Park Brake System Diagnosis

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Firebird and 2002 Chevrolet Camaro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

If you were sent here from the SYMPTOMS (HYDRAULIC BRAKES) list, go to step 4 . If you were not sent here from the SYMPTOMS (HYDRAULIC BRAKES) list, go to step 2 .
If you were sent here from the park brake symptom list, go to step 4 . If you were not sent here from the park brake symptom list, go to step 3 .
If the symptom is related to the ability of the park brake system to hold and/or release, see DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT (PARK BRAKE) under TROUBLE SHOOTING. If the symptom is not related to the park brake system to hold and/or release, see DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT (HYDRAULIC BRAKES) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
1. Raise and support the vehicle with the rear axle supported by jack stands.
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. With the park brake RELEASED, attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
If the rear brakes have a significant amount of drag, go to step 11 . If the rear brakes DO NOT have a significant amount of drag, go to step 5 .
1. Shift the transmission into neutral.
2. Apply the park brake.
3. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
If the rear brakes have a significant amount of drag, go to step 6 . If the brakes DO NOT have a significant amount of drag, go to step 7 .
Release the park brake. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction in the amount of drag. If the rear brakes exhibit a significant reduction in the amount of drag, go to step 21 . If the rear brakes DO NOT exhibit a significant reduction in the amount of drag, go to step 11 .
Visually inspect the park brake cable connections and the cables that are accessible on the UNDERSIDE of the vehicle for disconnections and/or damage. If there were any of the park brake cables disconnected and/or damaged, go to step 8 . If any of the park brake cables were not disconnected and/or damaged, go to step 9 .
Reconnect or replace the park brake cables (front and rear) as necessary. See PARKING BRAKE CABLE . If the repair and/or replacement was completed, go to step 9 .
Inspect the adjustment of the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. If the park brake was adjusted properly, go to step 11 . If the park brake was not adjusted properly, go to step 10 .
Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. If the park brake was adjusted, go to step 16 . If the park brake was not adjusted, go to step 11 .

NOTE: DO NOT depress the brake pedal with the brake rotors and/or the brake drums removed, or with the brake calipers repositioned away from the brake rotors, or damage to the brake system may result.

1. Remove the rear brake rotors. See REAR BRAKE ROTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
2. Inspect the park brake shoe hardware for looseness, damaged, broken or missing components.
3. Check the park brake actuators for a seized condition.
If the park brake hardware and/or the park brake actuators require replacement, go to step 12 . If the park brake hardware and/or the park brake switches do not require replacement, go to step 13 .
Replace park brake hardware components as necessary. Replace the park brake switches as necessary. See PARKING BRAKE SWITCH under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If the replacement was completed, go to step 13 .
Have an assistant apply and release the park brake, while you observe the park brake cables for free movement. If the park brake cables moved freely, go to step 14 . If the park brake cables did not move freely, go to step 17 .
Inspect the adjustment of the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. If the park brake is adjusted properly, go to step 16 . If the park brake is not adjusted properly, go to step 15 .
Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. If the park brake was able to be adjusted, go to step 16 . If the park cable was not able to be adjusted, go to step 26 .
1. With the transmission still in neutral, apply the park brake.
2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
3. Release the park brake.
4. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag.
If the park brake applied and released properly, go to step 28 . If the park brake did not apply and release properly, see SYMPTOMS (PARK BRAKE) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
Disconnect the park brake cable connections that are accessible on the underside of the vehicle one at a time and inspect each cable for free movement. If any of the park brake cables accessible on the underside of the vehicle require replacement, go to step 18 . If any of the park brake cables on the underside of the vehicle do not require replacement, go to step 19 .
Replace any of the park brake cables that do not have free movement-not releasing properly. See PARKING BRAKE CABLE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If the replacement is completed, go to step 19 .
Disconnect the front park brake cable connection accessible INSIDE the vehicle at the park brake lever assembly and inspect for free movement. Replace the front park brake cable if the cable does not have free movement. See PARKING BRAKE CABLE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If the condition was found and corrected, go to step 24 . If the condition was not found and corrected, go to step 20 .
Replace the park brake lever assembly if it is not releasing properly. See PARKING BRAKE RATCHET under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If the replacement was completed, go to step 25 .
Inspect the adjustment of the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. If the park brake adjusted properly, go to step 28 . If the park brake did not adjust properly, go to step 22 .
Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. If the park brake was able to be adjusted, go to step to 27 . If the park brake was not able to be adjusted, go to step 23 .
1. Remove the rear brake rotors, if they have not yet been removed. See REAR BRAKE ROTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
2. Inspect the park brake switches for a seized condition.
3. Replace the park brake switches as necessary. See PARKING BRAKE SWITCH under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
If the condition was found and corrected, go to step 24 . If the condition was not found and corrected, go to step 26 .
Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. If the park brake was able to be adjusted, go to step to 27 . If the park brake was not able to be adjusted, go to step 26 .
Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. If the park brake was able to be adjusted, go to step to 27 . If the park brake was not able to be adjusted, see SYMPTOMS (PARK BRAKE) .
Replace the component that is used to adjust the park brake system. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE under ADJUSTMENTS. Did you complete the replacement and adjustment? If so, go to next step. If not, go to SYMPTOMS (PARK BRAKE) .
1. With the transmission still in NEUTRAL, apply the park brake.
2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
3. Release the park brake.
4. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag.
If the park brake applied and released properly, go to step 28 . If the park brake did not apply and release properly, see SYMPTOMS (PARK BRAKE) .
Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. If the operation was completed, park brake system is okay. If the operation was not completed, see SYMPTOMS (PARK BRAKE) .