Failed brake servo/pedal simulator - a how-to DIY fix

[Jaws]

Hi all

Bit of background first and sorry it’s a long post.

Long-time member of the forum here, reading and posting for the first time here for literally years.

Been happily pottering around in my 2020 White Advance since August 2020, done just over 12k miles since then. 99% local trips, charge at home off a granny lead almost exclusively.

Up until 2 days ago the only problem I’d had with the car was a failed 12V battery which I replaced with a decent brand from Hafords last year.

Last month I had a call from my usual dealer prompting me to book the car in for its annual service /MOT. Thinking, for once, I’d save few bob, I politely declined, said the car was running fine and I get back to them in future for a service. Had the E mot’d at a local indy, no problems.

Within three weeks I had the first warning light start to come on….’EP’ in orange. Intermittent at first, so it’s a case of ‘Oh b@lls, I’m going to have to get the vehicle booked in after all for this to be sorted out, get the full service etc’.

However that coincided with us going to France for a 3 week camper van holiday, so it was going to have to wait till our return.

Got back 2 days ago on Friday, started the E (and you know where this is going now) to be greeted with the full monty of dash warning lights plus audible warnings. Put the car into gear and cautiously backed down the driveway… brakes felt like they weren’t working, vibrating and max effort needed to stop.

Nice AA man arrived an hour later, looked at car, drove it round the block and said he was happy to drive it to the local Honda dealer a couple of miles away. Which is now where it is residing, awaiting a diagnosis of what is presumably the subject of this thread!

I’m annoyed with myself asI haven’t helped my case by, for once, not having the car serviced on time. Especially as this is the fifth Honda we have bought new from that dealer including two Civic Type R’s (for me) and two Jazzes for Mrs Jaws.

I’m not optimistic that the news is going to be good and I’m not happy that I’m possibly facing a repair bill running well into 4 figures…I’ll keep you posted!

Jaws

[Deleted User 473]

Someone needs to get hold of the sensors inside the valve block, and then the repair whilst still a pain in the arse is monumentally cheaper than an entire unit.

The translated honda recall wording from Japan doesn't entirely explain the sensors failing... I guess as soon as we start seeing repairs outside of warranty, we will have some spare units to investigate...

[Bazarooney]

Ours (70 plate) started showing the typical amber warning lights the day before its MOT. Mentioned it to the service department at Swansway in Stockport and it seemed Ok on the drive home. However next day it returned. Found this thread and did some more research so was able to give details to the garage. Arranged for Honda care through AA to return the car to the garage. Swansway contacted Honda and within 2 days had got Honda to accept the full cost of repair So within 8 days we had the car returned. Must say Swansway have been exceptional. Problem clearly is poor quality units from China. Tempted by the Renault 5 E-tech particularly as all parts if the car are made within 300 km of the assembly plant.

[Jaws]

Good result for me too. Car has been repaired and Honda have covered the entire cost...phew!

Big thank you to Honda and especially Yeomans Honda near Worthing for sorting it out so quickly. Apparently the replacement unit has a different part number from the original so hopefully it wont happen to me again.

[FDAD]

Good result for me too. Car has been repaired and Honda have covered the entire cost...phew!

Big thank you to Honda and especially Yeomans Honda near Worthing for sorting it out so quickly. Apparently the replacement unit has a different part number from the original so hopefully it wont happen to me again.

Would you be kind to share the new part number?

[5thcivic]

Duplicate post from the Jazz forum for information:-

Went ot my dealer today to have the passenger wing mirror replaced under warrantee. Had a long chat with the Service Manager.

They have had 3 brake simulator replacements so far. The earliest the customer paid for, later on Honda contributed half, the most recent one was done at no cost. He did not know if the other customers got money back, that was between them and Honda central now.

He was adamant in his opinion it will be a recall since a brake issue thus safety. However he was scathing about the DVSA which needs to be gone through for the recall system saying they were far too slow and very inefficient. So it remains to be seen if it is worth taking out the warrantee extensions after 3 years or if the replacement will be a normal free recall withour problem.

As an aside he said they were still changing takata airbags occasionally from 20 year old multiple owner cars as they become known to them.

[Ebenezer]

I've got a poorly Honda, taking into Stockport Swansway ASAP to get it looked at. Think it might be the same problem described in this thread. Wish me luck!

[Xanadu]

I took my E into Swansway Bolton on Wednesday with all the symptoms and picked it up today,fully repaired and zero charge,they even washed it.

[toddquinlan]

looks like we here in germany were also affected, got a letter today stating it´s nothing serious, but I will get a second letter when the parts were available and than should immediately let them repair it

[ojeastwood]

I took my E into Swansway Bolton on Wednesday with all the symptoms and picked it up today,fully repaired and zero charge,they even washed it.

That's good to know - thank you! My E developed this issue over the weekend. Have got in touch with my nearest dealer (Honda Cheshire Oaks) but it's good to hear that some dealers are doing things properly and taking responsibility of the issue.