'89 Vette parking brake issue.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
'89 Vette parking brake issue.
My "new" '89, 6-speed vert has developed an inoperative parking brake, i.e. the brake is "set" and will not release.
I just started using the parking brake because it's a 6-speed manual and think I have pulled the handle up too hard and far. When I pull it up and try to engage with the plunger on the handle end it will not engage the brake mechanism.
I don't yet have an '89 FSM and my '88 FSM parking brake illustrations do not look like the actual '89 brake mechanism.
I have already tried depressing the brake pedal with engine running but still can't engage the unit to release it.
Is there a good procedure to get the parking brake to engage and release?
I just started using the parking brake because it's a 6-speed manual and think I have pulled the handle up too hard and far. When I pull it up and try to engage with the plunger on the handle end it will not engage the brake mechanism.
I don't yet have an '89 FSM and my '88 FSM parking brake illustrations do not look like the actual '89 brake mechanism.
I have already tried depressing the brake pedal with engine running but still can't engage the unit to release it.
Is there a good procedure to get the parking brake to engage and release?
Last edited by 65Z01; Feb 10, 2019 at 12:52 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 502
Likes: 37
From: Pine Barrens New Jersey
If you have pulled it up too tight then your in a pickle. You can try to hercules it further (use 2 people) to get the pawl to release with the button but you might have to get under there and look for somewhere to make up slack so you can release it. Or possibly take it apart at the handle/self adjuster which is probably what I would do.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
OK, after probing the PB mechanism here/there with a large screwdriver there was a sudden metallic "pop" and the car began to roll slowly backward.
Don't know exactly what got "triggered" but working fine now. Reconnected the electrical plug, so the dash will remind me to release the brake, and just slid the cover over the PB assembly...for now.
I'm finding that "driving stick" again is a little more than just getting back clutch & RPM "feel"...
Don't know exactly what got "triggered" but working fine now. Reconnected the electrical plug, so the dash will remind me to release the brake, and just slid the cover over the PB assembly...for now.
I'm finding that "driving stick" again is a little more than just getting back clutch & RPM "feel"...
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I had the same problem one time after school. The way I unlocked it was to see where the plunger actually hits the brake mechanism and I used a screwdriver to release it. I also noticed that the actual rod that hits the parking brake mechanism was bent outward from it making it extremely difficult to disengage. Maybe check that for yourself?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 397
Likes: 29
From: Jackson, mi
i may be in the wrong here but... usually when the e brake sticks like that it means the cables are rusted/ clogged up with gunk or whatever... again. i may be wrong i know little about corvettes, but i do know about cars in general. especially common on an automatic car where the park brake is never really used.
