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Park Brake System Diagnosis

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Park Brake System Diagnosis

Step Action Yes No
DEFINITION: This diagnostic table is designed to diagnose ONLY the components of the PARK brake system in order to determine if the PARK brake system is operating properly. You will be directed by the appropriate Symptom table to go to other brake system diagnostic tables as appropriate.
1 Were you sent here from a Hydraulic Brake Symptom table? Go to Step 4  Go to Step 2 
2 Were you sent here from a Park Brake Symptom table? Go to Step 4  Go to Step 3 
3 Is the symptom related to the ability of the park brake system to hold and/or release? Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Park Brake  Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Hydraulic Brakes in Hydraulic Brakes
4
  1. Raise and support the vehicle with the rear axle supported by jack stands. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. With the park brake RELEASED, attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
Do the rear brakes have a significant amount of drag?		 Go to Step 11  Go to Step 5 
5
  1. Apply the park brake.
  2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
Do the rear brakes have a significant amount of drag?		 Go to Step 6  Go to Step 7 
6
  1. Release the park brake.
  2. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction in the amount of drag.
Did the rear brakes exhibit a significant reduction in the amount of drag?		 Go to Step 21  Go to Step 11 
7 Visually check the park brake cable connections and the cables that are accessible on the UNDERSIDE of the vehicle for disconnections and/or damage.
Were any or the park brake cables disconnected and/or damaged?		 Go to Step 8  Go to Step 9 
8 Reconnect or replace the park brake cables as necessary. Refer to the following procedures as necessary:
Did you complete the repair and/or replacement?		 Go to Step 9  -
9 Check the adjustment of the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .
Was the park brake adjusted properly?		 Go to Step 11  Go to Step 10 
10 Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .
Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake?		 Go to Step 16  Go to Step 11 
11
  1. Disconnect the rear park brake cables from the brake caliper piston apply levers.
  2. Apply and release the caliper piston apply levers. Observe for the following:
    • Free motion of the piston apply levers during apply and free and complete return to the stops when released
    • Free movement of the caliper pistons during apply and free return movement when released
Did the brake caliper piston apply levers move freely during apply and freely and completely return to the stops during release; and did the caliper pistons exhibit freedom of movement during apply and release?		 Go to Step 13  Go to Step 12 
12 Replace the appropriate rear brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement - Rear (RPO J65, JL9) in Disc Brakes.
Did you complete the replacement?		 Go to Step 13  -
13 Have an assistant apply and release the park brake, while you observe the park brake cables for free movement.
Did the park brake cables move freely?		 Go to Step 14  Go to Step 17 
14 Check the adjustment of the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .
Was the park brake adjusted properly?		 Go to Step 16  Go to Step 15 
15 Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .
Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake?		 Go to Step 16  Go to Step 24 
16
  1. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
  2. Release the park brake.
  3. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction in the amount of drag.
Did the park brake apply and release properly?		 Go to Step 26  Return to Symptom Table
17 Disconnect the park brake cable connections that are accessible on the UNDERSIDE of the vehicle one at a time and check each cable for free movement.
Do any of the park brake cables accessible on the underside of the vehicle require replacement?		 Go to Step 18  Go to Step 19 
18 Replace any of the park brake cables that do not have free movement. Refer to the following procedures as necessary:
Did you complete the replacement?		 Go to Step 19  -
19
  1. Disconnect the front park brake cable connection accessible INSIDE the vehicle at the park brake pedal assembly and check for free movement.
  2. Replace the front park brake cable if it does not have free movement. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement - Front .
Did you find and correct a condition?		 Go to Step 22  Go to Step 20 
20 Replace the park brake pedal assembly - not releasing properly. Refer to Park Brake Pedal Assembly Replacement .
Did you complete the replacement?		 Go to Step 23  -
21 Check the adjustment of the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .
Is the park brake adjusted properly?		 Go to Step 26  Go to Step 22 
22 Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .
Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system?		 Go to Step 25  Go to Step 24 
23 Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .
Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system?		 Go to Step 25  Return to Symptom Table
24
  1. Replace the component that is used to adjust the park brake system. Refer to Park Brake Cable Equalizer Replacement .
  2. Adjust the park brake. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment .
Did you complete the replacement and adjustment?		 Go to Step 25  Return to Symptom Table
25
  1. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
  2. Release the park brake.
  3. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction in the amount of drag.
Did the park brake apply and release properly?		 Go to Step 26  Go to Step 4 
26 Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis.
Did you complete the operation?		 Park Brake System OK
Return to Symptom Table		 -
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