Dude thank you. Your explanation and clarity that the cable just needs more force was exactly what I needed to know. Car is now driveable. Now if only I could be confident I’m doing the “reset” procedure to confirm it’s a permanent failure and not just a fluke.
If the actuator has to be replaced anyway, you can drill into the actuator to sever the brake cable, use an 8mm drill bit and drill into the threaded portion where the cable would be on the same side as the electrical connection
duuuuude!!!!! your tip with the rubber mallet leverage worked for me, I had applied as much force with the car's jack L tool that is in the back, but then I saw this, got a rubber mallet to place and got a hammer (used the nail pulling part of it to pull the cable and the rubber mallet as leverage to pull... after much force it snapped and the break was released! I was about to cut the wires that came from the box underneath. Thanks!!
I had the same issues as you all, message on screen, dining warning, red and orange brake light continuously on the dash. I tried all the fixes mentioned here and on youtube with no success. Then purely by chance and frustration I had the car in drive crawling very slowly and I simply turned the engine off which stpped the car suddenly and automatically engaged the parking brake. When I turned it back on NO WARNINGS, NO DINGING. NO ISSUES. Everything had reset itself and is working perfectly!!!!! That was 2 weeks ago and it is still working as it should. I can't go back and do it again but maybe someone would like to try and confirm or deny? Good luck as I know how frustrating this issue is.
Our sister hit a mailbox and didn't do much damage. Just messed up rent right headlight and fender some but it's a 08 x5 and it keeps saying Parking brake malfunction and keeps putting the suv into neutral. Didnfine driving home with it but went to go get tires put on it and it started doing that and we've tried resetting everything with no luck.
Hello- it depends, I didn't have to. I bought mine from RockAUto, it was an aftermarket but brand new from an OEM Supplier so it came ready to install. If you buy remanufactured from eBay, you may have to . Check out INPA videos if you want to know how to program. Hope it helps. Regards
Hi! I have a serious problem with my emergency parking. It has locked seven times in the past few weeks. All BMW does is reset the break and tell me that the computer does not find anything else wrong However, it keeps happening. First it starts with a whining sound when I unlock the car ... sounds like the cable is being rolled and it slaps against the actual body of the car , like a slap sound. It actually tensions the cable, but I assume is not calibrated. In fact, the cable flew out of the trunk hole due to this tension and ended up on the floor. BMW can't find the reason. Any ideas?
Hi barpaza, I am surprised that BMW hasn't recommended to replace the parking break actuator (which is BTW a very expense repair). I have tried the repair route but I will be honest its difficult and doesn't work. A good middle ground is to buy an OEM/Aftermarket actuator. Try Rock Auto if you are in USA. They have something for around $300-400 and comes with warranty. I used the same and its working for now. Also while you are at it, replace the parking break shoes as well just in case they are worn out. These are pretty affordable. hope it helps. Regards
Dude thank you. Your explanation and clarity that the cable just needs more force was exactly what I needed to know. Car is now driveable. Now if only I could be confident I’m doing the “reset” procedure to confirm it’s a permanent failure and not just a fluke.
no problem bro
If the actuator has to be replaced anyway, you can drill into the actuator to sever the brake cable, use an 8mm drill bit and drill into the threaded portion where the cable would be on the same side as the electrical connection
I have watched quite a number of videos on this issue but only this assist me in correcting the problem, thanks very helpful.
No Problem!
duuuuude!!!!! your tip with the rubber mallet leverage worked for me, I had applied as much force with the car's jack L tool that is in the back, but then I saw this, got a rubber mallet to place and got a hammer (used the nail pulling part of it to pull the cable and the rubber mallet as leverage to pull... after much force it snapped and the break was released! I was about to cut the wires that came from the box underneath.
Thanks!!
Beautifulllllll...silly how something like that would just work right? glad it helped, I know it can be a pain!
I been without my car for 2 days I pray this work!!!
I had the same issues as you all, message on screen, dining warning, red and orange brake light continuously on the dash. I tried all the fixes mentioned here and on youtube with no success. Then purely by chance and frustration I had the car in drive crawling very slowly and I simply turned the engine off which stpped the car suddenly and automatically engaged the parking brake. When I turned it back on NO WARNINGS, NO DINGING. NO ISSUES. Everything had reset itself and is working perfectly!!!!! That was 2 weeks ago and it is still working as it should. I can't go back and do it again but maybe someone would like to try and confirm or deny? Good luck as I know how frustrating this issue is.
This fix got me back on the road. Thank you!
excellent explanation and demonstration. thank you i fix my x5 problem.
You're welcome!
I used the red tool in the trunk and pulled the cable with two hands then a huge pop noise release the parking brake.
How hard did you pull??
Our sister hit a mailbox and didn't do much damage. Just messed up rent right headlight and fender some but it's a 08 x5 and it keeps saying Parking brake malfunction and keeps putting the suv into neutral. Didnfine driving home with it but went to go get tires put on it and it started doing that and we've tried resetting everything with no luck.
Good tip on releasing it. Thanks
No Problem!
Thank you so much. It’s really useful。
No Problem!
Once you instal a new actuator, do you need to get it synchronised with the computer?
Hello- it depends, I didn't have to. I bought mine from RockAUto, it was an aftermarket but brand new from an OEM Supplier so it came ready to install. If you buy remanufactured from eBay, you may have to . Check out INPA videos if you want to know how to program. Hope it helps. Regards
Hi! I have a serious problem with my emergency parking. It has locked seven times in the past few weeks. All BMW does is reset the break and tell me that the computer does not find anything else wrong
However, it keeps happening. First it starts with a whining sound when I unlock the car ... sounds like the cable is being rolled and it slaps against the actual body of the car , like a slap sound. It actually tensions the cable, but I assume is not calibrated.
In fact, the cable flew out of the trunk hole due to this tension and ended up on the floor. BMW can't find the reason. Any ideas?
Hi barpaza, I am surprised that BMW hasn't recommended to replace the parking break actuator (which is BTW a very expense repair). I have tried the repair route but I will be honest its difficult and doesn't work. A good middle ground is to buy an OEM/Aftermarket actuator. Try Rock Auto if you are in USA. They have something for around $300-400 and comes with warranty. I used the same and its working for now. Also while you are at it, replace the parking break shoes as well just in case they are worn out. These are pretty affordable. hope it helps. Regards
Very helpfullllll
thank you!