The parking brake automatically engages on Jeep Compass to prevent rolling, especially when parked on an incline or shifted into Park. If it engages unexpectedly, it could signal a system issue.
There could be a few different reasons that could explain why a Jeep Compass is automatically engaging its parking brake. It could mean something is functioning properly in the braking system, electrical system, or some of the built-in safety system’s features that are doing their job. Some modern vehicles, like the Jeep Compass, have something called an electronic parking brake (EPB).
An EPB is not the same as a standard hand brake, and because of this, it can behave differently. Knowing or learning the reasons why it can work this way might help you manage some safety features your vehicle has, or help you troubleshoot problems as they arise.
This article will discuss the electronic parking brake system and its components that make the engaging brake system work, and of course, troubleshooting steps to problem solve the system!
Contents
What is the Parking Brake System in a Jeep Compass?
The Jeep Compass, like other modern vehicles, has a unique parking brake system. Before discussing the reasons why the parking brake can automatically engage, it is best to describe how the system works. Knowing the mechanics of the system will help the problem solving process.
Overview of the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) in the Jeep Compass
Instead of the old-fashioned hand brake or foot brake, the Jeep Compass has an electronic parking brake (EPB) system.
Instead of using cables and pulleys, this system uses integrated motors and electronic components. Improving vehicle safety, the EPB helps usability and decreases the amount of space the braking system uses.
Below, we describe the main components of an electronic parking brake:
Parking Brake Switch: This is the button or lever you press to activate the parking brake. With this type of parking brake, there is no handbrake, so you can push a button to activate the brake.
Actuator Motors: These electric motors are stationed near a vehicle’s rear wheels. Pressure is applied to the brake pads so that the wheels are locked when the parking brake is engaged.
Brake Control Module: Each vehicle is equipped with a computer that processes the data from the sensors, monitors their parking brake status, and controls when it is applied or released.
Wheel Speed and Gear Position Sensors: These sensors feedback to the control module, which uses this information to decide the best moment to lock and release the parking brake.
The greater part of the control module’s functions depends on software and there are several components that can malfunction. Since the system is electronic, it can easily face issues such as unexpected engagement or disengagement of the brake.
Common Reasons the Parking Brake Automatically Engages on Jeep Compass
Now that we understand how the system works, let’s examine the possible reasons that may cause the parking brakes on Jeep Compass to engage by themselves.
1. Auto-Engagement Feature for Safety
One of the reasons that the parking brakes engage by themselves on Jeep Compass is the auto-engagement system that is currently active in most cars today. This is meant to ensure that the vehicle does not roll down an incline when the parking brake is not set.
How does it work?
- If the Jeep Compass is placed in Park, the brakes may engage automatically.
- The parking brake can also engage when the car is parked on a slope or hill, to prevent any unintended movement.
This is designed to keep the vehicle from rolling. It helps reduce the chances of an accident from the vehicle rolling backwards. This is useful for new drivers that may forget to set the parking brake as it will automatically engage. However, if you are new to the system, this may seem odd.
2. Electrical and Sensor Issues
Because the parking brakes can only engage on the Jeep Compass through the electronic systems, there may be a malfunction in any of the electrical systems or sensors that cause the parking brakes to engage by themselves.
Here are some common electrical problems:
Faulty brake switch: The switch telling the control module whether or not the parking brake is engaged may not function such that it tells the system the parking brake is engaged.
Battery voltage issues: Whenever the voltage is unstable or lower than expected, or during a cold start, control module triggers the parking brake as a safety measure.
Wiring or connector issues: Corroded, loose, or damaged wires interact with the electronic parking brake, and send the actuator the wrong signals, causing it to engage or disengage at random.
Control module glitches: The brake control module is in charge of monitoring the parking brake and gathering the sensor data. The module can occasionally experience software glitches that cause random actions, like engaging the parking brake unexpectedly.
If you’re driving and the parking brake is on on your Jeep Compass, it might be some sort of electrical malfunction or signal failure in the system that is not functioning as it should, outside the standard safety features of the system.
3. Faulty Parking Brake Actuator
A common reason for the automatic parking brake being engaged is a faulty actuator motor.The actuator motor engages and disengages the physical parking brake.
If there is a problem with the actuator motor, the following issues can occur:
Surprise brake engagement: An actuator that isn’t working correctly can apply force to the brake pads, even when the system isn’t supposed to be active, which can lead to the brakes being engaged inappropriately.
Inability to disengage: A damaged actuator can make it so that the parking brake is stuck in the engaged position and the brake will not release.
If the actuator has been exposed to wear and tear, moisture, or contamination, then it is more likely that these problems will occur. Because of this, the Jeep Compass may automatically engage to mitigate these issues.
4. Speed Sensor Problems and ABS
Your Jeep Compass has a speed sensor for each wheel, and the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) uses these sensors. The ABS system stops your wheels from locking up when you brake hard by adjusting the brake pressure.
There are times when the parking brake is activated by the system when it thinks that there is a loss of traction, problems with the speed sensor, or issues with the wheel speed sensor, as a protective measure to mitigate further problems.
