handbrake's mind of its own

[GeoBog]

Mine doesn't seem to do that, on the contrary, on a couple of occasions it didn't disengage, I had to release it manually. There was also a message on the MFD, apply brake before disengaging.

[Mohsin]

Apologies for this sounding stupid, but is your clutch fully down? Its just that it sounds familiar to a situation I have been in a few times where like you, felt like the handbrake disengaged on its own without me doing anything. However, came to realize that I have ever so slightly raised the clutch unknowingly whilst doing something else i.e. putting seat belt on and hence, the hand brake disengages as it thinks you are trying to move off. I am talking a very small movement, not enough to move the car.

[GrahamFR]

my handbrake struggles to disengage just using the clutch, i often have to blip the throttle to get it off. But I do wonder if the times its done it im in reverse... hmm another thing to try. But regardless, I get the message every time it lets go and I shouldnt if everything was normal imo. Remember its telling me to release the parking brake manually, even though it releases it automatically...?

[Mohsin]

Oh yeah of course, the message...hmm strange one...

[KyleB]

Although my car is a manual GTD without keyless (so complete opposite of yours) my handbrake doesn't disengage automatically if I start the car without my seatbelt on. However if I take my seatbelt off the handbrake will automatically apply if I'm stopped.

[GrahamFR]

yeah mine does all that, in fact since writing this post its stopped doing the fault, maybe ive scared the gremlin away, we shall see lol

[remlapeel]

This is a weird error. I have a keyless manual aswell and pretty much do what you are doing. Im parked on a hill and start the car without my belt on, as soon as the belt is on the handbrake will disengage, although I do have to use a touch of right foot to get it moving otherwise the brake will hold and then jump forward.

[GrahamFR]

This is a weird error. I have a keyless manual aswell and pretty much do what you are doing. Im parked on a hill and start the car without my belt on, as soon as the belt is on the handbrake will disengage, although I do have to use a touch of right foot to get it moving otherwise the brake will hold and then jump forward.

You beat me to it Rem. Been thinking its not really done it since I posted this on here, but yesterday it did to me twice without me paying attention and then the third time I worked out what I was doing. Like you, I get in, turn the car on, everything is fine but as soon as I put my belt in it disengages the handbrake but I dont have to use any right foot, its already set off on its own adventure lol! Hopefully I will be able to reproduce this next time I go for a service, but glad im not alone. Im convinced it hasnt always done this!

[fredgroves]

When you say the brake comes off, what colour is the handbrake light at each stage? Red is "park" and green is "hold assist".

Maybe looking at that might give you a clue as to what is happening.

I am certain btw the VW dealer will tell you that you should have your seatbelt on before starting the car, because that is what the Germans intended and no German would be as dangerous as this! It is verboten!

[GrahamFR]

When you say the brake comes off, what colour is the handbrake light at each stage? Red is "park" and green is "hold assist".

Maybe looking at that might give you a clue as to what is happening.

I am certain btw the VW dealer will tell you that you should have your seatbelt on before starting the car, because that is what the Germans intended and no German would be as dangerous as this! It is verboten!

the handbrake is red, youve just started the car afterall. And the im not questioning the need for a seatbelt, im questioning why my car turns its own handbrake off for the laugh when i put my seatbelt on, it doesnt go from red to green, it goes from red to feck all. I get in the car, strap in and then it starts rolling down a hill, i haven't touched anything else, and this is not how the germans intended, in the beginning I nearly rolled into the garage every morning!