Park Brake System Description and Operation LHD
Important: Plastic coated park brake cables do not need periodic lubrication.
Coated park brake cables are used to reduce apply effort and increase corrosion protection. The cables are coated with a plastic material which slides against nylon seals inside the conduit end fittings.
The park brake lever has an indicator switch which closes when the park brake is set, thus illuminating the red BRAKE lamp.
Park brake lever/cable adjustment is automatic. Cycling the lever two to three times should result in properly adjusting the park brake after disabling it for service.
Park brake application is completely independent of the hydraulic brake system. The park brake system is a mechanical system which operates the rear disc brakes through the calipers. The system is activated by depressing the park brake pedal, which applies the rear disc brakes via cables. When the park brake is set and the ignition switch is on, the BRAKE warning lamp on the instrument panel will be on. The park brake is released by pushing the pedal down until a click is heard and then releasing. The pedal will click again and the BRAKE lamp in the instrument panel will go out when the park brake system is fully released.
Park Brake System Description and Operation w/RHD
Important: Use care when performing service operations on or around park brake cables. Damage to the plastic coating will reduce corrosion protection and if the damaged area passes through the seal, increased park brake effort could result. Contacting the coating with sharp-edged tools, or with sharp surfaces of the vehicle underbody, should be avoided.
The park brake system is a mechanical and electrical system which operates on the rear disc brakes. The system is activated by depressing a foot pedal lever assembly, which sets the rear brake caliper via cables. The park brake is released by shifting the vehicle out of park or activating the manual release.
Park Brake Set
The park brake can be set only when the gear shift lever is in Park or Neutral. The rear integration module (RIM) deactivates both park brake release solenoids and the park brake can be set.
Park Brake Release
The rear integration module (RIM) controls the operation of the electric release park brake. The RIM uses serial data messages to determine if the correct conditions exist to release the park brake. The park brake is released under the following conditions:
| • | The engine is ON. |
| • | The gear shift lever is not in Park or Neutral. |
| • | The park brake switch is closed. |
When all of the above conditions exist, the RIM releases the park brake by simultaneously activating the 2 park brake solenoids. After 2 seconds, the RIM deactivates solenoid A. The RIM continues to activate solenoid B while the above conditions exist, which prevents the park brake from being set.
Brake System Indicators
Reference numbers are used in conjunction with a DIC warning message on export vehicles only.
BRAKE
The IPC illuminates the BRAKE indicator and sends a serial data message in order to activate an audible warning when the following occurs:
| • | The IPC detects that the park is applied signal circuit is low. |
| • | The IPC detects a low brake fluid condition signal circuit is low. |
| • | The electronic brake control module (EBCM) detects a malfunction with the antilock brake system. The IPC receives a serial data message from the EBCM requesting illumination. |
| • | The IPC detects a loss of communications with the EBCM and the discrete back-up ABS indicator signal is open. |
| • | The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds. |
CHECK BRAKE FLUID - 37
The IPC illuminates the CHECK BRAKE FLUID -- 37 indicator in the DIC and sends a serial data message in order to activate an audible warning when the IPC detects that the brake fluid level is below the normal operating range.
