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Home › Chevrolet › 2002 › Venture Plus › Repair and Diagnosis › External Pages › Different car › Section 45 (Disc Brakes) › System Tests › Park Brake System Testing › Test Procedure

Test Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Cadillac Seville. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Were you sent here from Hydraulic Brake Symptom table? If so, go to step  4 . If not, go to next step.
  2. Were you sent here from Park Brake Symptom table? If so, go to step  4 . If not, go to next step.
  3. Is the symptom related to the ability of the park brake system to hold and/or release? If so, go to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - PARK BRAKE  under TROUBLE SHOOTING. If not, go to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - HYDRAULIC BRAKES  under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  4. Raise and support the vehicle with the rear axle supported by jack stands. With the park brake released using the manual override release lever, 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? If so, go to step  9 . If not, go to next step.
  5. Shift the transmission into Park or Neutral (to disable the park brake automatic release system). Apply the park brake. 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? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  7 .
  6. Release the park brake using the manual override release lever. 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? If so, go to step  18 . If not, go to step  12 .
  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? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  9 .
  8. Reconnect or replace the park brake cables as necessary. Did you complete the repair and/or replacement? If so, go to next step.
  9. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Have an assistant apply and release (using the manual override lever) the park brake, while you observe both of the rear caliper apply levers and the rear park brake cables for free and complete motion during both apply and release. Did the caliper apply levers and the rear park brake cables exhibit free and complete motion during both apply and release of the park brake? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  12 .
  10. Cycle the park brake (apply and release, using the manual override lever) several times to adjust the caliper pistons. Apply the park brake. 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? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  12 .
  11. Release the park brake using the manual override lever. 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? If so, go to step  18 . If not, go to next step.
    • Disconnect the front park brake cable from the pedal assembly. See PARK BRAKE CABLE (FRONT)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    • Disconnect the intermediate park brake cable from the front cable. See PARK BRAKE CABLE (INTERMEDIATE)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    • Disconnect the rear park brake cables from the caliper apply levers. See PARK BRAKE CABLE (LEFT REAR)  or PARK BRAKE CABLE (RIGHT REAR)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    • Check the front, intermediate, and rear park brake cables for free movement.
    • Using a wrench on each of the caliper piston apply lever bolts, apply and release the levers; observe for a free return of the levers when released.
    Do any of the park brake cables checked require replacement? If so, go to step  14 . If not, go to next step.
  13. Did the brake caliper apply levers return freely when released? If so, go to step  20 . If not, go to step  19 .
  14. Replace any of the park brake cables checked that do not have free movement. Refer to the appropriate procedure(s) in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
  15. Cycle the park brake (apply and release, using the manual override release lever) several times to adjust the caliper pistons. Apply the park brake. 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? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  17 .
  16. Release the park brake using the manual override lever. 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? If so, go to step  18 . If not, go to next step.
    1. Disconnect the intermediate park brake cable from the front cable. See PARK BRAKE CABLE (INTERMEDIATE)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    2. Disconnect the rear park brake cables from the caliper apply levers. See PARK BRAKE CABLE (LEFT REAR)  or PARK BRAKE CABLE (RIGHT REAR)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    3. Using a wrench on the caliper piston apply lever bolt, cycle each caliper piston (apply and release) several times to adjust the caliper pistons.
    4. Have an assistant use a wrench on the caliper piston apply lever bolt to apply and maintain the caliper piston.
    5. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.
    6. Repeat steps D and E for the other side of the vehicle.
    7. Release the caliper piston apply levers.
    8. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag.
    Did the brake calipers apply and release properly? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  19 .
    1. With the park brake cables connected, grasp the intermediate park brake cable and pull downward to check the amount of tension on the park brake cables. The park brake cables should have a moderate amount of tension.
    2. Quickly release the intermediate cable and observe for a quick and complete return of the cable.
    Did the park brake cables have a moderate amount of tension and exhibit a quick and complete return? If so, go to step  21 . If not, go to step  20 .
  19. Replace the appropriate rear brake caliper(s). See REAR BRAKE CALIPER  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to step  21 .
  20. Replace the park brake pedal assembly. See PARK BRAKE ASSEMBLY  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
  21. Check the operation of the park brake pedal automatic release system: Apply the park brake. Start the engine and allow it to idle. Shift the transmission into REVERSE or any FORWARD gear. Observe the park brake pedal assembly for automatic release of the pedal. Did the park brake assembly release automatically? If so, go to step  24 . If not, go to next step.
    1. Disconnect the park brake release actuator rod from the park brake pedal assembly. Leave the ground wire and the electrical connectors connected to the release actuator.
    2. Apply the park brake.
    3. Start the engine and allow it to idle.
    4. Shift the transmission into reverse or any forward gear.
    5. Observe the operation of the park brake release actuator rod.
    Did the park brake release actuator operate properly? If so, go to next step. If not, Park Brake Pedal Automatic Release System is at fault.
  23. Replace the park brake pedal assembly (not releasing properly). See PARK BRAKE ASSEMBLY  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
    1. With the transmission still in Park or Neutral (to disable the park brake automatic release system); 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 using the manual override release lever.
    4. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag.
    Did the park brake apply and release properly? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  4 .
  25. Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. Did you complete the operation? If so, system is okay.
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