Hi, the handbrake has never been used as we live in a flat country with no hills & my wife is confused by it anyway. It's stopped working and I only know this because the red light in the dash flashes. Any logical cheap way out? I know the new part is horrendously expensive. Thanks

Is this a North American Spec car or Rest of World/UK?

Is the amber light continuously illuminated?

Any messages on the message centre?

Does the EPB work if you switch it on and off?

Is the red light still flashing? 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

It's a Gulf spec car. No amber light, just the red flashing constantly and brake doesn't work. I've been told it's failed as it has rarely been used. I might have tried it once or twice just playing with it when bored at the traffic lights, otherwise in 6 years it's never been used. We don't use parking brakes here as it's completely flat.
Is it possible to take the unit out & strip it down? I'm reasonably technically competent and have access to a lift and full set of workshop tools. Thanks

Probably a UK spec then (there are some extra warning lights on the NA spec apparently).

Seems odd that you have flashing red but no message and no amber light. Like most of the RRS systems the EPB throws a wobbly if the battery voltage is low but should correct itself if the voltage increases.

The EPB has a few fault codes associated with it so if possible get a diagnostic tool scan done.

As you have the tools and expertise it is probably worth doing a strip and clean of the rear brakes and adjusting the EPB shoes. Bodsy's Brake Bible has all the info you need:

http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/use...ssPics.pdf

Disco Mikey has written a how-to on dismantling and resetting the EPB module:

http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic91299.h...+mikey+EPB

Good luck and let us know how you get on. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE