The Honda Civic has an electric parking brake (EPB) system that uses an electronically controlled motor to apply and release the parking brake. Sometimes, you may see an Electric Parking Brake Problem on the screen and wonder what causes it.
The most common cause of this problem is a dirty or faulty brake console parking button. The button may not be releasing the parking brake fully, causing it to engage again after a short period. This problem can also be caused by defective wiring or a bad parking brake servo motor.
In this blog post, I will discuss the issue and provide some possible solutions.
What is Honda Electric Parking Brake?
The Honda electric parking brake (EPB) is a system that uses an electronically controlled motor to apply and release the parking brake. The EPB system is used on vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission.
How Does Honda Electric Parking Brake Work?
To activate the brake, you simply press a switch on the center console. When you want to release the parking brake, press the accelerator pedal (when wearing a seatbelt) when the gear is in Drive or Reverse. You can also just push the parking brake switch while pressing the brake pedal.
Automatic Brake Hold keeps the brakes applied when the car stops, such as at a stop sign or in heavy traffic. As a result, the driver is relieved of the constant need to press the brake pedal in order to keep the car stopped until the throttle is depressed.
What Does the Electric Parking Brake Problem Honda Civic Mean?
When you see the Electric Parking Brake Problem on the screen, it means that the parking brake is not releasing fully. As a result, the parking brake may engage again after a short period of time.
Causes of the Electric Parking Brake Problem Honda Civic
This problem can be very irritating, especially if you are rushing somewhere and now can’t move your car because the parking brake is stuck. Here is a detailed discussion of the causes of this problem.
Dirty or Faulty Console Parking Button
This switch is located on the center console and is used to engage and release the parking brake. Any liquids that spill on the button or other debris might cause it to malfunction.
You can dismantle the console and change the switch underneath if the button malfunctions. You can purchase a replacement button and switch at an auto parts store or online on Amazon or eBay.
If the button is just dirty, you can try cleaning it with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Be sure to clean all the dirt and debris off the button and the surrounding area. You should also check the wiring for any signs of wear or damage.
Defective Wiring
The parking brake system relies on several wires to function properly. Over time, these wires can become worn or damaged, causing the system to malfunction.
If you suspect that the wiring is the problem, you can take your car to a qualified mechanic or electrician to have it checked and repaired.
Bad Parking Brake Servo Motor
Your Honda Civic’s electronic parking brake system uses servo motors. The servo motor’s job is to make your car’s wheels lock up when the brake pedal is applied.
Older brake systems are said to be mechanical because they made use of cables. Modern Honda Civics’ parking brake systems function differently and employ a servo motor.
If the servo motor is defective, it can cause your car’s parking brake to engage and disengage erratically. This problem can be fixed by replacing the servo motor with a new one. Fortunately, you can easily replace these motors by going to the garage.
Thoughts
The electric parking brake system in your Honda Civic is a great feature that can make your life easier. However, like all things, it’s important to keep up with the maintenance of your EPB system. I hope this article helped you understand the electric parking brake problem Honda Civic and how to fix it.
External Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_parking_brake