Hi folks
Looking for some help with a problem I have with my Ulysse handbrake. The handbrake lever pulls up as normal and does apply the brake to the wheels - the problem is that when pulled up, the lever will not engage or "click" into position and when you let it go it simply returns back to the off or down position. Other thing is that the button at the end of the lever, which you would normally push in to disengage the handbrake cannot, in this case be pushed in, even when the lever is in the down or off position. Any ideas anyone? I have a suspicion that the problem is something fairly minor (hopefully!) but I have had a look around the mechanism in the cabin and underneath and can't see anything obvious. Any help greatly appreciated to avoid the need for a visit to the local garage.
Cheers
Stuart

Can try lubricating the button (spray grease/wd40 etc) otherwise i'd get new handbrake for safety reasons,I tend to stick car in gear anyway just incase.

Sounds like the return sping has failed. Have seen this before.
There is a spring that forces the button out and engages the latch.
If that fails the button jams in.
Should be reasonably easy to fix if you can track down the duff part and source a replacement.

I had exactly this problem about 2 years ago. I couldn’t find any way to repair the handbrake, so I ended up buying and fitting a new one. As I remember the new handbrake cost about £90 (part + VAT, no fitting).

Are you anywhere near Cardiff, as I kept the old part and it might be useful for you to see, either for a spring or just to see how it works.

If the button pulls out easily, to lower the handbrake lever to the floor (for rotating the seat), then it is unlikely that lubrication is the answer.

There are three springs:

Two easily accessible (one to pull the knob back in, after it has been pulled out to drop the handbrake flat to the floor, and one on the door side of the mechanism, to pull the handbrake lever down when it is released). These could probably both be replaced, but they would not cause your problem.

The third spring, which forces the ratchet teeth together and pushes the knob out, is most likely the cause of the problem (as Pat stated). This is internal to the handbrake mechanism, and would cause the problem if it has either broken or slipped. Unfortunately this is difficult to see or get at. The only way I can see to get any access to it is to pull the knob out and lower the lever to the floor – the spring can then be seen as shown in red on the diagram. If the spring is broken, then I don’t think it can be replaced, as the handbrake would need to be disassembled and I think it would need specialist equipment to disassemble and reassemble.

Fitting the new handbrake was fairly straightforward, except that I had to cut a part of the trim, to avoid taking off pieces which would be difficult to get back on. I can take and send pictures of this if you need them.

Hi
I too had the same problem, I bought one off eBay from someone breaking a Ulysse.

p.s. I also found the warning light had not been connected when I took the assembly apart.

Gordon

Same thing happened to mine - it was down to Peugeot for a new handbrake unfortunately.

Hi again and thanks for all the useful comments on the handbrake - I must say that I am mightily impressed with the help which you have all provided.

From what I can make out, the easiest course of action is to try to source a second hand handbrake unit and fit it. Two questions on this (i) will the unit from the peugeot and citroen models also fit (so that I will have some extra options sourcing a second hand one!) and (ii) any tips on this (cardiff ulysse - any photos that you could let me have will be very welcome) as I suspect that I wiil need all the help I can get.

Thanks again

Stuart

tdog said:

Hi folks
Looking for some help with a problem I have with my Ulysse handbrake. The handbrake lever pulls up as normal and does apply the brake to the wheels - the problem is that when pulled up, the lever will not engage or "click" into position and when you let it go it simply returns back to the off or down position. Other thing is that the button at the end of the lever, which you would normally push in to disengage the handbrake cannot, in this case be pushed in, even when the lever is in the down or off position. Any ideas anyone? I have a suspicion that the problem is something fairly minor (hopefully!) but I have had a look around the mechanism in the cabin and underneath and can't see anything obvious. Any help greatly appreciated to avoid the need for a visit to the local garage.
Cheers
Stuart

Click to expand...

I have an easy fix which cost 10 pence!
Its fiddley but worth it.
You can contact me on [email protected]
I'll send you the pics if repair.
Cheers
Gary