Parking brake service message & wont start - how many others with this issue

[Andrew P]

You can add me to the list too. Took my September 2022 car in today for the relevant recalls and software update. The car was running fine previously but needed new Seat Belts, A-pillar Trim Retainers, Windscreen Wiper Motor and Power Steering Lines due to the relevant recalls. No problem. It's an early build of a brand new model car and I expected some teething issues.

Had them do the software update in the hope it would fix the issues I was having with intermittent Carplay Failure, unaware of these issues beforehand.

Now the car won't start half the time.

Did some experimenting tonight and it does seem that the order/timing in which the various ECM modules fire up plays a role. I found if I wait 10 seconds between unlocking the car and opening the door, it happens less frequently.

It's as if the main ECU only tries to handshake with each module once before throwing an error. Adjusting the timing, and/or retrying multiple times until handshake is achieved before timing out and moving on to the next module should hopefully fix it.

Interestingly, I have a Volvo XC90 and it actually lists each car's system on the dash and shows them as operational as it handshakes. I assume this car is doing similar behind the scenes.

You should ask them to roll back the key operational software update - it isn’t a large file and should be quick to do. The larger ones are things like updated sat Nav maps and I don’t imagine this has any impact.

 

[Sentinel]

You should ask them to roll back the key operational software update - it isn’t a large file and should be quick to do. The larger ones are things like updated sat Nav maps and I don’t imagine this has any impact.

Yep I will. The car is going to have to be towed back to the dealer anyway. I just looked under the car and there’s power steering fluid streaks all over the under tray. Not sure if it spilled when they replaced the lines yesterday or if the new lines are leaking but I’m not risking it.

 

[Jack Stone]

Why doesn’t Lotus suspend these software updates until it knows it isn’t going to break something that didn’t need fixing?

 

[scc.131.fe]

Why doesn’t Lotus suspend these software updates until it knows it isn’t going to break something that didn’t need fixing?

How else would they test it?

I'm only half-joking. If all of Gavin's flogging in British weather didn't alert them to wet loom/sensor issues, and they never encountered their own engine start or air con issues, then large-scale public testing must be the solution.

 

[Jack Stone]

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result

 

[Jimblob]

Always getting the parking brake error

View attachment 32484

Without getting out:

1. Open door
2. Close door
3. Lock
4. Wait 2mins
5. Unlock
6. Wait a few seconds until the display activates
7. Open door
8. Close door
9. Should start now

That doesn’t work on mine as the screen doesn’t restart unless you open the door (step 7)…

But this did work and you don’t have to walk away from the car which is what I had been doing.

1. Get in the car as normal to find it’s not working.
2. Stay in the car
3. Lock the car
4. Wait around 2 mins until you hear a little wirring sound about 1.5 mins. You can try then try the next step.
5. Unlock
6. Open door
7. Close door
8. Wait a few seconds until the display activates.
9. Should start now

 

[Steveawm]

Mine did this on the very day that I picked it up in March this year, immediately after I arrived home. I assumed the battery was low, so put it on charge overnight and it was fine for a couple of months. Has happened two or three times since, and then again last weekend.
I sat in the car, locked the door and about five minutes or so later there was a whirring noise, then a relay clicked and I could start the car.
Contacted B&C who said it was a known fault and a fix was on its way!
Not holding my breath, but at least I know it will eventually start and no need to call a recovery truck!

Still glad I have the car though.
If it was a Ferrari it would be called character………..

 

[Bilbao-Emira]

That doesn’t work on mine as the screen doesn’t restart unless you open the door (step 7)…

But this did work and you don’t have to walk away from the car which is what I had been doing.

1. Get in the car as normal to find it’s not working.
2. Stay in the car
3. Lock the car
4. Wait around 2 mins until you hear a little wirring sound about 1.5 mins. You can try then try the next step.
5. Unlock
6. Open door
7. Close door
8. Wait a few seconds until the display activates.
9. Should start now

I managed to start similar to you, with the differences :
4. I only waited like 15-20 secs.
6 and 7, I didn't need to open and close door
8. Waited 5/7 secs

 

[Magicman]

Why doesn’t Lotus suspend these software updates until it knows it isn’t going to break something that didn’t need fixing?

