Last winter I noticed my handbrake would not stay on when it was cold. It is doing the same now.
The lever moves OK and the brake works, it just won't lock on.

Any ideas?

Peter

peterh2 said:

Last winter I noticed my handbrake would not stay on when it was cold. It is doing the same now.
The lever moves OK and the brake works, it just won't lock on.

Any ideas?

Peter

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Do you (or the previous owner) push the button when you put the handbrake on? If you don't use the button then you can wear the ratchet out relatively quickly. How old is it and how many miles has it done? Is it under warranty?

Are you sure the cables aren't freezing up and preventing you from getting it to the first click where it locks on?

Car is 1.2 Dynamic 2005 with 25,000 miles, I've owned car for 2 1/2 years.
I always press button when applying (can speak for previous owner) and it is only a problem when cold - it is better after the heater has been on for a while.

I don't think it is the cable as the lever comes up to its usual possition, about 4 clicks, just won't stay there.

Presumably the ratchet is part of the handbrake lever, do you know how to get to it.

Peter

peterh2 said:

Car is 1.2 Dynamic 2005 with 25,000 miles, I've owned car for 2 1/2 years.
I always press button when applying (can speak for previous owner) and it is only a problem when cold - it is better after the heater has been on for a while.

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If you leave the button alone does it click when you pull the lever up?
Since it's related to the cold I wonder if the release mechanism has been bunged up with grease or something that stiffens when cold.

Only thing to do is pull the cover off and see if everything moves freely. I don't know offhand how the handbrake cover comes off a Panda but I'm sure someone who knows will be along in a minute.

Geddes said:

Only thing to do is pull the cover off and see if everything moves freely. I don't know offhand how the handbrake cover comes off a Panda but I'm sure someone who knows will be along in a minute.

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See the final post in this thread:
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/253320-central-console.html

Had similar problem. Handbrake ratchet not feeling very positive in cold weather. Decided to have a good look at the mechanism so removed handbrake completely (30 mins going carefully). Found that the ratchet teeth were fine but that the grease was very sticky so removed as much as poss, sprayed on some WD40, and then applied some general purpose lithium grease. Result is a handbrake as it should be. Very pleased!

I did more or less the same and it cured the problem.
Did you manage to get the grip off? I disconnected the cables and left the lever in the gaiter.

Peter

I did the same as you Peter as I couldn't see a way of getting the grip/gaiter off but there is just enough access to lube the parts. Don't know what FIAT used but it doesn't function very well. Hopefully my easing and greasing will last a few years!

Champers

Hi all, new here but have an 06 Panda, and had this problem since December, during the v cold weather. Thanks to you lot I discovered what the problem is (as above) - a garage wanted to buy and fit a new lever - totally mad!
It's fixed now and took about half-hour without a manual (20 mins if you follow this and are a bit handy). The grease applied new goes thick and stiff, particularly affecting the rotation of the dog-tooth that engages the ratchet and is operated by the button on the lever.
Get the car flat, chocked or at least in gear...
- remove 4 m10 bolts to remove the molded cover (2 are under cover flaps, easy to open)
- detach the 12 volt socket connector and remove the whole cover molding.
- back-off and remove the 2 cables at rear (easy if handbrake is off)
- remove 2 allen bolts that mount the lever to the floor
- disconnect the handbrake warning light then remove handbrake and fold gaiter back to give clear access to the ratchet mechanism.
- wash all moving parts with WD40, and clean off the old grease.
- re-lubricate - i used a mix of oil first then grease as it is in a clean environment - i think that is fine
- move everything to ensure it is all smooth and freed-up nicely
- refit, remembering to adjust / re-tension the lever cables - just sit in drivers seat with an m10 spanner, and adjust til right
- replace plastic molding.

sorted, very happy and no bills

Thanks for the going to the effort of explaining condeesteso.

I think this reinforces the need to use the handbrake lever as intended, unlike Advanced Driver's advice. It is not a good idea to press the button in before pulling the handbrake as the ratchet mechanism is never moved in this scenario, leading to seizing or sticky behaviour later. The idea that the ratchet is worn pretty quickly is unfounded in my experience. These are 5 year old, low mileage cars anyway. The cars will be in the scrap yard before the ratchet teeth wear out.

The reason that the handbrake ratchet seizes up is probably through lack of use. A lot of people don't actually use the handbrake whilst driving, they sit with their foot on the brake or ride the clutch to keep the car stationary on an incline. Therefore they only apply the handbrake when they park the car up.
I tend to use the handbrake whenever I come to a standstill pressing in the button as I apply the brake. When used like this the handbrake is sometimes only applied for a couple of seconds so letting it ride up the ratchet is not an option. In over 30 years of motoring I've never had a handbrake seize up in the manner described.
By the way it's not the ratchet that moves, it's the pawl, and this is moved every time you press the button in even more so than letting it ride up the ratchet.

BigAl54 said:

By the way it's not the ratchet that moves, it's the pawl, and this is moved every time you press the button in even more so than letting it ride up the ratchet.

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Good catch. Impossible to disagree!

BigAl54 said:

The reason that the handbrake ratchet seizes up is probably through lack of use. A lot of people don't actually use the handbrake whilst driving, they sit with their foot on the brake or ride the clutch to keep the car stationary on an incline. Therefore they only apply the handbrake when they park the car up.
I tend to use the handbrake whenever I come to a standstill pressing in the button as I apply the brake. When used like this the handbrake is sometimes only applied for a couple of seconds so letting it ride up the ratchet is not an option. In over 30 years of motoring I've never had a handbrake seize up in the manner described.

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I agree with you 100%. My students are always advised to apply the handbrake if waiting for longer than a few seconds or on a hill. They also press the button when doing so

LeanMeanRacing said:

I agree with you 100%. My students are always advised to apply the handbrake if waiting for longer than a few seconds or on a hill.

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Far better to teach them to hold the car on the clutch and by shares in a clutch company.......

LeanMeanRacing said:

I agree with you 100%. My students are always advised to apply the handbrake if waiting for longer than a few seconds or on a hill. They also press the button when doing so

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Very very good advice and I am glad that at least some new drivers will understand that it is not nice to blast the person sat behind you with nuclear-powered LED brake-lights as the driver sits with their foot firmly on the pedal. New cars have insanely bright brake lights these days and there should be an input feed from the speed sensor that dims the lights when the cars not moving, yet the brake remains applied.

Phil G

Phil - I couldn't agree more and blinding the driver sat behind is one of the reasons I give for using the handbrake where suitable