Honda CRV Electric Parking Brake Problem (Causes And Fixes)
One of the most commonly experienced problems by Honda CRV owners is the Honda CRV electric parking brake problem. If this is your first time seeing this error on your vehicle screen, you may be looking for answers on what it is all about and what action you should take. This guide will share helpful details about this issue.
Honda CRV electric parking brake problem error is mostly triggered by a dirty or malfunctioning parking brake switch. However, there are other potential causes to consider such as a weak or dead battery, faulty servo motor, blown fuse, or faulty wiring for the electric parking brake system.
This article will enlighten you on what it means when your Honda CRV says electric parking brake problem. We’ll discuss all the potential causes to consider when this issue happens and how to troubleshoot and fix it.
What causes Honda CRV electric parking brake problem?
Below, we discuss more details about each of the potential culprits behind the electric parking brake problem and how you can potentially fix the issue.
Malfunctioning parking brake switch
The most common cause of the Honda CR V electric brake problem is a dirty or bad parking brake switch. This switch simply activates or deactivates your electric parking brake.
Over time, as you continue using the switch, dirt, grime, debris, etc., can trigger it to malfunction. If you accidentally spill a drink on the switch, it will also start to malfunction.
When the switch goes bad, it will display key symptoms such as causing your parking brake light to stay on. The switch may also release on its own.
Solution: You can try cleaning your switch or even replacing it with a new one if it’s already damaged.
If you suspect your switch is failing, you may also consider scanning your car computer for trouble codes related to the electric parking brake system.
In case the item is bad, the scanner will return DTC C1120-14—this indicates you have a faulty parking brake switch.
A new parking brake switch is readily available online and you can get one from a dealer, auto parts store, or online stores at around $70 to $90.
You can do the installation on your own or you can get it done by a qualified technician (of course, at a small fee).
If you opt to do it on your own, here are the key steps to follow:
Step 1. Turn off your vehicle and ensure your key fob stays out of range
Step 2. Get inside your vehicle and remove the trim piece surrounding your gear selector. To do so, try prying up this piece from the bottom while you wiggle it so it comes off easily.
Step 3. Now take off the climate control panel. You may need to use some force at the right and left end to make it come off.
Step 4. Once you have removed these two pieces, you’ll now have access to the wiring harness sitting underneath your parking brake. Simply disconnect this harness.
Step 5. Remove the old parking brake switch assembly. Locate the two Philip screws holding it in place and unscrew them to get it out.
Step 6. Install your new electric parking brake switch and screw it in place. Reconnect the wiring harness. Put the trim and climate control panel back on.
Step 7. Finally, check if your new parking brake switch engages and disengages properly. Also, check whether the error message has disappeared.
Here’s a helpful video showing you how to replace your Honda CRV electric parking brake switch:
Video:
Weak or dead battery
Another common reason you may be getting the electric parking brake problem message on your dash is due to a weak or dead car battery. This is due to failed power supply to your vehicle parking brake system, thus triggering the error message.
When you try to turn on your car’s ignition or start the engine and your car battery has low voltage, the brake system will malfunction. As a result, the brake pedal will kick back when your Honda electric brakes reset.
Solution: To address this issue, you’ll first need to test the battery voltage by hooking it to a multimeter set to Voltage. If the voltage reads around 12.4V, your battery is healthy.
However, if your battery displays a voltage below 12V, then it’s low on charge and needs to be recharged.
Sometimes your battery could be weak or dead and won’t charge, so you’ll need to replace it.
You also want to check whether you have a bad alternator or faulty charging system that could be making the battery stay low.
If the battery is fine, you may want to inspect your power supply unit for loose connections and secure them.
If you can’t see any visible signs of issues with this unit, have a mechanic inspect it for you. If the unit is bad, they may recommend replacing it with a new one.
Faulty parking brake motor
You may also be getting the electric parking brake problem in your Honda CR-V due to a worn-out servo motor.
This motor is one of the key components of your vehicle braking system and is attached to rotors. It helps lock the wheels when you apply the brakes.
While older vehicle models with mechanical brake systems rely on cables, the newer models use servo motors to control your parking brake.
If the motor becomes damaged or faulty, it will cause the electric brake to malfunction, and you’ll likely get the error message on your vehicle screen.
