Honda Civic Electric Parking Brake Problem (How To Fix)
If you’re looking at the Honda Civic brake system problem message on your dashboard, this guide is for you. If you have never encountered this error before or you’re new to cars, you might not know what it means and what action you should take. Luckily, this guide will help you out.
Honda Civic electric parking brake problem may be triggered by a variety of issues listed below:
- Bad parking brake switch
- Drained vehicle battery
- Bad alternator
- Bad servo motor
- Faulty wiring
- Blown fuse
This article discusses more in-depth details about all the potential reasons behind your Honda Civic electric parking brake error message. We’ll also discuss how to fix this problem and other helpful info you need to know about this error message.
Honda Civic Electric Parking Brake Problem causes:
The Electric Parking Brake (EPB) Problem is quite common in Honda vehicles and may have several potential causes behind it. Below, we have discussed all the potential causes to consider.
Bad parking brake switch
When you see the electric parking brake message on your vehicle infotainment screen, the number one culprit to consider is a faulty parking brake switch or button. The switch may have been damaged by the accumulation of dirt and debris around it. Accidental spilling of drinks on it will also make it malfunction.
Drained vehicle battery
Your Civic electric parking brake system relies on electrical power to function properly. If your battery is weak or dead, it might not be able to supply the system with the power it requires for proper functionality.
To confirm if a drained battery is indeed the culprit, you should look for additional signs of a dying battery such as dimming or flickering headlights, your car taking longer to start than usual, dashboard lights not turning on when you power on your car, and so on.
Bad alternator
If your Honda Civic has lately been showing signs of a weak or drained battery and you have confirmed that your battery is healthy, then you should consider a bad alternator being the culprit.
The alternator is a crucial part of your vehicle charging system as it generates the electricity needed to charge your car battery. A bad alternator will lead to a drained battery, which is a key culprit behind the EPB problem error on the screen.
Bad servo motor
As you may already know, your vehicle’s electric parking brake system features servo motors that lock the wheels of your car when you activate the brake. This is an improvement from older mechanical parking brake systems that rely on cables.
Unfortunately, if the servo motor goes bad or starts malfunctioning, it will also lead to the electric parking brake issue.
You can tell if you have a bad servo motor by listening for unusual noises whenever you engage or disengage the parking brake. If you hear any unusual clicking or grinding sounds, this could indicate the motor is defective.
Faulty wiring
A bad or loose wiring connection in your vehicle’s electric parking brake system will also cause the EPB error message to pop up on your screen. Also, bad wiring at console center as well as at clips that connect to other components like the servo motor may cause the error message.
Blown fuse
Another potential issue that may be causing the error message is a blown fuse for your vehicle’s electric parking brake system. When the fuse blows, the system will experience an inadequate power supply and this will result in a faulty EPB. Consequently, you may get an error message on your vehicle display.
Other issues that may also cause the electric parking brake in your Honda Civic include a jammed EPB motor, an electric fault within the EPB module, corroded parking brake cables, and miscommunication between the EPB module and the switches.
How to fix Honda Civic electric parking brake problem?
Now that we have discussed the most likely culprit making the Honda Civic electric parking problem appear on your vehicle infotainment screen, you may be asking yourself how you can fix these issues.
Here are the steps to follow to troubleshoot and fix each of the issues we have discussed above:
Check your electric parking brake switch
As we have said above, the parking brake switch/button is the most common culprit for this error on Honda Civics, so you should start by checking it.
Inspect it for signs of dirt and debris accumulation. If it looks dirty, you can use a soft cloth or brush to clean it.
However, this cleaning method will only work for dirt that hasn’t penetrated the interior of this assembly. If the dirt has infiltrated the system’s internal components, you may want to get a professional to do the cleaning for you.
You should also test the switch with a multimeter to ensure it’s in good working condition.
Simply disconnect the switch from its circuit and then hook a multimeter (set to Ohms) to it and check the reading. If the switch doesn’t pass the continuity test, it’s faulty and needs a replacement.
The replacement is an easy DIY task. However, if you’re not confident doing it by yourself, don’t hesitate to get a mechanic to do it for you.
Inspect the battery
Next, you’ll need to test your battery with a multimeter to ensure it’s in good working condition.
Ideally, a healthy battery should display a voltage of around 12.6V. If the multimeter displays a reading below 12V, that’s a sign you have a low battery that could be causing the electric parking brake system issues.
You can try jumpstarting your battery or recharging it to see if this will help with the problem. If your battery doesn’t hold a charge after recharge, then it’s faulty and needs a replacement.
However, if the battery holds a charge, your alternator could be the problem and needs to be checked (more details coming up below).
Note that if your battery is fine, you should consider checking its terminals for corrosion and faults in the connections such as loose connections.
These issues can easily disrupt the proper flow of electricity power to the braking system. Clean any corrosion present and secure loose connections.
Check the alternator
If you have noticed your battery does not keep a charge and it’s in perfect working condition, you should check the condition of your vehicle alternator.
