Auto Hold Retrofit

[lordshin808]

Originally Posted by absentmathis

Sorry to hear that. Apparently I was wrong about the parking brake serving as the hold mechanism, but the two are related. As I mentioned in one of these posts, I was able to get mine rebuilt for a much more palatable number than a new part. Some have reported wiring problems, but that wasn't the case for me.

thanks. I'm gonna see i can totally disable the electronic parking brake so I don't have to see that PARK light on my dash. Like i said, I never use the parking brake and definitely don't need Auto Hold. It was a cheap and easy retrofit. I don't want to spend $800-$1000 on a new actuator when I hardly use the damn thing.

[bmrboi2]

Its probably got something to do with not using the parking brake for 2 years that had something to do with it. In every vehicle, all the time, unless they are stored for the season the parking brake gets used. Knock on wood, I have never had a failed or broken cable or one that ceased. I am a firm believer of using everything all the time on my vehicle. I have noticed less issues arrive with regular use vs using things sporadically. Just my $.02.

[lordshin808]

Originally Posted by bmrboi2

Its probably got something to do with not using the parking brake for 2 years that had something to do with it. In every vehicle, all the time, unless they are stored for the season the parking brake gets used. Knock on wood, I have never had a failed or broken cable or one that ceased. I am a firm believer of using everything all the time on my vehicle. I have noticed less issues arrive with regular use vs using things sporadically. Just my $.02.

You're probably right about not using it. Now that I think about it's more like 3-4 years. I never used the parking parking even before the switch broke.

maybe I should start using my panoramic sunroof more. hahaha

[bmrboi2]

Originally Posted by lordshin808

maybe I should start using my panoramic sunroof more. hahaha

Oh God don't get me started on that goddamn thing.

[lordshin808]

Originally Posted by bmrboi2

Oh God don't get me started on that goddamn thing.

sounds like I better keep the sunroof closed to be safe huh?

[bmrboi2]

Originally Posted by lordshin808

sounds like I better keep the sunroof closed to be safe huh?

Nah this winter it went nuts and opened fully in 12 degree weather on my way to work while it was snowing. That was a fun drive. I left it in the parking garage, closed it at lunch and it has operated normally ever since....German Gremlins.

[boostedX5SAV]

Originally Posted by bmrboi2

Its probably got something to do with not using the parking brake for 2 years that had something to do with it. In every vehicle, all the time, unless they are stored for the season the parking brake gets used. Knock on wood, I have never had a failed or broken cable or one that ceased. I am a firm believer of using everything all the time on my vehicle. I have noticed less issues arrive with regular use vs using things sporadically. Just my $.02.

It's a mixed bag. I've used mine almost every time I park the car and had mine fail, luckily during warranty. I don't know if I'll be using it again since roads are relatively flat and the actuator is expensive.

[Dave A]

Originally Posted by lordshin808

Maybe doing this retrofit and using Auto Hold wasn't such a great idea after all. It was working great for a couple of days and all of a sudden I "PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION" while driving to work this morning. The orange Park light is ON.

I'm in Houston and the land around here is flat as a pancake so I never even use the Electronic Parking Brake. The switch actually broke 2 years ago and I just left it like that until now. I thought I try out this Auto Hold feature, but didn't expect it will cause the "PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION" just after couple days of using it.

I have been considering this retrofit on a 2007 E70 for a while - this is the first time I've come across anyone that's done it.

I assumed it wasn't possible without major work. Just changing the switch sounds nice and simple and I am very tempted... However - I don't want to damage the currently working system obviously!

Have you established what caused your failure? Was it related to doing this retrofit or was it just because you've not used it in years as has been suggested? Thanks for any opinion...

[lordshin808]

Originally Posted by Dave A

I have been considering this retrofit on a 2007 E70 for a while - this is the first time I've come across anyone that's done it.

I assumed it wasn't possible without major work. Just changing the switch sounds nice and simple and I am very tempted... However - I don't want to damage the currently working system obviously!

Have you established what caused your failure? Was it related to doing this retrofit or was it just because you've not used it in years as has been suggested? Thanks for any opinion...

I don't think doing the retrofit caused the failure.

Auto Hold was working perfectly for a couple of days. Like I said, I didn't used the parking brake for several years. I think it's just a coincidence that I'm getting the Parking Brake Malfunction when I did. Probably the failure was caused by age, weather, dirt, etc.. who really knows.

From reading this forum and others, the braking brake actuator failure is a common problem rather or not you use the braking brake on a regular basis.

I have not actually removed the actuator to investigate the problem any further.

If your parking brake is functioning well now, I think you can go ahead and buy the new switch and do the retrofit. Auto Hold is a great feature and worked well. It did help take some stress off my leg.

I just don't want to spend the time and money ($800) to fix the actuator.

Good luck

[Dave A]

Thanks for that. I may well give it a go...! If it causes a failure I'll report back but fingers crossed it won't. Parts and labour are very pricey here in Switzerland...

Originally Posted by lordshin808

I don't think doing the retrofit caused the failure.

Auto Hold was working perfectly for a couple of days. Like I said, I didn't used the parking brake for several years. I think it's just a coincidence that I'm getting the Parking Brake Malfunction when I did. Probably the failure was caused by age, weather, dirt, etc.. who really knows.

From reading this forum and others, the braking brake actuator failure is a common problem rather or not you use the braking brake on a regular basis.

I have not actually removed the actuator to investigate the problem any further.

If your parking brake is functioning well now, I think you can go ahead and buy the new switch and do the retrofit. Auto Hold is a great feature and worked well. It did help take some stress off my leg.

I just don't want to spend the time and money ($800) to fix the actuator.

Good luck