04 Cavalier E-Brake doesn't release?

[jayshay]

I'm currently over in Iraq at the moment, where I discovered this great site. My wife is having a situation with our cavalier, the e-brake is stuck and won't release. I wish I could give a better description of the problem, but that is the best she can describe to me. There hasn't been any work done to it, and never had any problems before. She drove it, parked, and the next time she drove it, she said she got in, put it into gear( it's a manual), and it refused to go anywhere. If anybody can give me a clue on what can be causing it I would be ever grateful. Thanks.

-Update a little more info, my wife says that the handle on the E-brake will go down. When she puts it into 1st gear and presses on the gas, it actually raises up the front end, but wont go anywhere. I don't know if the brakes are stuck, the tires are jammed or what? Any Ideas???

[J-Ri]

What usually happens is the cables get water in them, they rust, and the cable binds. Have her try wiggling both cables from the drums up to where they go inside the car. Sometimes that is enough to break the rust free and at least get the car to move. Otherwise need a tow truck to get it to where it can be worked on. Usually when this happens the drums need to be forced off with a hammer and prybars. If this is the case, expect at least a couple hours of labor and possibly new rear brakes (that will depend on what all breaks when the drum finally comes off).