese (or Chinese re: the battery) supplier.
they also own blackhawk tools as well
Anyone remember Elu power tools?
Gettin and OBDeleven is your best bet. It’s only around $115 and is a VW/Audi scanner. Can access all subsystems and CAN systems. If you are a DIYer with a VW/Audi, you should get it or VCDS. Think of it like Toyota Techstream cable
The enemy of electronics. Heat. What do brakes do? Convert kinetic energy into heat. How is this a good idea?
European cars are money pits, VW makes more money on servicing cars than actually selling them...
Maybe that true about alot of brands, making more money off service. Weirdly, VW garages seem small, with the parking lot packed! We only sell so many, why have a big garage?
The most reliable cars I have owned have been 3 VW's, a 92 BMW 5 series (No repairs but a leaky heater core that was easy, and a throwout bearing, again fairly easy, but after 25years and 250000 miles, not bad!) and a Mazda Tribute, except for a water pump. The 2 most unreliable were...VW's. Mainly just little things, like a speaker, windows regulator, spark plug needing changing frequently, a wiper switch. Engine and Transmissions were good!
too late. lol
There are no heat sensitive electronics at the actual caliper.
Killer2600
While it's true that the electronics are remote, the electric servo motors are local. You can see it mounted on the back of the caliper at 3:39 . So the windings of the motor could be subject to fairly decent temperatures which isn't the best for the insulation.
I have changed my rear brake pads for 2015 Audi A3 with electronic brake and WITHOUT the service OBD tool. And here is how :
1- disconnect the e-brake Motor from its electric cable
2- there will be two screws holding the e-brake motor to the caliper , unscrew both and remove the motor .
3- using t5 screw driver rotate the motor clockwise until you can’t move it anymore , with that you have already retract it backwards.
4- change your brake pads and rotors
5- return the E-brake engine to its place and you are done .
I have tried it and worked for me , hope I could share little knowledge with you after all what I’ve learned from you .
Thank you
I have an Autel MD802 and it has the ability to retract rear calipers on most cars and it was just over $200 Canadian. I use it at the dealer just cause it’s faster than our oem software. Also our dealer charges 2.5 hours for those rear brakes! I think you’re safe to bump your labour up a little!
2.5 hours to change brakes, so you're saying your dealership is a ripoff...
Well, how's a autel maxicheck pro? It's a latest service tool it also has the ability to retract rear calipers on most cars and read or clear the Anti-Lock Braking System trouble codes, Steering angle sensor(SAS)functionality etc. It's not very expensive, only $155. Do you think which one is better? MD802 or checkpro? I am going to get one from obdprice.com
Plus they double the price for parts to. Even bigger ripoff.
There is OBDeleven too. It’s around $70-$100 depending on the version and basic services cost $1.50. Definitely worth it for diy VWAG owners.
Autel make a product - the Autel OBD2 Reader Diaglink - that claims to be able to put the EPB in service mode. It costs about $90 (USD). They describe it explicitly as the DIY version of their MD802. I have no links with Autel, and I haven't used this tool: but it might be worth checking out, given that it performs many other diagnoses and tests as well.
I have had a long-term problem with colds that I can't shake. I finally got a good explanation from a doctor when I went in at my girlfriend's insistence. If it lasts more than three days and you don't have a fever -- it's bronchitis. If you have a fever then it's likely the flu. If it's bronchitis then it's time for an antibiotic regimen. A "Z-Pac" -- not to be confused with a "2-Pac". So maybe Mrs. O needs a quick trip to the doctor's office.
Dang it! I hate that you have the same phone as me and when it rings in the background I start to get up or hear my wife in the background get up to get the phone - LOL!
Work around
1. Unplug
2. Unbolt motor from caliper
3. Turn splined drive in CLOCKWISE till stops.
4. Press piston in all the way just like Eric did.
Hope this helps some people!
Hey I got my SMA shirt last night. Now I can be cool like you. Lol. Go Chevy!
We have a 2016 Honda with an electronic parking brake. When doing the brakes, I remove the parking brake motor (two hex screws), then a use a big flat head screwdriver to back that piston off then re-attach it.
