Parking Brake Control Module

[Jerritt]

Im sure many of you will come across this error at some point in owning your Audi so I decided to post a quick DIY for replacing/ removing your parking brake control module.

The module itself is located in the trunk behind the right compartment just to the left of the fuse box. If you own an Audi without rear parking sensors then skip to step 3.

Step 1: Remove bolt on the left side corner of parking brake sensor housing unit.



Step 2: Remove bolt on the Right side back corner of parking brake sensor unit. Once completed the unit can be set to the side on top of the fuses. There is no need to disconnect the harness.



Step 3: Now you will have clear view of your parking brake control module. Remove the two bolts circled in red.



Step 4: Free the unit from the screws that are attached to the car by lifting the unit straight up.

Step 5: Located the harness lock on the left side and pull away from the control module as indicated in the image.



Step 6: As you pull the harness lock the module will free itself from the harness and will be detached from the car.



If you are getting parking brake malfunction errors and your fuses are all intact then the second easiest thing to do is to replace the parking brake control module. You can find one used for around $70. If you have a friend with an audi ask them if they will let you test your brakes on their module first. If their module doesnt work either then you may have to replace the brake motor which is unfortunately going to be my next move. If anyone has a DIY on how to do that please feel free to send my way.

[suzpend]

After installation does it have to be programmed?

[ps2cho]

Swapping the EPB's are piece of cake. Just disconnect the cable, remove the two screws and install the new one. Factory manual mentions to give it a few turns to the left to aid in install and to install at an angle to mate the two gears.

You can test your EPB, dont just replace. Hook up 12v to the plug. There is only two prongs, either way you provide power will move it...reverse polarity just reverses the motor. Safe to do.

[suzpend]

Thanks, the dealer told me my parking brake control module was faulty. Will the code clear itself after install?

[Grouch]

Slightly off topic, once you replace any modules on the car, do you have to reprogram it via vag-com? Or will it be plug-n-play since it was programmed before?

[suzpend]

Slightly off topic, once you replace any modules on the car, do you have to reprogram it via vag-com? Or will it be plug-n-play since it was programmed before?

Right, that's exactly what i'm trying to find out.

[suzpend]

Hi, I think I found the answer. I watched a youtube video and the guy stated you don't need to reprogram the module if you match up the part number.

[adkmooserider]

Hi, I think I found the answer. I watched a youtube video and the guy stated you don't need to reprogram the module if you match up the part number.

Do you have a link to that YouTube video?

[Smac770]

After installation does it have to be programmed?

The J540 (address 53) in my VCDS scan shows no coding entry. But you should already know this since before replacing any control module, you should create a measuring values and adaptation values map (dump) of the module as well as record the existing (if present) coding, so you have some idea of what was in case you have to recreate it on the new module.

So it would seem a basic module. That's not to say there's not an adaptation or basic setting that needs to be run on the module upon new installation. If we look at the repair manual for the brake system, which I would assume you have so you know how to replace parts of the brake system (all the repair manuals for your car are on erwin.audiusa.com, pay for a day, grab the PDFs), we see the last step is run the "replace" function in guided fault finding. Unfortunately, for us normal people, that's not particularly useful. But it does imply there's some kind of initialization to be performed.

If we look to Ross-Tech wiki, we do find http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index..._Parking_Brake
This is the same page we come to if you go through the 8K A4 (since both use similar components and design). That last item appears to be a setting you'll need to perform. And then validate it all with the function test.

[tieadvancedx1]

Can anyone cite the codes they got? just want to compare to see if my reader is right. Think i'm going to have to go with an ebay module to see if thats the issue first. The motor response seems fine, whenever i pull the switch when i park, the motors vary on how much they will clamp down....i also have stop tech kit....could that be issue?

[fallingreason]

Can anyone cite the codes they got? just want to compare to see if my reader is right. Think i'm going to have to go with an ebay module to see if thats the issue first. The motor response seems fine, whenever i pull the switch when i park, the motors vary on how much they will clamp down....i also have stop tech kit....could that be issue?

