The handbrake lever on the R56 is located in the centre console between the driver's seat and front passenger's seat. The handbrake serves to secure the stationary vehicle against rolling away.
The following components are described for the handbrake:
The handbrake lever is connected via bowden cables to the brake callipers of the rear axle. The parking-brake warning switch is located on the handbrake lever.
When the handbrake lever is moved upwards or downwards, the parking-brake warning switch detects this. The parking-brake warning switch switches ground to the entrance of the junction box electronics (JBE) as soon as the handbrake lever is moved upwards.
The JBE processes the earth signal from the parking-brake warning switch. The JBE sends a message on the K-CAN to the additional instrument. The JBE is located below the glove compartment.
The additional instrument contains the warning and indicator lamps. As soon as the message 'Parking brake activated' is sent by the JBE, the indicator light of the parking brake starts to light up in the additional instrument. The indicator light of the parking brake goes out as soon as the handbrake lever has been completely moved downwards.

The graphic shows the R56
Index |
Explanation |
Index |
Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Handbrake lever |
2 |
Parking-brake switch |

Block circuit diagram R56
Index |
Explanation |
Index |
Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Junction box electronics (JBE) |
2 |
Parking-brake switch |
3 |
Instrument cluster |
4 |
Additional instrument |
The following system functions are described for the handbrake lever:
The brake is engaged by pulling the handbrake lever upwards. The handbrake lever is connected via bowden cables to the brake callipers of the rear axle.
The brake is disengaged by moving the handbrake lever downwards. To do so, the unlock button in the handbrake lever must be pressed and held down.
As of terminal R, the indicator light for the parking brake can light up. When the handbrake lever is pulled, thus activating the parking brake, this is indicated by a red indicator light in the additional instrument.
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