You can do this by testing the alternator with a multimeter set to Volts DC. Next, start your vehicle ignition and allow it to run for some time.
Measure the alternator voltage output. If it outputs anything below 13V, then your car charging system is defective.
The issue could be corroded brushes/slip rings, a broken internal regulator, or a faulty voltage regulator. Worn-out belt tensioners could also affect the power system.
Alternator-related repairs can be complex, so you’ll need to seek the help of a qualified Honda technician.
They’ll check your Civic power system and repair or replace the defective parts to restore proper alternator functionality.
Examine the wiring
You’ll need to visually inspect your Honda Civic electric parking brake system wiring for any signs of wear, loose connections, or corroded connections.
If you come across any dirty connectors or wires, be sure to clean them with a soft cloth.
However, any corroded or worn-out wires should be replaced with new ones
However, if you’re not confident examining your vehicle wiring, you may want to get a qualified mechanic to do it for you.
They’ll make use of a multimeter to check the wiring for continuity. This method helps accurately detect any wiring faults present and fix them as necessary.
Check the servo motor
If you have a bad servo motor, then you’ll need to replace it with a new one. You can choose to do this fix on your own or you can get a certified auto mechanic to do it for you.
Test the blown fuses
Consult your Civic owner’s manual on the exact location of the electric parking brake fuse. Now use a fuse tester or inspect the fuse visually to determine if it’s blown.
If the fuse is blown, then you’ll need to replace it with a new one that bears the same amperage as the old one.
And if the new fuse blows shortly after, then there could be an underlying issue within this circuit that needs to be diagnosed by a professional.
What does it mean when my Honda says electric parking brake problem?
The electric parking brake problem error on your Honda Civic is your vehicle computer system trying to alert you that it has detected an issue with the EPB system.
The system helps engage or disengage your vehicle parking brake with the help of an electric motor as opposed to the traditional mechanical lever.
Getting this message on your vehicle display could mean your system is experiencing issues like a faulty brake switch, malfunctioning brake actuator, issues with the sensors and wiring in the system, etc.
When you get this error message, we advise you to take action as soon as possible to diagnose and fix the underlying issues. This will ensure your electric parking brake stays in good working condition at all times.
Why you’re getting Honda Civic electric parking brake problem message and the car won’t start
If you’re getting an electric parking brake problem error and your car won’t start, you could be having a stuck electronic parking brake.
This has several potential culprits such as loose wiring, battery issues, or a dirty electric parking brake button.
In this case, we advise you to troubleshoot the EPB system for these potential causes. Once you find the exact cause, you can go ahead and fix it to see if the problem goes away.
If the problem persists, tow your vehicle to a qualified mechanic for professional diagnosis and repair.
How do you reset your Honda Civic electric parking brake?
After successfully resolving the underlying issue that made the message error appear on your dash, you can then go ahead and reset the EPB to get rid of the message on your dash.
Follow these steps to successfully reset your Honda Civic electric parking brake:
Step 1. Start by parking your vehicle on a level surface. Now turn on the ignition and depress your brake pedal.
Step 2. Find the electric parking brake switch. Press and hold the switch button until the brake warning light starts flashing on the instrument panel. Continue holding this button until the flash disappears.
Step 3. Now release this switch and press it again. Your parking brake should now be reset and you shouldn’t see the error on the dash again.
Note that these are generalized instructions for resetting the EPB. For more instructions on how to reset your Civic’s EPB, be sure to consult your user manual.
Can you drive your Honda Civic with electric parking brake problem?
We don’t advise you to drive your Honda Civic with the electric parking brake problem until the underlying issue has been resolved.
Depending on the underlying issue, driving your vehicle with a faulty EPB cannot only be dangerous but may also cause further damage to your vehicle.
The EPB is a crucial safety feature in your car that helps preempt your car from rolling when parked and increases the risk of a crash. It also offers additional stopping power in case of an emergency.
If you’re facing an electric parking brake problem in your Honda Civic, you’re not alone in navigating vehicle challenges. Additionally, there are other issues that might arise in your Honda Civic, like the wrench light appearing on your dashboard. For insights into resolving the wrench light issue, our article on how to reset the wrench light on Honda Civic provides step-by-step instructions. Moreover, if you’re experiencing brake light problems after changing a bulb, our article on brake light not working after changing bulb offers troubleshooting tips. By understanding these various concerns and their solutions, you can maintain your Honda Civic in optimal condition.Conclusion
Getting a “Honda Civic Electric Parking Brake Problem” message on your vehicle dash can make you freak out. However, undertaking the potential causes behind it will help you troubleshoot and resolve this issue. The key culprits range from a faulty parking brake switch, drained vehicle battery, faulty wiring, or bad electric parking brake servo motor.
Follow the troubleshooting advice in the above guide to help you easily pinpoint the exact cause and resolve this problem. If you are unable to fix this issue on your own, don’t hesitate to consult a professional Honda mechanic for accurate diagnosis and repair of your car.
