EPB Shift Interlock Function Activated; What Does It Mean?

What does EPB mean on a Toyota? The EPB systems offer additional functions in addition to the basic vehicle holding function that park brakes are required to perform, such as the automatic release of the park brakes when the driver depresses the accelerator or slips the clutch and the re-clamping using more force when the vehicle is in motion.

So now you know what the EBP function means and in this article, we discuss what does it mean by ‘EBP shift interlock function activated” on your vehicle. We invite you to stick around until the end to find out what you’ve been looking for. 

Table of Contents

• What is EPB shift interlock?
• How to activate the EPB system?
• EPB Shift Interlock Function Activated; What Does It Mean?
  • Manual.
  • Brake hold.
• EPB shift interlock function deactivated; how to fix it?
• What are common EPB problems?
• What are the advantages of electronic parking brakes?
• Some related FAQs.

What is EPB shift interlock?

The driver activates the holding mechanism with a button on an electronic parking brake (EPB), also referred to as an electric parking brake or an electric park brake, and brake pads are electrically applied to the back wheels. 

An electronic control unit (ECU) and an actuator mechanism make this possible. Currently, two mechanisms—Cable puller systems and Caliper integrated systems—are in production. One division of brake-by-wire technology is EPB systems.

How to activate the EPB system?

When the ignition is first turned on, Brake Hold is by default turned off. Simply press the hold button, which is above the EPB button, while the brake pedal is still depressed to turn on the system after an ignition cycle. 

When the system is on and in standby mode, a green indication will show that it is functioning, and a yellow indicator will show that it is actively applying the brakes. This system won’t turn on if the driver’s door is open if the driver’s seatbelt is not buckled, or if the shift lever is in reverse or park.

In actuality, if these circumstances occur when Brake Hold is engaged, the system will deactivate unless it was actively holding the brakes at the time, in which case the Electronic Parking Brake will engage in its place and the Brake Hold indication will go off.

EPB Shift Interlock Function Activated; What Does It Mean?

When you switch from or into Park gear, the EPB shift interlock function activated message lets you know that you’ve successfully engaged the parking brake function. To complete this action, simply pull up and hold the button for 3 to 5 seconds. The message will then appear on the multi-information display after that.

Manual.

Pull to set the parking brake and switch on the parking brake indication and light while the car is stopped and the brake pedal is depressed. Press the brake pedal and then the switch to release. The warning light goes off.

Brake hold.

When the brake hold system is turned on and the shift lever is in D, M*, a forward driving position**, or N, and the brake pedal has been pushed to stop the car, the brake is kept engaged. When the accelerator pedal is applied while the shift lever is in D or M*/a forward driving position**, the system releases the brake to provide a smooth start.

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EPB shift interlock function deactivated; how to fix it?

An advanced braking system is the Electronic Parking Brake with Brake Hold. Pulling the button upward will engage the parking brake. To verify that the system is operational, the indicator will light up.

Press the parking brake pedal down to release it. The EPB system can be configured to automatically engage based on the position of the shifter in the car.

Pull the button up and hold it until an EPB shift interlock function message appears on the multi-information display to start the automatic mode (or MID). 

Now, when the shift lever is in the park, the parking brake will automatically engage and disengage until it is moved out of the park.

Press the button down and hold it there until the MID and indicator signal that the automatic mode has been turned off.

What are common EPB problems?

The EPB may experience issues if switches or wires between the actuator and module are opened, cut short, broken, or exhibit high resistance, just like with every other electronic system and component in a vehicle.

The electric parking brake system may not function properly due to common problems like low system voltage or an open fuse.

Some of these issues will cause the onboard computer to display a trouble code indicating an EPB issue or, if a problem has been reported, a message stating “Service parking brake.” The failure’s root cause can be found with the aid of a scan tool.

• There is an error in communication between either of the switches and the EPB module.
• Your parking brake cables are corroded.
• The electronic parking brake motor is stuck or not working.
• The selector switch on the gear stick or the brake pedal is broken.
• There is an electrical issue with the actuator or EPB module.

What are the advantages of electronic parking brakes?

Handbrakes and electric parking brakes differ significantly from one another. When you depress the EPB button, the electronic parking brake activates an electronic system that stops your car.

The automated brake system has improved the EPB’s accuracy and efficiency over the traditional emergency brake system. Both the front and rear wheels of an electric park brake operate at their peak efficiency.

• Automation of brakes when parked. 
• Optimized control
• Child lock system. 
• Helps in emergencies.

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Some related FAQs.