What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Electric handbrake is stuck - how can I switch it off?

We have a Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer. It was left a couple of weeks on the drive and now the handbrake is stuck. It's an electric parking break and it makes all of the right noises when the break is disengaged, but the car will not move and I've given it quite a lot of revs. Any ideas on how I can fix this?

Asked on 13 January 2016 by DaveUK666

Answered by Honest John
Unfortunately, if it won't unstick by a sharp jolt, then the likelihood is either that the metallic content of the break pads has fused to the brake discs or one or both of the electromechanical rear brake motors has suffered moisture ingress and failed.
Similar questions
My camper van won't move. It was parked up after going through a flood and is now stuck. On starting it fires up and both forward and reverse gears can be engaged, but the wheels will only turn one eighth...
My local Honda dealer recently serviced my 2012 petrol Civic with 24,000 miles on the clock. They told me the handbrake travel was too long and suggested the cause was the caliper and probably both sides...
My handbrake keeps going tight and then loose. It seems to hold without much problem, but the issue is getting worse. Any ideas?
Related models
Good to drive, decent space and large boot, efficient engines with strong diesels.