[LegendFan91]

Alright. Here's the deal. It's freezing cold and snowing here in Northern Indiana. I am driving back from my friends place and I feel like the emergency brake is still on even though I have released it. The light is on in the dash that says Brake, but that light is always on, along with a few others...
I've accidentally left my e-brake on enough times in other cars to know what it feels like to drive with it on. So I'm basically sure that is what it is. I tried engaging and disengaging the the handle a few times, but i think the brake itself is stuck. Anyone ever have this happen before?? Any suggestions at all on how to fix it? Would it be a simple (read: quick and cheap) procedure to get it done by a mechanic? We're looking at an overnight low of 3 and a high of 14 here tomorrow, so it's not going to warm up anytime soon to see if that will help release it. Any advice would be appreciated. Or if you guys think the problem might not be the e-brake, lemme know. Thank you very much.

 

[LPB]

If this car were a Corvette, then the problem could be the parts within the hub. Since it isn't the most commmon cause for a "stuck" parking brake is rusted cables. If you wish to check for a parking brake having failed to retract, just drive for 5 min and then carefully touch the surface of the each of the rotors. Stuck = Friction = Heat.

If the cable is rusted into the sleeve, one quick fix is to remove the cable end from the wheel end, use rust penetrant and with a vise grip pull on the cable end. This is only a quick fix as it does not correct how moisture penetrated the cable housing and you could damage the cable itself. If it is the cable, it is best to just buy and install new cables.

Your msg stated other indicator lamps are activated. A parking brake not fully retracted will trigger the SRS indicator lamp.

As your vehicle is a 1991, I would hazard a guess that the problem could more accurately be a caliper failing to fully retract, although this would not cause the BRAKE warning indicator to be activated.

 

[Guest]

When your brake fluid is low, the e-brake light and the ABS light come on. So that might give you a starting point.

Start up the car and get it warm, pump the brakes a little to get the fluid moving, then check the brake fluid level. Just getting the brake fluid level back to normal might fix your problem.

 

[LegendFan91]

Thanks to both you guys for the responses.

 

[49ER DJ]

When your brake fluid is low, the e-brake light and the ABS light come on. So that might give you a starting point.

Start up the car and get it warm, pump the brakes a little to get the fluid moving, then check the brake fluid level. Just getting the brake fluid level back to normal might fix your problem.

Yea I agree with Cole on this. It happens to be a good thing that the light comes on to let you know your low on fluid , but alot of people dont know this about the Legend. Also when is the last time you had it all looked at. You could be low on brake pads and this will also make your E-Brake stick. I would just take it in and have it all looked at and also sprayed clean with brake cleaner. I have my shop do it every month.

A ounce of prevention goes along ways.
Good Luck

 

[Merlin the Wrench]

you said it felt like the e-brake was on.

I pulled into a burger place to eat one night and pulled up my e-brakes. It had been raining and the weather was turning below freezing. The guy getting out of his truck next to me said "You'll be sorry if you leave those emergency brakes on. They will be damp from the rain and will freeze solid to the drums. You'll have to get someone out here with a blow torch to warm them up before they unlock." I followed his advise. Is it possible that is what happened to you?

 

[Uncle Stinky]

I second what Merlin said... I never use my ebrake when It's below freezing....unless I'm ABSOLUTELY sure they are dry.

 

[FF Drifter]

The Legends use an integrated e-brake; it is a parking brake DRUM within the actual disc of the car. The rotors will NOT get hot even if youre e-brake is stuck.

I'd check the release cables first (hey I'm pretty short on ideas)

 

[mocca]

I'm in the same situation to you. I left my car with the parking brake on for 1.5 month (I totally forgot about this and left for vacation). Now I cannot release the parking brake. The light remains on but I feel that the rear parking brake is released (i.e., I can move the car but still feel that it is stickier than normal). When I pull the parking brake up, the rear brake work so I know that the only fronts are locked up now. Any ideas?