Some of the issues that lead to this scenario include:
Wheel Speed Sensor Issues: Wheel speed sensors let the brake control module know if the brakes should be engaged or not. If the module receives faulty information, the brakes could get engaged unexpectedly.
Dirty or Corroded Sensor Rings: Wheel sensors need to be clean and uncorroded in order to measure speed accurately.
Issues With ABS Sensors: Faulty ABS sensors can also be the cause of the unrequested engagement of the parking brake, since they can interfere with the braking system.
If you notice your parking brake engaging while driving down the road, it could be engaging due to cause feedback from the ABS or wheel speed sensors.
5. Software Bugs and Module Updates
If your parking brake keeps engaging while driving and you have updated your software, the control module needing an update could also be the cause of the issue.
What can happen:
Software bugs: Over time, software bugs can cause the system to engage the parking brake even when it is not needed. A simple software update may be all that is needed to resolve the issue.
Updated system functionalities: Sometimes, recent updates might alter the parking brake functionality and introduce behaviors such as auto-engagement.
To ensure systems are running optimally, keep the software of your Jeep Compass updated.
How to Know If It’s Normal Behavior Vs. a Problem
It can be hard to determine what needs attention and what does not. Below are a few examples to help.
Consistent Automatic Behavior
There are scenarios where automatic parking brake places are accepted and even expected.
- Shifting into P (Park): The parking brake may be even be set to ensure the vehicle does not roll away.
- Parking at an incline: The system may set the parking brake automatically if it detects a slope and the vehicle is left in gear or in Parking.
- Turning off the ignition: Some systems engage the parking brake automatically as a form of safety.
In these scenarios, the engagement is automatic part of the car’s system.
Other Engagement
If the driving parking brake engages while driving or engages for no apparent reason, it is either a problem driving the electronic system, the sensor, or the brake system. It is not driving behavior and needs to be system. It needs to be addressed.
Dealing with Automatic Engagement of Parking Brake
Let’s say that you are driving a Jeep Compass, and you are unsure why the parking brake engages while driving. You should engage in a troubleshooting process to identify root cause for such behavior. You can understand if the behavior is normal system operation or an underlying issue.
Step 1: Warning Lights Check
Any time the parking brake engages, while in motion, check for warning lights on the dashboard. Below are the common lights that you should watch for:
- Parking Brake Light: Indicates that the parking brake is on, or there is an issue with the braking system.
- ABS Light: If the ABS system is not functioning and there is a fault in the driver’s brake module, then this will also cause a parking brake fault.
- Check Engine Light: A check engine light is often an indication of an issue with the module that controls the electric parking brake or with other related components.
Step 2: Battery and Voltage Check
In some cases, the parking brake will engage because of a fault in some electrical components. Check the voltage of the battery:
- You should check the battery voltage with the vehicle turned off. It should be about 12.6V.
- When you start the vehicle, the battery voltage should read about 13.7V-14.7V.
If you are experiencing low voltage issues, consider replacing the battery to see if this solves the problem.
Step 3. Look for broken or loose signs of broken wires /connectors
Look for signs of broken or loose wires in the parking brake system. Specially, loose, or broken wires near the parking brake switch and the actuator. If plug or corroded wires are broken, disconnected, or corroded false signals will be sent to the control module.
Step 4. Analyze The Brake Actuator
If you have reason to believe the actuator motors are inoperable, you will have to either examine them, or have a mechanic conduct a test to see if the actuator needs to be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs on reasons of parking brake automatically engage on jeep compass –
1. Is it normal for the parking brake in a Jeep Compass to engage by itself?
Yes, it is a normal feature for a parking brake to engage by itself, if the car is in the parked position, or if the car is on an incline. It is a safety feature, so the car does not roll.
2. Why does my parking brake engage while I’m driving?
In case your parking brake engages while driving, it could point to something being awry with your parking brake actuator, a malfunctioning sensor, or some kind of issue with your electrical system. It’s best to get your vehicle checked out by a professional to be on the safe side.
3. How can I stop my parking brake from engaging automatically?
Usually, automatic engagement of the parking system is a system design safety feature, which means it can’t be overridden. However, if it’s engaging too often or at random times, this could point toward a malfunction such as a damaged brake switch, bad sensors, or something similar.
4. Can a low battery cause the parking brake to engage automatically?
Yes. A battery that is weak or unstable can cause the parking brake to be engaged as a safety precaution, so if your battery voltage is low, replacing it could fix the problem.
5. How much does it cost to fix an automatic parking brake issue in a Jeep Compass?
Repair prices depend on what needs to be fixed. If it is the actuator motor, wiring, or any of the related sensors, it can be anywhere from $100 to $800. A software update or a broken brake switch replacement can be cheaper.
Conclusion
To sum it up, knowing why the parking brake engages itself can help you maintain your Jeep Compass. Malfunctions in the safety systems, electrical wiring, or even a broken actuator can cause the system to mistakenly think there’s a safety issue. Once you figure out what the system is trying to protect, you can help keep your Jeep Compass in good shape.
Always consult a professional technician to help diagnose and fix any problems, like the parking brake engaging when it shouldn’t.