After the brake job is done, cycle the parking brake to clear the light on the console.
I have done this twice (two separate brake jobs) without any issue. That being said, YMMV
About 1:46, and "pain in the ass" with vw-type electrical connectors.... When you push the tab and try to disconnect socket it do not want to disconnect. It is because of design of this type sockets. When you push the tab and try to disconnect, what you do is actually blocking socket. (I know, weird)
What you should try is: press the socket down (the same way as you connecting socket) AND THEN push the tab on socket. After that it easily disconnecting.
It works with all vw-type sockets.
English is my second language, so I hope you understand, what I want to say.
Greetings from Europe:)
There are a few items out there that are app based. Carista is one that charges about $10 for use for a week and it supports the brake service. It has other decent features too that make it worth the one time charge.
WHAT!! NO BRAKE CLEAN!! Geeezzzz Eric! LoL
*Brake clean.
Thanks for spoiler alert lol
I was waiting for it I yearn for the brake clean noise Eric o. 😢
Brake Clean will probably destroy these new car sensors... lol
Those looked liked painted rotors, brake clean will just remove the paint.
MK808, I own one and YES, It does have the electric parking brake function.
Thank you, Eric, for another outstanding, educational, and entertaining video! Great content, including the jokes!
Yes, the Autel 808 pro works great on electric calipers for just over $200. It also does maintenance resets.
I would love to see Eric work on a classic VW beetle
We have musty for that!
Mate, according to other videos I've watcherd, there are 2 ways to get around using the scan tool for the electric rear parking brake. (1) spare 12 volt battery with wires and spade connectors straight on to the motor (from the connector you removed). Change polarity to confirm wind in or wind out (2) There are 2 torx bolts on the motor on the back of the caliper. Remove motor. Use a 8mm allan key bit on a ratchet to manually turn left to wind it all the way out. Reassemble motor to caliper and you are set to push in caliper. Once you finish doing the pads, you need to engage and release (cycle) the electronic brake twice from the switch inside the car. Then you are all done.
Just so you guys know, from my experience.
We have a 2016 vw Tiguan with these electric rear brakes on the calipers. Once you pull the calliper off, there are 2 T25 screws holding the electric motor on, take those out and pop there motor off, back out the t40 screw in the center then use a clamp to squeeze in calipers, replace t25 screws and you are done. No programmer needed
Not cheap, but cheaper than 1K, Foxwell i70 has a EPB service mode. Buy it from Foxwell direct you get 30 day return, 2 year warranty, and 3 yrs free update on vehicles. Not sponsored, lol! Love your channel Eric O. If I ever do my own RUclips channel gonna give you a shout out! Thank for this post.
If there's something you don't know
You gotta go ask Eric O
South Main Auto Channel is the way to go
Stick around for the SMA show!!
Yo Homie!!
Ohhhh. This is the start my friends...
Learn the battery. Service mode the ebrake. Immobilizer the chip coded key and the list goes on and on. I bought my snappy scanner with 18.2. You will need a scanner for newer cars. Computers are everywhere in cars today. Someday you will need a scan tool just to open the hood!!!
Nope, you need a $99 OBD11 bluetooth dongle for your smartphone :)
Or VCDS, which is a little more expensive, but can do more.
Would love to see more "German crap" on your channel!
If you're interested in VW/Audi repair videos, you can check out thomas exovcds channel.
I think OBD11 or VCDS are a necessity if you have a newer VW. Almost anything in the last 10 or 15 years needs software help to finish repairs.
You can do them in your yard.. just have to have a extra battery or long leads from battery. Then run positive and negative to the caliper plug and see if its going in if not reverse polarity on the pins and it'll bring the piston in hope this helps
as an electronics guy im flat sick n tired of designers using open platform or multi use designs ALL requiring regular software updates,I spend HOURS a week checking and updating software on scopes, newer multimeters and specialized test equipment . There's no reason for it other than greed and laziness.
