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EPB Failure 2010 California?

Discussion in 'California/Portofino/Roma' started by DesertSky, Mar 18, 2025.

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  1. DesertSky

    DesertSky Rookie

    Oct 4, 2024
    7
    Full Name:
    Douglas Quaid
    #1 DesertSky, Mar 18, 2025
    Hi all,


    So I have a 2010 California that is giving me EPB failure. The "BRAKE" light is constantly illuminated as well. I just got the car, so I don't know how long this has gone on for. In searching the forum, I found that many people said the car just needed a new battery when this warning persists. I tested my battery and it is at 14.3 to 14.4 while idling and at 12.6 when off. All of these numbers look good to me.

    Has anyone had this problem while still having a good battery? Can anyone help me get to the bottom of this? My area doesn't have any Ferrari dealership or techs. At least not ones that are readily available.


    Thanks guys.
     
  2. Willl

    Willl Karting

    Oct 8, 2022
    132
    Vancouver, WA
    Full Name:
    Will
    #2 Willl, Mar 19, 2025
    You need to do a load test on the battery to find out the true condition of the battery.

    More than likely a battery issue, especially on a new to you car with an unknown battery history. (my 2014 purchase two years ago, had an 8 year old battery in it)
    Look for a build date on the battery. What kind of battery is it?

    Good news, your alternator is charging the battery.
     
  3. DesertSky

    DesertSky Rookie

    Oct 4, 2024
    7
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    Douglas Quaid
    #3 DesertSky, Mar 20, 2025
    Couldn't find a build date on it while it's still installed in the car, but it is an AGM battery. I'm going to put it on a CTEK for a few days and see what happens. I'll report back. Thanks!
     
    Willl likes this.
  4. DesertSky

    DesertSky Rookie

    Oct 4, 2024
    7
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    Douglas Quaid
    #4 DesertSky, Mar 26, 2025
    Well, I put her on a CTEK, set for Car AGM Reconditioning. Came back today to a green light on the CTEK, meaning fully charged and ready to go. Well, I start the car, and still the EPB Failure. Hmmm... I figured I'd take her for a long drive to exercise her and let any systems work through themselves. Drove her for probably 75 miles or so. Came back, parked her, restarted her, and still an EPB Failure.

    I reconnected the CTEK, this time for a regular cycle; not a recondition... Oddly enough, even after that long drive, when I reconnected the CTEK, it was down in phase 2 or 3 (can't quite remember which).

    I'm at a loss... I really thought reconditioning the battery would eliminate this issue. Anybody else have any ideas?
     
  5. mcw

    mcw Formula Junior
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 10, 2008
    423
    #5 mcw, Mar 27, 2025
    Try a new battery.
     
    Willl likes this.
  6. SLViper1

    SLViper1 Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 25, 2014
    766
    Nashville/Destin
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #6 SLViper1, Mar 27, 2025
  7. DesertSky

    DesertSky Rookie

    Oct 4, 2024
    7
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    Douglas Quaid
    #7 DesertSky, May 8, 2025 at 3:19 AM
    Well, I’m at a loss now.

    I finally put a new battery on her. Interstate Battery MTX-49/H8. Started the car and still had the EPB Failure. So I cleared all fault codes with the ThinkDiag and shut the car off. Turned it back on and all was good. Parking brake even worked when I pulled it. So I went for a drive and when I got back, I tried to put the parking brake on again and immediately got the EPB Failure again.

    Am I doing something wrong? Is there a bigger problem? Sucks that I spent over $300 on a battery to have the same problem again. This is frustrating. How can it work just fine, even actuate and hold, then I get back from the drive and here we go again? Ugh…
     
  8. Zarakoff

    Zarakoff Karting

    Jul 8, 2020
    130
    Uk
    Full Name:
    Ian Curley
    #8 Zarakoff, May 8, 2025 at 6:51 AM
    If it’s not the battery then it’s either a module or the switch.
    I think you need find somewhere to diagnose what’s at fault
    Fault codes popping up drives you mad with a car of this age you need to find a good independent close to you who will help
     
  9. kd126500

    kd126500 Rookie

    Jan 5, 2021
    33
    #9 kd126500, May 8, 2025 at 9:33 AM
    Check your brake switch. $44 dollar part plastic switch on top of the brake pedal. Just went through this on my 2017 T
     
  10. Willl

    Willl Karting

    Oct 8, 2022
    132
    Vancouver, WA
    Full Name:
    Will
    #10 Willl, May 8, 2025 at 9:45 AM
    Did you do the battery reconnecting procedure when you put in the new battery?
     
  11. DesertSky

    DesertSky Rookie

    Oct 4, 2024
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    Douglas Quaid
    #11 DesertSky, May 8, 2025 at 10:54 AM
    I went through some procedure that I found here in the forums. Any link to the one you’re referring to? Maybe it’s the same one.
     
  12. DesertSky

    DesertSky Rookie

    Oct 4, 2024
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    Douglas Quaid
    #12 DesertSky, May 8, 2025 at 10:57 AM
    Are you referring to the brake LIGHT switch? Part number 201957? If so, I have not tried this yet. You had the EPB Failure and replacing this took care of it?
     
  13. mcw

    mcw Formula Junior
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 10, 2008
    423
    #13 mcw, May 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM
    For some failure messages, a replaced battery will also require several start and drive cycles before elimination of failure messages. There may be other causes of your message, as indicated by others, but perhaps a passage of up to ten normal start and drive events before going to next possible problem source would help. Try doing the start and drive cycles without ever activating parking brake during the entire round of cycles. Maybe it will clear, and maybe it only comes on when parking brake is activated after trying this route. Process of elimination.
     
  14. cwazy1

    cwazy1 Rookie

    Jul 5, 2024
    44
    WA
    #14 cwazy1, May 8, 2025 at 1:01 PM
    This sounds very similar to the problem I had in my 2011 458 when I first got it. They share the same EPB module. Mine would error randomly while driving and would stay on. After periods of not driving, the error would go away and then would eventually come back and beep like crazy. There was once where the ebrake was stuck in the locked position and I had to power cycle the car to get it to reset and let go. My codes read EPB ecu fault.

    I ended up replacing the EPB switch, which also houses the ECU. Its an 800$ part but very easy to do yourself. After replacing it, the error went away for a few weeks. Although, it randomly came on again. I was fed up with the error at this point because I couldnt silence the beeping when the error popped, don't know why. I ended up getting rid of the AGM battery I had and installed a lithium battery and all my problems went away. Its been trouble free for over 5 months and over 1k miles.

    I would pull codes again to verify its the EPB switch thats failed, replace that, and then swap to a litium battery.
     

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