Mechanic broke the parking brake?
 

It's my first post in this Forum as I've just bought my 2010 V70, 2.4D few weeks ago. So I am taking this chance to say "hi" to everyone ;)

The story is: I wanted to replace brake pads and discs and to do so brought my car to an independent mechanic. During the job I was told that the parking brake is faulty due to electric engine failure in the rear left wheel (the car is equipped with EPB).

So the outcome is: on receiving the car from the mechanic I got the infamous message on my dashboard saying "Parking brake service required". Parking brake works using only right wheel system (I assume) and I've noticed increased "play" - the car moves back/forward few centimeters after the parking brake is engaged - this wasn't the case before.

And finally guy quoted me with almost £300 for new caliper and motor.

Is it likely that it might have been the mechanic who broke it as there were no problems with the EPB before? After reading other topics I think that it might be the case that he didn't use proper tools to put the brakes into "service mode" first.
I wonder if it may be the case that this is only "software" issue and might be resolved with some sort of a reset?

I am looking for an advice on how to proceed with this. Cheers :)

It should show up on Vida and a time scale on when it started ect... Also why a full new caliper and motor? The motor can we removed so the caliper could have been saved?

I'd look for signs of the motor being taken off the caliper.

Depends what bit of the Caliper is broken. It is easy to say it was working fine before he touched it so he needs to fix it but he is likely to tell you where to go. You now have choices
1. You can believe him and pay up for a new caliper.
2. tell him he broke it and give him a chance to fix it. you will need to do this in writing so you can prove you gave him a chance if he tells you to do one.
3.take it somewhere that will confirm it was broken by him and give him a last chance to fix it. Good luck though, I think you will struggle to get someone and it may cost more than getting it fixed.
4. Do number 3 then get it fixed elsewhere and take him to small claims court.
5. Just get it done elsewhere. Here is a link to a refurbished caliper for £90. Double check it is the right one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/O-E-Volvo...UAAOSw9NdXwtGT

Do you know how it's broken?

The easiest way to do the job is to wind the motors back with a pp9 battery and 2 fly leads, assuming VIDA not available. Trying to remove the motor is fine if the 2 Torx bolts come undone, mine would not.

Disconnect the plug on the caliper, crimp a spade connector to 2 pieces of wire and push onto the exposed terminals on the motor, bare the other ends and hold onto the terminals of the pp9 battery, if motor pushe's the pads out reverse the conections on the battery. Once motor fully rewound push piston back into caliper, fit new pads and reconnect the plug you disconnected at the start of the job. Apply handbrake and after first application which will take longer than usual all should be good.

For it to not work then the motor is either not connected, not fixed to the caliper or has somehow failed electrically, which may be coincidental or the result of bodging. Pulling the wheel off will quickly show mechanical damage or disconnection, the plug should only fit one way and a simple test lamp will confirm power to the plug.

Paul.

To find out if he broke it will cost you and chance of claiming will be slim.
I would have a Google for another garage and get their advice. You may have a brake specialist nearby who maybe able to recondition your old one if it is broke and not another problem.

Thanks for all the replies so far. I think I will just probably take the car to someone else to get it done.

I'm still not sure about the dashboard warning (probably a little bit of a newbie question) - does it require VIDA to be cleared? Or, assuming everything is done right with the brakes, it will turn off by itself?

You will required the right software to clear it. Usually people will use Vida or an alternative tool. I have a Draper Epb tool that does Epb service mode but also clears codes, unfortunately I'm a long distance from you. The garage that does your brakes should have the correct software.