As if the A/C Compressor seizing in the hot weather wasn't enough, today the e-brake has stuck on and I have no idea how I am going to release it. At least it happened when I had it parked in my garage.

What happened was, I pushed the car about half a metre forward in the garage and then pulled on the handbrake as I normally do. Then shortly after I got into the car, started it up and tried to release the handbrake but it wouldn't disengage. The button on the lever isn't popping out either so I can't try to disengage it at all. Is there any way I can bypass this??

Thanks.

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James

RHD 1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

[This message has been edited by James_GT (edited 12-24-2009).]

Mine did the same thing. Cutoff wheel+cables=no more e brake. I replaced the cables and now it works fine.

Sounds more to me like the ratchet mechanism in the handle has failed rather than a cable seizing. To get to the ratchet mechanism, remove the plastic trim panel that surrounds the lower door frame (a bunch of 7mm screws under little round trim caps), then pull out a little button on the plastic collar of the lever boot to enable you to remove the boot entirely. This will give you complete access to the ratchet mechanism and you should be able to figure out what's gone wrong.

If a cable is seized as well, then once you've released the ratchet mechanism and lowered the hand brake, then lay down on the floor and grab the e brake cable from the rear of the car and give it a pull. This frees up the cables most of the time, but it's also a sign that you should consider replacing the cable that's giving you grief before it seizes for good.

Edited to add picture: From this picture you can see how there's just a little toothed quadrant and a dog that keeps the tension on the cable. You should be able to release the dog with a screw driver. (The rusty handle is quite a piece eh? Hopefully you don't find yours to be in that condition!)

[This message has been edited by Bloozberry (edited 12-24-2009).]

I'm not able to help the situation at all... but I will say... Never had an Ebrake on a fiero work... all 4 of my fieros I've had them disconnected :P

Mine is broke also, and I'm not sure if it has to be fixed. We have a safety inspection to get registered and I don't know if that is part of it. Mine I can engage it, but when I disengage it the cable doesn't move back. If I go underneath the back I can pull the cables manually and get it to release, but I don't know why it won't do it the way it should be.

Thanks everyone for your quick & informative responses

Bloozberry, your helpful information on the handle fixed the problem! I had another look at the handle this morning and noticed that the little pin that holds the handle to the lever was missing and all I had to do was pull the handle back on properly and I could depress the button and release the handbrake! Something so stupid and simple had me totally freaked out for a moment. Now I've got to find another pin to hold the handle on so I won't have that problem again.

I'd give you a plus, but you already had one from me.

Merry Christmas.

James.

quote Originally posted by Khw: Mine is broke also, and I'm not sure if it has to be fixed. We have a safety inspection to get registered and I don't know if that is part of it. Mine I can engage it, but when I disengage it the cable doesn't move back. If I go underneath the back I can pull the cables manually and get it to release, but I don't know why it won't do it the way it should be.

Yes, the e-brake is part of every inspection.

I've delt with this problem before.

Pull the cables off the e-brake lever and make sure that they travel freely, if not you can replace them or pull them off and work them free up on a work bench using synthetic brake grease. I have done both ways, easier to call Fiero Store or Rock auto for me.

The 25-year old e-brake springs have lost their tension, new ones available from Fiero Store.

Gunk and rust has built up under the e-brake lever on the caliper. Carefully pull the lever off and clean up the rust debris, give it a good slather of synthetic brake grease.

Before you start thinking about servicing the brake system, do yourself a big favor and spray the e-brake equealizer/ tensioner with PB Blaster for a week in advance. You may need some heat to break it loose too but put the odds of success in your favor by soaking the equealizer big time first.

Good luck and if you call the Fiero Store be sure to mention that you're a member of PFF so you can get a 10% discount on most non-GM parts. I like to support the good folks at Fiero store as they help me keep my little car running.

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jetman
Silver 86 SE 2M6 4-speed, with "check wallet light"
Now fortified with 8 essential slices of bacon goodness

quote Originally posted by jetman: Yes, the e-brake is part of every inspection. I've delt with this problem before. Pull the cables off the e-brake lever and make sure that they travel freely, if not you can replace them or pull them off and work them free up on a work bench using synthetic brake grease. I have done both ways, easier to call Fiero Store or Rock auto for me. The 25-year old e-brake springs have lost their tension, new ones available from Fiero Store. Gunk and rust has built up under the e-brake lever on the caliper. Carefully pull the lever off and clean up the rust debris, give it a good slather of synthetic brake grease. Before you start thinking about servicing the brake system, do yourself a big favor and spray the e-brake equealizer/ tensioner with PB Blaster for a week in advance. You may need some heat to break it loose too but put the odds of success in your favor by soaking the equealizer big time first. Good luck and if you call the Fiero Store be sure to mention that you're a member of PFF so you can get a 10% discount on most non-GM parts. I like to support the good folks at Fiero store as they help me keep my little car running.

Sweet! Thanks!

Once it warms up I will tear into them and see if I can get them working. Probably end up ordering the springs and cables. I really don't want to take it for inspection and have it fail over something like the e-brake.

before you get into all the mechanics,try pulling all the way up on the brake handle and push the button in. I have that problem occassionaly and that always clears it up.

quote Originally posted by plumcoco: before you get into all the mechanics,try pulling all the way up on the brake handle and push the button in. I have that problem occassionaly and that always clears it up.

I've done that. I pulled the boot and plastic around it off and you can see the arm release and rotate back while the cable just keeps hanging out where it was. Making sure the button was working right was my first thought.