Solution: If the servo motor goes bad, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. The replacement process is pretty much a DIY task and you can do it with the right guide.
However, if you’re not confident doing it by yourself, don’t hesitate to consult a professional.
Faulty wiring
Your Honda CRV may also be having loose or faulty connections, which will also create problems with your parking brake system.
For instance, the wiring in the console center and any clip connecting to other braking system components e.g. the servo motor could be loose or faulty.
The problem with loose wiring is that it creates miscommunication between the electric parking brake module and the switch.
Worn-out connectors or corroded cables usually result in bad connections that cause the electric parking brake problem.
Still at it, you may be having a blown fuse that may be causing issues with the fuses in your engine bay as well as inside your vehicle.
Not to forget, bad ground may also be the culprit. A good ground connection is crucial for proper electrical power flow.
If your vehicle grounding is bad, it will create fluctuations in voltage or consistent electrical signals—resulting in your electric parking brake system behaving erratically.
Solution: Wiring-related issues may be a bit challenging to diagnose if you don’t have the know-how plus the necessary tools.
Therefore, we advise you to visit a mechanic or your dealership to have them perform the diagnosis and recommend the best fixes for the underlying issue, if any.
How to fix Honda CRV electric parking brake problem?
To fix your Honda CR-V electric parking brake problem, you’ll first need to identify the exact issue that triggered this error message on your Honda CRV dashboard.
We have already discussed the most common causes above and how to fix them, so we won’t go into the details again.
You’ll need to check the parking brake switch, the battery voltage level, check the servo motors, and inspect your parking brake wiring.
If any of these parts are problematic, perform the necessary repairs or replacements to fix them and clear the error message.
However, keep in mind that troubleshooting and fixing your vehicle parking brake system issue can be challenging and requires a lot of caution.
If you’re unsure how to troubleshoot the various parts or you encounter difficulties when doing it, don’t hesitate to consult a qualified Honda auto technician.
Alternatively, you can take your car to the dealership (especially if it’s still under warranty) for them to look into the issue and fix it for you.
If you’re grappling with the Honda CR-V electric parking brake problem, you’re not alone in facing vehicle challenges. Similar issues might arise in other Honda models, such as the Honda Accord, and there could be other specific concerns like a Honda Civic that won’t start but has power. Our articles on Honda Accord AC not working and Honda Civic won’t start but has power provide valuable insights into addressing AC and starting-related problems specific to these vehicles. Understanding the complexities of AC malfunctions or starting issues can empower you to troubleshoot effectively.FAQs:
When your Honda says electric parking brake problem, it’s trying to alert you that you have an issue with your parking brake system.
The system usually involves several components including the parking brake switch, caliper, servo motors, and wiring.
The switch or the button is usually the one that goes bad and triggers this message, though the other parts may also be affected.
Resetting your parking brake system may help rule out the possibility of the error message coming on due to automatic activation. Follow these steps to reset your Honda CRV parking brake system:
Step 1. Engage the brake pedal to stop your car
Step 2. Shift the gear sector lever to N (Neutral)
Step 3. Turn off your vehicle ignition and then press and hold the parking brake switch for approx. 2 seconds.
The automatic activation is now suspended and you can restart your car to see if the issue has been fixed.
We recommend doing this reset procedure before you move on to troubleshoot any of the parts we have discussed above.
We do not recommend you drive your Honda with an electric parking brake problem.
This is because the parking brake is an important safety feature in your vehicle that affects your ability to bring your car to a stop.
Driving with a failing parking brake may also cause damage to other parts of your vehicle and endangers the safety of the vehicle occupants.
Just make sure you fix the issue before driving your car again.
Conclusion
Your Honda CRV’s electric parking brake problem may be triggered by a variety of factors such as a malfunctioning parking brake switch, a weak or dead battery, a faulty servo motor, faulty wiring, a blown fuse, or even a bad ground connection. When any of these parts experiences issues, your vehicle computer will detect the irregularities and display the error message on your screen to alert you of a potential problem.
By troubleshooting each of these potential causes, you’ll easily uncover the exact culprit behind the parking brake error on your vehicle screen. You can then perform the necessary repairs to make your parking brake resume normal functioning. If you’re unable to diagnose your vehicle’s parking brake problem, we advise you to seek assistance from a qualified Honda auto technician.