Before I had a scan tool capable of releasing electric park brake I used to use a car battery and a set of jumpers. I have only tried this on audi but assume vw is the same. Not sure about other makes but it's possible. Just unplug connector and try touching power and ground to the caliper side of connection. If the motor sound like it does when you are setting park brake then stop. Then reverse your power and ground to change polarity. Now the motor should sound like it's turning freely. Then wait til you hear the motor stop and quickly remove power. Now you can squeeze in the caliper. After you're done changing pads and or rotors pump the brake a few times like you normally would. Then try setting park brake to make sure it works
The newer jeep cherokee and the renegade have a "break service" option on the radio. I haven't got to push the button yet.
For Volkswagen, Schwaben has a VAG only scantool that should have that function (and many others) available at ECS Tuning for $170 to $200. I think Foxwell makes it. They also have OBD11 as others have mentioned, and of course the full Foxwell 1100 to 1300 (or much more if not on sale)
Get well soon Mrs. O!
This is just a wild guess, I am not a mechanic, so take this with a pinch of salt or toss it in the round file. Maybe unplug the motor and apply the right voltage at the right polarity directly to the motor so it unwinds manually? Like with your Power Probe?
I have wondered that myself. I just need to find a scrap car where it won't matter if i destroy the parking brakes to test my theory.
Yes that works, I used to do it before i got a proper scan tool
but they are also supposed to be adapted after you change rear pads
so really should get a tool for it
Yes it works, but it doesnt get the job done 100% since the computer software also calibrates the new piston position against the new thicker pads, it also sets new max torque and outer and inner max parameters.
I'm glad you've brought this up. I had a '13 Mercedes in here 5 months ago, needed rear brakes and rotors. I had just paid $625.00 to update my OTC Genisys scan tool, and I asked the salesman specifically if the update would give me the capability of turning off the electronic e-brakes on Euro cars. He said yes.. Guess what? NO. You have to buy the Euro package update at another cool $400, that unlocks the Euro features for the e-brake feature to work. I don't see enough Eurocars to make the cost worth it. Time for a different scan tool! I sure miss the days when all a car needed was a red brick aka Snap On scanner, to fix them!
Try the new xtool D8
The newer Subaru's have the darn electric brake too... I heard you just disconnect the battery, then unplug the motor and wind the piston back in... heard this from a Subaru tech...
I was a wrecker driver back in the 90s for AAA, I was a New England born and raised boy, I think one family in our neighborhood had a VW. First time I went to change a tire on a Rabbit I think, the tire attacked me and I thought I'd pulled the studs out somehow. Took me a serious ponder to realize they were completely different from the cars I'd owned.
The worst thing about scan tools are the subscription fees and planned obsolescence, (such as when a battery dies and can't easily be replaced). I guess we shouldn't be surprised that new car manufacturers don't care about people who do their own work. Most of us never buy new vehicles, we're smarter than that.
I just doubled checked on my Autel MK808 and yes it does do Electronic Parking Brakes as a hot function for a 2011 VW Passat in an almost identical manor to your much higher priced unit. My MK808 was just over $400 when I got it on sale but its regularly around $500 on Amazon. Though if I were to buy it again I would probably opt for the MaxiTPMS TS608 for a few dollars more with Bluetooth wireless OBD2 dongle and complete TPMS functionality. For much less money I think the Autel MD808 (~$230) and the MD805 (~$170) would work too, but I cannot verify that 100% for a 2011 VW Passat .
My reliable VW brake tip, Roll down the window, Drive slowly down inclined surface of your nearest boat ramp, apply brakes when (a) VW floats or (b) water begins to enter the open window. Congratulations problem solved!
Best VW tip ever haha
Put it back on the boat to the Fatherland and drop it over the deepest part of the ocean. It’s not even worth using it as an anchor and if you did use a detachable coupling on the cable so it is a disposable anchor not worth hauling it back up. Hope my grammar is ok. What do you expect for ex- aircraft mechanic. I never really liked to read manuals anyway. Almost toasted a Saab 340 engine due to a mistake in translation from Swedish to (American English) in the engine run up test procedures. Go figure and it was a GE turboprop engine supposedly made in the good old USA.