This is starting to get ridiculous with my XJR. Just now, after getting my car washed, I get in the car and see the parkbrake fault light. It will not disengage, and the car will not drive. They disconnected the battery, and although the "brake" light went away, it's still showing a fault and will not drive. I've seen a few threads with differing opinions on this topic. Any advice? Luckily there is a shop here and They are looking at what to do next...

 

While no mechanic, the guy at the carwash suggested perhaps water got in via this:



Any thoughts? All I know is

 

At first thought s couple things I would try of the top of my head.
1- put it in neutral andtry holding down the park brake level while removing the key. This step should keep the park break disengaged after key removal. From what you describe this may not work but give it a shot.
2- carefully check all those wires for chafing, exposed wires and dry them. If they are chafed or exposed insulate them with electrical tape. Check for burned fuses. Seems like not a lot of water would have gotten to them and if there was water present hopefully it was limited just to that area.

 

Mine did the exact same thing leaving me stranded at a freinds house 30 miles from home. I spent an hour on the phone with the dealership (who where clueless). I was so tired of the silly electronic nonsense i pulled the wheel, found the parkbrake cable and chopped it with a set of bolt cutters. Its been 2 years and i havent missed the damn thing since. I do have a constant parkbrake fault warning but I just dont look at it. Lol

 

Put a scanner on it and see what the codes are would be my suggestion.

 

Hi there, I had the exact same issue with mine a few years ago
Any time I washed te car or there was heavy rain I had the Parkbrake fault issue.


I got it checked with my local Jag Indy and he found as follows
Underneath around the ear diff area there is a wire / cable that leads to the rear brakes, this chafes and wears away insulation over time exposing the wires beneath, add moisture ( as in when you wash the car etc ) and there is your problem, most likely.

I didn't even get all my wiring replaced at that point, it was a simple 10 minute job to re insulate the problem area and the issue hasn't returned in 2 years now.

I would however, still get your issue re the wiring in the bootlid area into the cabin as that won't be good either.


Hope it helps
Jim

 

So my mechanic is saying I need a new parking brake motor all together. I just find it weird that the park brake would completely go after a car wash. The frustrating part is that since I had my suspension converted a few weeks ago, my air has gone out, my key fob has stopped working electronically, and now this. Just reeks of something electronic. He ran codes and sent me the following:

 

How old is the battery? An aging battery will throw a lot of codes. If fairly new check the terminals condition. Then disconnect the ground for five minutes at the battery. The parking brake will definitely return, may reset.
Finally look at the ground posts in the trunk and the three behind the headlights. My front ones had white corrosion on all three.
All this sounds like low battery or grounds related.

 

I just talked to him on the phone, and he was saying he can tell the sound the motor is making is not normal. However, he said the car is actually driveable now, which it wasn't two days ago. I'm gonna pick it up and to be honest, wish I could just de-activate the park brake all together