95 atx 200k miles - emergency brake auto release

[Surfpozer]

When I first got this car, it has this cool feature. Even though the car is an atx, I've always owned MTX's and applied parking brake before I put into gear.
One cool feature of this SHO i have was when I placed the ATX gear selecter into 'D', the parking brake (foot pedal) would automatically release with a *thump* (noise of foot pedal releasing rather quickly)

Now the brake no longer does this. The dummy light is still on the dash to remind me to release... but why doesn't it release automatically? I can not remember any actual work done to merit me causing a problem.

Thanks.

 

[hawkeye18]

it's vacuum-actuated; either vacuum is no longer being applied in drive or the line fell off. If you stick your head up in the footwell you should be able to see it (if it's there) leading to the back of the parking brake assembly. Remove the line and check for a vacuum in drive... obviously this is a fairly dangerous procedure; make sure you have precautions in place (chocks, etc.) before you try this just in case the parking brake (which should be on) magically decides to undo itself. Obviously the engine needs to be running if it's going to supply vacuum.

 

[firebat45]

I wish MTX SHOs had this too...

 

[Surfpozer]

thank you... i'll check it out and let you know what i find.

 

[projectSHO89]

I wish MTX SHOs had this too...

Can't since you don't have a D position.....and the only electrical sensor is the clutch switch.

 

[Surfpozer]

Update:
Followed vacuum lines going from firewall near master cycliner into the car. They are little black vacuum lines. One has vacuum, the other doesn't.
The one that doesn't goes to the e-brake pedal. (be careful when playing with where this line connects, because you can easily activate it and break a finger from the e-brake pedal slamming forward!)

The other vacuum line went to the shifter handle. So I took the console apart... and viola! One line was disconnected from the shifter handle. I plugged it in, and now I have my automatic brake release again.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[hawkeye18]

Yaaay! I'm glad you got it fixed. I hadn't thought of the line going to the shifter, though it seems obvious in retrospect. Good troubleshooting!