Brake system fault when battery low

[Miserablegit]

EDIT: It needed a software update to the ABS system. ignore what is written below- the only way to fix is to take it to a dealer.


I forgot to plug the car into the trickle charger for a week and when I went to use it this fault appeared.
I understand it has happened to a few other cars and the fault is fixed at the dealer.

For those who have had this fault fixed by the dealer please can you let me know what they did- did they replace the battery ? How long did the repair take?

I called my dealer and was advised to try charging the battery - I disconnected the battery and charged it until charger said it was at capacity. I then reconnected the battery all to no avail- fault is still there - I can move the car and the brake pedal still responds.

Has anyone fixed this at home - I'm trying to avoid the hassle of getting it to and from the dealer.

Many thanks

Edited by Miserablegit on Saturday 18th December 17:25

[Iceblue]

Miserablegit said:

I forgot to plug the car into the trickle charger for a week and when I went to use it this fault appeared.
I understand it has happened to a few other cars and the fault is fixed at the dealer.

For those who have had this fault fixed by the dealer please can you let me know what they did- did they replace the battery ? How long did the repair take?

I called my dealer and was advised to try charging the battery - I disconnected the battery and charged it until charger said it was at capacity. I then reconnected the battery all to no avail- fault is still there - I can move the car and the brake pedal still responds.

Has anyone fixed this at home - I'm trying to avoid the hassle of getting it to and from the dealer.

Many thanks

Had this warning (Brake system error) last winter whilst driving thought it was a abs sensor etc. as car still drove normally. Apparently like you say can be caused by a low battery voltage even though I had just driven 15 miles.
Had the software reset at Alpine about 45mins been fine ever since.

[Life110]

I wonder if this is just electronic parking brake calibration as it puts up the same brake error on the dash. It's easy to reset, I'll dig out the procedure to test it.

[AlpineGuy]

Some fault codes need to erased via the clip diagnostic tool before they clear.
This is possibly that.
Also some abs units have a software update to be applied to clear some ‘incorrectly ‘ shown faults.

Like most cars now days.

Probably worth getting to your location dealer .

[Miserablegit]

Life110 said:

I wonder if this is just electronic parking brake calibration as it puts up the same brake error on the dash. It's easy to reset, I'll dig out the procedure to test it.

That would be wonderful if you could - I’ve already purchased your alloy Dzus fasteners for when I can use the car again!

[Miserablegit]

AlpineGuy said:

Some fault codes need to erased via the clip diagnostic tool before they clear.
This is possibly that.
Also some abs units have a software update to be applied to clear some ‘incorrectly ‘ shown faults.

Like most cars now days.

Probably worth getting to your location dealer .

My car has been in for 3 services - at least 2 of those after the faults first appeared on other cars - I’d like to think the software is up to date.
One of the downsides of alpine ownership is it’s a ball ache to get a car to a dealer. My supplying dealer is about 2.5 hrs away.

[Miserablegit]

Iceblue said:

Had this warning (Brake system error) last winter whilst driving thought it was a abs sensor etc. as car still drove normally. Apparently like you say can be caused by a low battery voltage even though I had just driven 15 miles.
Had the software reset at Alpine about 45mins been fine ever since.

Many thanks- if I need it then hopefully they could do it while I wait as a return journey without a car is akin to planes trains and automobiles

[Miserablegit]

Life110 said:

I wonder if this is just electronic parking brake calibration as it puts up the same brake error on the dash. It's easy to reset, I'll dig out the procedure to test it.

I don’t suppose you’ve managed to find the details have you please - in the words of Princess Leia - “you’re my only hope” before I have to admit defeat and get it to a dealer with a recovery service.

Many thanks

[Life110]

This is the full park brake calibration and rear pad swap process. It puts up the same error on the dash when uncalibrated, and makes me think it could be the only thing sensitive to a flat battery?

Seems long winded but actually easy once you are used to it. The car has to be on flat ground to do it.

With car in Park and all doors shut press start/stop without foot on the brake to turn the ignition on
Depress brake pedal and push down park brake button to release park brake
Release button and brake pedal
Depress brake pedal
Depress throttle pedal whilst keeping brake depressed, maintain pressure on both pedals
Press down on the parking brake button and hold it down until the red light on it begins to flash
Release the park brake button and both pedals
With red light still flashing push down on the park brake button
You will hear the park brake whirr for a long time as it fully releases and goes into service mode. The car will make an audible ding and you will get a brake error message
Simply open the driver's door to turn off the ignition and then you can do the rear pad change.

Once all bolted up reset the parking brake as follows:
Pump the brake pedal to push the pads back to the disc
With car in Park and all doors shut press start/stop without foot on the brake to turn the ignition on
The red light on the parking brake lever should still be flashing
Depress brake pedal
Depress throttle pedal whilst keeping brake depressed, maintain pressure on both pedals
Pull up on the parking brake lever whilst keeping the pedals depressed. You will hear the parking brake whirr as it recalibrates its position and the red light will stop flashing
Release foot pedals and parking brake button
Depress brake pedal and pull up park brake button to put the park brake on and confirm its function, red light will come on

[Miserablegit]

That was incredibly kind of you_ thank you.

I’ve been trying it for the last 50mins and it does as you
say except the last point - putting the handbrake on- results in the light flashing again - not solid.

[Miserablegit]

Booked in at dealer for a week’s time. Hope they are able to fix it while I wait…
Now to face the RAC and try to book a recovery for a week’s time…
Thanks for your help all.

[Miserablegit]

Alpine guy was correct- it was a software update needed. Quite ticked off it wasn’t done at last service as it’s been a massive inconvenience but it’s done now and was wonderful to drive back despite the traffic.
I’m sure every time it goes to a dealer they remove another exhaust baffle and add a few more hp
Thanks for all the assistance. hope this thread is of use to someone else

[Liam22]

Kudos to David for the calibration procedure - thank you.