BMW Parking Brake Startup
Supported coding feature by BimCOM diagnostic tool https://www.obdtester.com/bimcom
Parking Brake Startup Procedure
What it does
- Initializes the electronic parking brake (EPB) system after service
- Sets baseline positions for:
- Parking brake motors
- Cable tension (if applicable)
- Brake force thresholds
- Ensures correct operation after replacing EPB components
Requirements
- Rear brake components installed correctly
- Parking brake motors connected
- No active EPB/DSC fault codes
- Stable battery voltage (charger recommended)
- Ignition ON, engine off unless instructed otherwise
Mechanical checks
- Brake pads installed and seated properly
- Calipers torqued correctly
- No seized guide pins
- Correct pad thickness detected
When the startup should be performed
- After replacing:
- Parking brake motors
- Rear brake pads or calipers
- EPB control module
- After servicing mechanical parking brake components
- After clearing EPB overload faults
What happens during the procedure
- EPB module cycles motors through:
- Full retract
- Full extend
- Calibration apply
- Learns:
- End stop positions
- Required motor current
- Brake pressure reference
- Stores new calibration values in the EPB control unit
If the startup is not performed
- Parking brake may apply unevenly
- Brake force may be too weak or too strong
- Warning messages may appear
- Increased wear on pads and motors
- Possible EPB malfunction under load
- Confirm smooth apply and release
- Test on a mild incline
- Check for new fault codes
- Ensure both rear wheels hold evenly