Electronic parking brake malfunction
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Electronic parking brake malfunction
I have 2016 GS 350 f sport and I'm getting a message saying electronic parking brake malfunction. I can drive around fine normally but every time I try to use the parking brake it says it's unavailable. Anyone know how to fix this issue?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,928
From: Texas
It may be the electronic parking brake (EPB) module or the sensor...
Any mishaps recently or issues with the battery?
Last edited by bclexus; Feb 2, 2025 at 06:19 PM. Reason: orthography
Try the initialization first. This is in the GS F forum, but according to TIS, it is the same for the GS350 F Sport.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...l#post10567799
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...l#post10567799
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
I tried resetting it both by holding it down and using a safety pin to reset it. However, it still shows the error message and I can't engage the parking brake.
I put in a new battery 2 months ago. I also spilled a 5 gallon jug of water in the trunk about a week ago. I wonder if that could have shorted anything?
I put in a new battery 2 months ago. I also spilled a 5 gallon jug of water in the trunk about a week ago. I wonder if that could have shorted anything?
I tried resetting it both by holding it down and using a safety pin to reset it. However, it still shows the error message and I can't engage the parking brake.
I put in a new battery 2 months ago. I also spilled a 5 gallon jug of water in the trunk about a week ago. I wonder if that could have shorted anything?
I put in a new battery 2 months ago. I also spilled a 5 gallon jug of water in the trunk about a week ago. I wonder if that could have shorted anything?
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,928
From: Texas
~~~~~~~~~~
Here's what to do:
RESET PARKING BRAKE MEMORY without TECHSTREAM
(a) Turn the engine switch off.
(b) Using a shorting wire like a paper clip, connect terminals 13 (TC) and 4 (CG) of the DLC3.
(c) Turn the engine switch on (IG).
The parking brake indicator light (red) will blink rapidly at 0.25 second intervals.
(d) Perform both of the following procedures within 8 seconds:
(1) Perform the following with the electric parking brake switch twice: lock condition → off → release condition → off.
(2) Perform the following with the brake pedal: depress → release → depress → release.
(e) With the engine switch on (IG), disconnect the connection of terminals 13 (TC) and 4 (CG) of the DLC3.
(f) Check that the parking brake indicator light (red) blinks at 1 second intervals.
If terminal 13 (TC) and 4 (CG) of the DLC3 are not disconnected, the blinking pattern (1 second intervals) cannot be checked. If the parking brake indicator light (red) blinking pattern (1 second intervals) is confirmed, the clear procedure is completed. If not confirmed, repeat the procedures above.
ACQUIRE TENSION SENSOR ZERO POINT
After performing reset memory, perform the release control. Check that the parking brake indicator light turns off.
Last edited by bclexus; Feb 4, 2025 at 05:45 AM.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,928
From: Texas
Some people have had their car's automatic electronic parking brake (EPB) lock (and unable to be released) after a simple DIY or auto shop battery change, causing the car unable to be driven - thus requiring the owner to have the car towed in to the dealership.
Yet another reason to have the battery replaced at the dealership with a Lexus branded replacement battery (with a 7 year warranty) - because the Lexus tech will be responsible to make sure that changing the battery doesn't cause a problem with any number of things we've heard people having problems with (e.g. HVAC, NAV, Head unit, Sunroof, Power Seat, Power Telescoping Steering Wheel, Door Locks, etc.) - - and if changing the battery does cause a problem with anything the tech will fix it... If you change the battery DIY or have some auto shop change it, you are on your own getting getting things fixed...
Yet another reason to have the battery replaced at the dealership with a Lexus branded replacement battery (with a 7 year warranty) - because the Lexus tech will be responsible to make sure that changing the battery doesn't cause a problem with any number of things we've heard people having problems with (e.g. HVAC, NAV, Head unit, Sunroof, Power Seat, Power Telescoping Steering Wheel, Door Locks, etc.) - - and if changing the battery does cause a problem with anything the tech will fix it... If you change the battery DIY or have some auto shop change it, you are on your own getting getting things fixed...
Last edited by bclexus; Feb 4, 2025 at 06:50 AM. Reason: orthography
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,928
From: Texas
I think it's important to understand that sometimes when a battery dies (or is disconnected when replacing it) the electronic parking brake (EPB) will be in whatever state it was last in when the battery died or was disconnected - however what can sometimes be alarming even after the battery is replaced is - the EPB can permanently remain in that last state (i.e. On or locked) due to a glitch or corruption of the vehicle's CAN (Controller Area Network) communications system which is a crucial part of the vehicle's electrical architecture, allowing various electronic control units (ECUs) to communicate with each other and manage different vehicle functions.
This said, if the EPB locks On and cannot be released while at Costco or Walmart or some auto parts store when replacing the battery you're not driving home - because the owner or the shop employee has no clue why the parking brake won't release or how to fix it! People have had to get their car towed in to the dealership when this has happened. However, if this happens at a Lexus service department the Lexus technician knows how to correct the issue so you can be on your way...
This said, if the EPB locks On and cannot be released while at Costco or Walmart or some auto parts store when replacing the battery you're not driving home - because the owner or the shop employee has no clue why the parking brake won't release or how to fix it! People have had to get their car towed in to the dealership when this has happened. However, if this happens at a Lexus service department the Lexus technician knows how to correct the issue so you can be on your way...
Last edited by bclexus; Feb 4, 2025 at 09:15 AM. Reason: orthography
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
I had followed that procedure but couldn't get it to work. I got it into diagnostic mode but couldn't get it to blink at .25 second intervals after connecting cg 4 and tc 13 and think that might be the reason why? Going to try again when I get back home after work.
