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Park Brake System Testing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Cadillac Eldorado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Were you sent here from a Hydraulic Brake Symptom table? If so, go to step  4 . If not, go to next step.
  2. Were you sent here from a 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  . If not, then see DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - HYDRAULIC BRAKES  .
  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  11 . 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  21 . If not, go to step  11 .
  7. Visually inspect the park brake cable connections and the cables that are accessible on the underside of the vehicle for disconnections and/or damage. Were any of 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. See PARK BRAKE CABLE - FRONT  , PARK BRAKE CABLE - INTERMEDIATE  , PARK BRAKE CABLE - LEFT REAR  and PARK BRAKE CABLE - RIGHT REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After completing the repair and/or replacement, go to next step.
  9. Inspect the adjustment of the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Was the park brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  11 . If not, go to next step.
  10. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Were you able to adjust the park brake? If so, go to step  16 . If not, go to next step.
  11. Disconnect the rear park brake cables from the brake caliper apply levers. Using a wrench on each of the caliper piston apply lever bolts, apply and release the levers. Observe for free motion during apply and free and complete return when released. Did the brake caliper piston apply levers move freely during apply, and freely and completely return during release? If so, go to step  13 . If not, go to next step.
  12. Replace the rear brake caliper, or calipers as necessary. See BRAKE CALIPER - REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
  13. Have an assistant apply and manually release the park brake, while you observe the park brake cables for free movement. Did the park brake cables move freely? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  17 .
  14. Inspect the adjustment of the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Was the park brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  16 . If not, go to next step.
  15. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Were you able to adjust the park brake? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  24 .
  16. With the transmission still in 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. Release the park brake using the manual override release lever. 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  34 .
  17. 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. Do any of the park brake cables accessible on the underside of the vehicle require replacement? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  19 .
  18. Replace any of the park brake cables that do not have free movement - not releasing properly. See PARK BRAKE CABLE - FRONT  , PARK BRAKE CABLE - INTERMEDIATE  , PARK BRAKE CABLE - LEFT REAR  and PARK BRAKE CABLE - RIGHT REAR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After completing the repair and/or replacement, go to next step.
  19. Disconnect the front park brake cable connection accessible INSIDE the vehicle at the park brake pedal assembly and inspect for free movement. Replace the front park brake cable if the cable does not have free movement. See PARK BRAKE CABLE - FRONT  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Did you find and correct a condition? If so, go to step  22 . If not, go to next step.
  20. Replace the park brake pedal assembly - not releasing properly. See PARK BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to step  23 .
  21. Inspect the adjustment of the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Is the park brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  34 . If not, go to next step.
  22. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Were you able to adjust the park brake? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  24 .
  23. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Were you able to adjust the park brake? If so, go to step  25 .
  24. Replace the component that is used to adjust the park brake system. See PARK BRAKE CABLE EQUALIZER  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Did you complete the replacement and adjustment? If so, go to next step.
  25. Verify the operation system of the park brake pedal automatic release system:
    1. Apply the park brake.
    2. Start the engine and allow the engine to idle.
    3. Shift the transmission into Reverse or any Forward gear.
    4. Observe the park brake pedal assembly for automatic release of the pedal.
    Did the park brake pedal assembly release automatically? If so, go to step  33 . If not, go to next step.
    1. Disconnect the vacuum source hose from the park brake release vacuum actuator.
    2. Connect a vacuum gage to the actuator vacuum source hose.
    3. Start the engine and allow the engine to idle.
    4. Shift the transmission into Reverse or any Forward gear.
    5. Measure the vacuum at the release actuator vacuum source hose.
    Is the vacuum reading within 14-20 in. Hg (47-68 kPa)? If so, go to step  28 . If not, go to next step.
  27. Repair the vacuum source fault. See Fig 1 . After correcting the condition, go to next step.
  28. Connect a hand vacuum pump to the park brake release vacuum actuator. Apply 14-20 in. Hg (47-68 kPa) to the release actuator. Does the park brake release vacuum actuator hold vacuum? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  30 .
  29. Did the park brake pedal assembly release? If so, go to step  33 . If not, go to step  32 .
  30. Replace the park brake release vacuum actuator. See PARK BRAKE RELEASE SOLENOID  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
  31. Connect a hand vacuum pump to the park brake release vacuum actuator. Apply 14-20 in. Hg (47-68 kPa) to the release actuator. Did the park brake pedal assembly release? If so, go to step  33 . If not, go to next step.
  32. Replace the park brake pedal assembly. See PARK BRAKE PEDAL 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 next step.
  34. Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. Retest system operation.
Fig 1: Vacuum Control Actuators
G00070635Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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