Mocca

 

[Uncle Stinky]

Mocca, Your e-brake only engages the rear "drum" portion of your brakes. If you are feeling drag when you roll or come to a stop with the e-brake released, then something is not completely releasing. If it is cold and you suspect ice, then thaw them out. If this doesn't do the trick, it's time to dig deeper. Most of the time you can hear which wheels are dragging... hopefully this will help find a starting point. If you are sure it is your front brakes, you either have a caliper that isn't releasing completely, or isn't floating corectly. Either way, it's time to do front brakes. Your calipers will need to be either rebuilt or replaced. Good luck.

 

[mocca]

Thanks Searchin4acoupe. One question, am I understand correctly from what you said that the e-brake only engage (or work) on the rear wheels?

I believe the e-brake are completely off since I can drive the car perfectly fine now and the e-brake is working if I pull it up. Look like the drag are caused by the low tire pressure and ice. The brake light (and also the ABS light) is gone now after I put in the brake fluid (it is very low). Thanks.

Mocca

 

[FF Drifter]

E-brake on almost all cars only engage the rear wheels. On the Legend, it happens to engage an internal drum that is within the disc setup itself.

 

[LegendFan91]

My problem was also due to low brake fluid, I believe. I took it into a shop last week, and they said that they checked the brake fluid and it was low, so they topped it off. Once they had it up on the lift they said they couldn't see anything wrong with the e-brake, probably because once it got in somewhere warm it thawed out and released. So they charged me $2.63 for their time and brake fluid (a steal compared to what i know repairs are capable of costing on a car like this) and sent me on my way. Now neither the ABS light or the BRAKE light comes on anymore. My ABS also works all the time. Thanks again for all who replied.

 

[mocca]

Thanks. I also think that the problem is combined between the freezing e-brake and low brake fluid.

Mocca

 

[49ER DJ]

My problem was also due to low brake fluid, I believe. I took it into a shop last week, and they said that they checked the brake fluid and it was low, so they topped it off. Once they had it up on the lift they said they couldn't see anything wrong with the e-brake, probably because once it got in somewhere warm it thawed out and released. So they charged me $2.63 for their time and brake fluid (a steal compared to what i know repairs are capable of costing on a car like this) and sent me on my way. Now neither the ABS light or the BRAKE light comes on anymore. My ABS also works all the time. Thanks again for all who replied.

Ok the only thing that fixed your lights was the fluid. That was due to the sensor in the brake fluid. That what I said to check before. Gald that was the problem.

But as for that fixing the Parking (E) Brake, Fluid has nothing to do with that part. Your entire E-Brake system is a cable only and no fluids are used in this at all. If it is starting to stick or any other problems it could be that your E-Brake pads are getting worn.

Dont ever let any shop try and pull the fake one on you and say here is some fluid, all your problems are fixed. Fluid can not fix a cable system.

Good Luck

 

[whitecoupe]

I had two frozen, that is rusted calipers, on my coupe. I had similar problems in the winter with my e brake. Always try not to use the e brake in the winter unless absolutely neccessary. I had to replace my rotors because of the caliper problem.

 

[cinamax]

I need some help on this subject so i think i should post here..

its a similar problem with my brakes, not sure if it is ebrake but the brake light indicator comes on when the car is going up hill and goes off when the car goes down hill...

is it a fluid related problem?

 

[Guest]

I need some help on this subject so i think i should post here..

its a similar problem with my brakes, not sure if it is ebrake but the brake light indicator comes on when the car is going up hill and goes off when the car goes down hill...

is it a fluid related problem?

Yes, your brake fluid is low. mine started doing that, and a couple weeks later the ebrake and abs light came on... I also noticed the brakes were not as strong as normal... So yes, your fluid is low.

Start up the car and get it warm, pump the brakes a little to get the fluid moving, then check the brake fluid level. Just getting the brake fluid level back to normal might fix your problem. Also, be sure to check both Reservoirs (one on the drivers side and one on the passenger side)