63441043354__7DE36878-BD58-43AB-AC80-F4C904655B1C.jpg

I just had this code come up yesterday. Came on after I had been driving for about 15 minutes, while I was on the freeway (not braking). Strange time for it to come on. I turned off the car near my destination and (riskily) tested parking brake operation. Worked fine, error came back when I restarted the engine. Used the parking brake at my destination without issue and after being parked for 2+ hours the error did not come back when I drove home. However, this error was in the computer today. I cleared it and will see what happens, though I have ordered a spare module (used from local dismantler) just in case. I will check fuses as well, but betting they are fine as the error seems intermittent at this time.

[ric933]

Hi Everyone! I facing the similar problem, I have a 2009 A-4 800K B8 engine, driving for 15mins and dash board come up the fault code..."Parking Brake Malfunction". But the parking brake buttom is work fine. Next day I am using BlueDrive scan tool and show up the fault code.0473,Control Module for Elect Park/Hand Brake(J540) No Signal/ Communication. Since than everytime I start the car, the fault code show up. I basic google it and most come out the suggestion is the module false , and I do check all the connector and wiring seen to be fine, so I decided to change the used one. Question, by look at the part number, 8K0907801E, I can find one used in local car recycle site with the end letter is different, which is 8K0907801H, they say is newer one, cause the same module is fit in from 2009-2012 model, if I take it, am I worry about reprogramming the unit? Please have some input to help me before I buy it. Thanks everyone.

[ric933]

correction, only 80K mileage!

[Smac770]

8K0907801H is the B8.0 unit, which uses CAN protocol. Revision chain was C>D>E>F>G>H.

J is the initial B8.5 unit. B8.5 units use UDS protocol. It applies to MY12 B8.5 vehicles. K>L is for the MY13 B8.5 vehicles. And M>N>P is for the MY14+ B8.5 vehicles.

E is the one in my Aug '08 built MY09. If I needed to replace it, I'd look for an E, F, G, or H. Audi parts catalog points out "don't use one older than what it came with" for this revision chain. So I would not consider a C or D. And J and later would be incorrect for my B8.0 vehicle.

[ric933]

thanks for the input information, which I should looking for E,F,Gor H than.

[ric933]

After change the used module, the code is still there and not easer-able, It made me think might be the ECM or wires?!

[Smac770]

Possibly. But no signal/comms doesn't make a lot of sense if you say the EPB is actually working (engaging/releasing). Not to mention it has to be communicating if you're connecting to it to get the code.

Would be a lot better to post a complete autoscan log from VCDS so we all can see a proper view of the situation.

[ric933]

thanks for the advice, but I don't have a VCDS, and when I say the EPB working, I mean when I released the button, the car is free move without any brake fiction, if it not working, the wheel won't be able to move and drive, furthermore, I run the engine and put shift to N, my friend at the back can push car moving freely, but not when I engage the parking bake button. That why I confusing?!

[jansko]

Do you/someone else knows if its ok to go from D>H? Im talking about this same module. Im looking for used part and it seems i find mostly ones ending to H and my current broken part is D. I have 2008 B8.

[jansko]

8K0907801H is the B8.0 unit, which uses CAN protocol. Revision chain was C>D>E>F>G>H.

J is the initial B8.5 unit. B8.5 units use UDS protocol. It applies to MY12 B8.5 vehicles. K>L is for the MY13 B8.5 vehicles. And M>N>P is for the MY14+ B8.5 vehicles.

E is the one in my Aug '08 built MY09. If I needed to replace it, I'd look for an E, F, G, or H. Audi parts catalog points out "don't use one older than what it came with" for this revision chain. So I would not consider a C or D. And J and later would be incorrect for my B8.0 vehicle.

Do you/someone else knows if its ok to go from D>H? Im talking about this same module. Im looking for used part and it seems i find mostly ones ending to H and my current broken part is D. I have 2008 B8.

[Smac770]

Rev chain for B8.0 is C>D>E>F>G>H. So yes, H is the current rev for B8.0. You're not going to find new D out there, as H is the current rev. Used, could be anything from D through H (I wouldn't use older than what the car came with originally).

[jansko]

Rev chain for B8.0 is C>D>E>F>G>H. So yes, H is the current rev for B8.0. You're not going to find new D out there, as H is the current rev. Used, could be anything from D through H (I wouldn't use older than what the car came with originally).

Thank you!