Calibrate Electric Parking Brakes

[Mattyhooks]

Good news!

In preparation to take my truck to the dealer, I was removing the Security Gateway Bypass Harness needed to run AlfaOBD.

When my truck was off, I pressed the EPB Switch just for the sake of it. And sure enough, I could hear the actuators engaging. I said whatever, and proceeded to remove the harness.

It's a very tight space, and I had some trouble getting the electrical connectors out of the CAN blocks. I decided to disconnect the CAN blocks so I could get my hands and tool in and remove the clips.

After disconnecting the CAN blocks, removing the harness and putting it all back together, guess what? No more lights on the dash and the EPB operates normally. I have not reinstalled the harness and ran AlfaOBD for codes yet. And honestly, I probably won't unless more lights come on.

I am not sure what actually fixed the problem. Was it me activating the EPB switch when the truck was off, which tricked the system with one of those perfect situations. Or did disconnecting/reconnecting the CAN blocks reset the system. It also makes me wonder did I even need to purchase AlfaOBD and associated harness?

Either way, I do not recommend disconnecting/reconnecting the CAN blocks. I only did this because I had an appointment for service with the dealer the same day, and why not right.

I hope all this helps the next person...

 

[djevox]

The tough part is we won’t know what reset it until another person recreates the issue and does each step at a time to see the result. Good that you don’t have damaged actuators though.

 

[Zolazar]

Just an update, and I apologize for never coming back to my post but my issue sort of resolved itself. A couple of months after the issue, my battery ended up going bad and I replaced it.

Shortly after, I was backing the boat in the water and my instinct to put on parking break kicked in, even though I knew it didn't work i pulled the lever... all of a sudden I hear the damn actuators kick on! Now working for months...

I know for a fact I pulled the battery cables numerous times and still had issues. I can only shurug my shoulders and assume it took much longer than I ever expected... like 24hrs of the battery being disconnected to clear the issue.

Hope this helps someone. Good luck!

Now off to create a new post about another issue... Still love my RAM!

 

[Joellytle]

Just an update, and I apologize for never coming back to my post but my issue sort of resolved itself. A couple of months after the issue, my battery ended up going bad and I replaced it.

Shortly after, I was backing the boat in the water and my instinct to put on parking break kicked in, even though I knew it didn't work i pulled the lever... all of a sudden I hear the damn actuators kick on! Now working for months...

I know for a fact I pulled the battery cables numerous times and still had issues. I can only shurug my shoulders and assume it took much longer than I ever expected... like 24hrs of the battery being disconnected to clear the issue.

Hope this helps someone. Good luck!

Now off to create a new post about another issue... Still love my RAM!

replaced my rear brakes, I did the same thing you did, messed up. All of my service parking brake lights are on the dash. How did you reset it, how did you fix it? Sorry for bothering yall again, but I am currently having the same issue you had.

 

[6of36]

I haven't worked as a mechanic for years, long before electronic parking brake, but just from my mechanical thinking, They may have to slowly reset themselves, without computer setting. Back in the day of drums, the brakes were self adjusting. Each time you hit the brake they adjusted. If they were far out of adjustment, it took a while for them to get adjusted, because it only did small adjustments each time. Try making a lot of stops during the test drive, and keep trying to activate the parking brake. It may take many cycles.

 

[Tcbouler]

I can not help you but have a question.
how many miles do you have that needs brakes already?

So I had the same issue this is how I fixed mine after several google searches and head scratching I drove the truck constantly stopping returned home put foot on brake held the park brake till actuator started making noise turned the switch back of restart the truck no light

 

[HunterSteelers]

So I had the same issue this is how I fixed mine after several google searches and head scratching I drove the truck constantly stopping returned home put foot on brake held the park brake till actuator started making noise turned the switch back of restart the truck no light

Hi, Would you mind to describe more step by step procedure with details of how you did it? Wondering if when you returned to home and put foot on the brake did you keep the engine on? transmission on Drive or parking? did you held the park brake actuator pushing or pulling the button?. I will like to follow your method but more detail will help. Thanks in advanced!

 

[Berk]

My 2020 1500 Ecodiesel was fine when I parked it (just park gear, did not apply parking brake). Went to drive the truck Saturday morning and the parking brake would not release, and service parking brake message was on the dash. Busted out the OBD2 scanner, and it popped a C10EA-01 (Left Park Brake Actuator - General Electrical Failure). I ordered a replacement actuator and installed it the following day. Tried to clear the codes with AlfaOBD, and the same code kept returning. I could not release the brakes, even with the service procedures under AlfaOBD or the park brake service option within the vehicle settings menu. I had to climb under with a jumper pack and some alligator clips to briefly apply 12v power to each actuator to release the parking brakes in order to drive it to the dealer. I first tried plugging the actuators back in after releasing, and they clamped back down before the end of my driveway! So I ended up driving it to the dealer with the park brake actuators disconnected.

The dealership reached out later in the afternoon to let me know I was in luck, because the cost of the repair would have been $6,236.10, but they contacted Ram who is assisting to bring the cost down to $1,824.86 plus tax. They claimed that "two of the body wiring harnesses are corroded and need to be replaced".


I asked for the part numbers for these two wiring harnesses and they are 68459402AA and 68459002AA. I did some research and found they want to replace the entire chassis wiring harness, and the full dash wiring harness.





Let me remind you - the symptom was for one code, for a left parking brake actuator electrical error.

As an electrical engineer, naturally I had some questions. I drove up and had a conversation with the SA and SM, who told me the a full replacement is the only option. It is irreparable because the pins in the mating connector between these two harnesses are corroded and greening, and the technician is "not comfortable" trying to repair the pins in the connector.

So they are more comfortable rewiring my entire truck?!! Give me a break. At least give me the option, and let me choose.

I went up and spoke with the dealership GM, who was 2 days on the job and refused to accept this was the best they could do. He seemed pretty genuine. It was close to 6pm at this point and the shop was closed up, but he said he will work on it tonight and call me in the morning.

CRC QD contact cleaner. That's all I have to say. I'll keep you updated!

 

[kapinallinen2]

CRC QD contact cleaner. That's all I have to say. I'll keep you updated!

Yes, and if that does not work, then cut and splice the wires bypassing the connector.

It is irreparable because

OMG...