According to my dealer they have been told to but it seems in true lotus style its a mixed message delivered ineffectively.

Surely owners are due some compensation. I've had my car 9mths and it's been back 10 times and I bet its not gone more than a week without a warning light of some sort.

 

[Jack Stone]

I see from Harry's latest video, his V6 has had the software update during its first annual service. Wonder if he's now getting the PB/nonstart issue...

 

[Andrew P]

I see from Harry's latest video, his V6 has had the software update during its first annual service. Wonder if he's now getting the PB/nonstart issue...

Just watched the video. From what he said I’m not sure that it had the software update - he mentions wiper motor. His is similar age to mine and Silverstone knows the issues that the software update had with mine so I wonder if they didn’t do it. I will ask.

 

[Jack Stone]

Harry doesn’t mention the software specifically, but says “it’s had all the updates” so interesting to hear whether they’ve now stopped implementing the new software.

 

[KJD]

That doesn’t work on mine as the screen doesn’t restart unless you open the door (step 7)…

But this did work and you don’t have to walk away from the car which is what I had been doing.

1. Get in the car as normal to find it’s not working.
2. Stay in the car
3. Lock the car
4. Wait around 2 mins until you hear a little wirring sound about 1.5 mins. You can try then try the next step.
5. Unlock
6. Open door
7. Close door
8. Wait a few seconds until the display activates.
9. Should start now

Mine has suddenly started this nonsense this week.

It did it once in the first days of ownership (4 Feb ‘23 collection), and a couple of times in November. Now it’s doing it every day.

No software changes since it had its recalls done in August. Done thousands of miles since then.

The process described above works for me too.

Lock the car, the fuel cap locks after 10 secs, and the whirring sound from the dashboard is after 1’40”, then it’s OK.

It’s due first service in a few weeks so hopefully it gets fixed but strange that it’s suddenly started for no reason I know.

 

[Magicman]

Mostly just locking the car whilst I'm sat in it, leave it 30sec, unlock and then ot starts.

I'm still stuck with the eml on the dash from a month ago when it started buy cut out though.

 

[Martylemoo]

I spoke to Hendy Southampton about this issue today, they seem to think Lotus will have a software fix by the end of the month.
I have a big long list of issues that need fixing and am hoping to get them sorted in one hit.
Hopefully the end of the month is realistic and not a usual Lotus pipe dream.

 

[silent cilantro]

That is coincidentally when they expect CARB approval for North American cars.

Maybe they are trying to fix this before they deliver them to this market.

Watch, they are gonna receive CARB approval but not release the cars because this software update is not ready

 

[Sentinel]

That is coincidentally when they expect CARB approval for North American cars.

Maybe they are trying to fix this before they deliver them to this market.

Watch, they are gonna receive CARB approval but not release the cars because this software update is not ready

Highly doubt they'll delay delivery over this. Here in Australia they're flashing customers' cars knowing the update will cause these issues.

I got pulled over by the police for a random breath test the other day and the car wouldn't start again. Had to be pushed off the road so I wasn't blocking traffic.

 

[Wonza]

Highly doubt they'll delay delivery over this. Here in Australia they're flashing customers' cars knowing the update will cause these issues.

I got pulled over by the police for a random breath test the other day and the car wouldn't start again. Had to be pushed off the road so I wasn't blocking traffic.

If I was a betting man or a businessman. With the lemon laws strong in the US. I wouldn’t release a car until its absolutely perfect.

 

[silent cilantro]

If I was a betting man or a businessman. With the lemon laws strong in the US. I wouldn’t release a car until its absolutely perfect.

My thought exactly

 

[Magicman]

I spoke to Hendy Southampton about this issue today, they seem to think Lotus will have a software fix by the end of the month.
I have a big long list of issues that need fixing and am hoping to get them sorted in one hit.
Hopefully the end of the month is realistic and not a usual Lotus pipe dream.

I'm sure I've heard that before somewhere... oh yeah, last month

"Soon"

And just like that we're back in the Lotus waiting game