Don't think it's because of the battery install 2 months ago because everything worked fine including the presets of seats and radio. I'm more inclined to think the water spill has something to do with it because this happened shortly after that. It has seeped all the way through to where the spare tire sits and I had to pour out the water from there and dry the area as best I could
Don't think it's because of the battery install 2 months ago because everything worked fine including the presets of seats and radio. I'm more inclined to think the water spill has something to do with it because this happened shortly after that. It has seeped all the way through to where the spare tire sits and I had to pour out the water from there and dry the area as best I could
Some people have had their car's automatic electronic parking brake (EPB) lock (and unable to be released) after a simple DIY or auto shop battery change, causing the car unable to be driven - thus requiring the owner to have the car towed in to the dealership.
Yet another reason to have the battery replaced at the dealership with a Lexus branded replacement battery (with a 7 year warranty) - because the Lexus tech will be responsible to make sure that changing the battery doesn't cause a problem with any number of things we've heard people having problems with (e.g. HVAC, NAV, Head unit, Sunroof, Power Seat, Power Telescoping Steering Wheel, Door Locks, etc.) - - and if changing the battery does cause a problem with anything the tech will fix it... If you change the battery DIY or have some auto shop change it, you are on your own getting getting things fixed...
Yet another reason to have the battery replaced at the dealership with a Lexus branded replacement battery (with a 7 year warranty) - because the Lexus tech will be responsible to make sure that changing the battery doesn't cause a problem with any number of things we've heard people having problems with (e.g. HVAC, NAV, Head unit, Sunroof, Power Seat, Power Telescoping Steering Wheel, Door Locks, etc.) - - and if changing the battery does cause a problem with anything the tech will fix it... If you change the battery DIY or have some auto shop change it, you are on your own getting getting things fixed...
Nah. Not doing anything that cost ineffective ever again.
Also, I have strong evidence Lexus technicians don't even read their own factory service manuals, despite having full access to TIS. Very strong evidence.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,928
From: Texas
Serioiusly? Lexus branded battery? Why would you want to run a lead acid battery ever again? I put LiFePO4 batteries in all my cars. No corroded terminals. No dying starter solenoids from low current. 10 year service life. Active monitoring of the battery's state and charge.
Nah. Not doing anything that cost ineffective ever again.
Also, I have strong evidence Lexus technicians don't even read their own factory service manuals, despite having full access to TIS. Very strong evidence.
Nah. Not doing anything that cost ineffective ever again.
Also, I have strong evidence Lexus technicians don't even read their own factory service manuals, despite having full access to TIS. Very strong evidence.
LiFePO4 batteries are not recommended for use in extremely cold conditions, which can be half the U.S. and all of Canada.
But even of greater concern is the fact that LiFePO4 batteries should not be charged below freezing as it can cause irreversible damage to the battery cells.
Wow, did you know that? That's not good!
In cold climates LiFePO4 batteries may need heat blankets to maintain optimal performance! LiFePO4 batteries are not recommended for use in cold conditions and in extremely cold conditions you're just begging for problems.
I really cannot imagine anyone wanting any part of dealing with LiFePO4 batteries!
But I sure wish you the best of luck with the LiFePO4 batteries in all your cars!
Last edited by bclexus; Feb 4, 2025 at 01:39 PM. Reason: orthography
In case you don't know, which apparently you don't know - LiFePO4 batteries are not only much more expensive but they have a very limited temperature range.
LiFePO4 batteries are not recommended for use in extremely cold conditions, which can be half the U.S. and all of Canada.
But even of greater concern is the fact that LiFePO4 batteries should not be charged below freezing as it can cause irreversible damage to the battery cells.
Wow, did you know that? That's not good!
In cold climates LiFePO4 batteries may need heat blankets to maintain optimal performance! LiFePO4 batteries are not recommended for use in cold conditions and in extremely cold conditions you're just begging for problems.
I really cannot imagine anyone wanting any part of dealing with LiFePO4 batteries!
But I sure wish you the best of luck with the LiFePO4 batteries in all your cars!
LiFePO4 batteries are not recommended for use in extremely cold conditions, which can be half the U.S. and all of Canada.
But even of greater concern is the fact that LiFePO4 batteries should not be charged below freezing as it can cause irreversible damage to the battery cells.
Wow, did you know that? That's not good!
In cold climates LiFePO4 batteries may need heat blankets to maintain optimal performance! LiFePO4 batteries are not recommended for use in cold conditions and in extremely cold conditions you're just begging for problems.
I really cannot imagine anyone wanting any part of dealing with LiFePO4 batteries!
But I sure wish you the best of luck with the LiFePO4 batteries in all your cars!
https://ecotreelithium.co.uk/news/li...erature-range/
Last edited by lobuxracer; Feb 4, 2025 at 02:20 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 2,928
From: Texas
It's been in the 'teens in Atlanta this year. Batteries working just fine the same as they have for the last 5 years. Never going back to corroded terminals or slow starts. Besides, there's BMS for this and underhood temperatures are rarely even close to ambient. Last but not least, operating temperature is -20C to 60C. Not a problem where I live or where most of the US lives.
https://ecotreelithium.co.uk/news/li...erature-range/
https://ecotreelithium.co.uk/news/li...erature-range/
Here are the facts of the matter:
"Extreme caution must be taken when charging LiFePO4 batteries while the batteries are below 32°F/0°C to avoid damaging the batteries. Some manufactures claim that their LiFePO4 batteries are easy to charge in freezing weather - just charge them at very low rate. But most all battery experts recommend against it."
Last edited by bclexus; Feb 4, 2025 at 04:12 PM. Reason: orthography