1994 Town Car - stuck parking brake

[epickett]

The car hadn't been used in a while, and I stupidly stepped on the parking brake. Now it won't release. It's a push on/push off, but it won't clear even when pushing it to the floor. How do I get it to release? I don't know a lot about cars, so please be gentle...<g> Thanks!

Eldred

[All2kool]

Originally Posted by epickett

The car hadn't been used in a while, and I stupidly stepped on the parking brake. Now it won't release. It's a push on/push off, but it won't clear even when pushing it to the floor. How do I get it to release? I don't know a lot about cars, so please be gentle...<g> Thanks!

Eldred

Start the vehicle and place it in DRIVE.

[epickett]

Thanks for the quick reply! I tried Drive, and tried Reverse. It didn't help. Is that supposed to automatically release it, or do I have to hit the release pedal at the same time? I didn't think to try *that*.

[All2kool]

Originally Posted by epickett

Thanks for the quick reply! I tried Drive, and tried Reverse. It didn't help. Is that supposed to automatically release it, or do I have to hit the release pedal at the same time? I didn't think to try *that*.

It suppose to release when put in any gear I believe. While it is running, and in Drive, mash the brake pedal a little more and see if that releases it.

[Bigdan10181]

If the cables are rusted on the inside then you need new cable. If it is rear disc brakes you are in luck and can usually pry off the ends a replace them when you can. If it is drum, it is more difficult. You can try to beat the drums off or you can cut the cables as close to the shield as possible and hope the trouble spot is higher up in the cable.

[half-fast]

Originally Posted by Bigdan10181

If the cables are rusted on the inside then you need new cable. If it is rear disc brakes you are in luck and can usually pry off the ends a replace them when you can. If it is drum, it is more difficult. You can try to beat the drums off or you can cut the cables as close to the shield as possible and hope the trouble spot is higher up in the cable.

I was looking at my 93 disc brake parking cable yesterday and saw that it is worn through the casing in 2 places where it is rubbing.... and there is rust at those points. So my cable will be giving me problems soon. Typically it will apply and will not release when the cable is rusted inside. Foot pressure with leverage is much stronger than the return springs pressure. But... the OP problem may be related to the front assembly and not the cable.

[Bigdan10181]

Does the front assy have its own return spring? If not or it is broken, I can stand by tge cable theory with confidence.

[half-fast]

Originally Posted by Bigdan10181

Does the front assy have its own return spring? If not or it is broken, I can stand by tge cable theory with confidence.

Yes... the pedal does have it's own spring. It's one of those "wound" springs... and it's very weak. But that's probably not a factor... if the "automatic release" mechanism does not work, the pedal will not come up. But I'm on the same page as you... because the car sat... probably a rusted/stuck cable.