GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2001 🢒 Prizm 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Park Brake 🢒 Park Brake System Description and Operation

Front Park Brake Cable
Object Number: 425683 Size: MF
(1)Park Brake Front Cable Upper Nut
(2)Park Brake Front Cable Lower Nut
(3)Park Brake Front Cable
(4)Park Brake Cable Equalizer
(5)Park Brake Lever Housing
(6)Park Brake Lever Housing Gasket
(7)Park Brake Indicator Switch Bolt
(8)Park Brake Indicator Switch
(9)Park Brake Lever Bolt
(10)Park Brake Lever Button
(11)Park Brake Lever

The park brake system is a mechanical system. The lever is connected to the front cable. The front cable runs from the lever to the equalizer. The equalizer connects the front cable to the two rear cables. One rear cable runs from the equalizer to each rear wheel. The rear cable engages the rear drum brake mechanism. Applying the park brake prevents the rear wheels from turning.

Park Brake Lever

Pull the lever all the way up in order to apply the park brake.

Complete the following steps in order to release the park brake:

  1. Pull the lever up slightly.
  2. Push in the release button.
  3. Lower the lever.

Rear Park Brake Cable
Object Number: 425699 Size: MF
(1)Park Brake Cable Bolt
(2)Park Brake Cable Bolt
(3)Park Brake Left Rear Cable
(4)Park Brake Cable Clamp
(5)Bolt
(6)Bolt
(7)Park Brake Cable Clamp
(8)Bolt
(9)Park Brake Cable Retainer
(10)Bolt
(11)Park Brake Cable Retainer
(12)Bolt
(13)Park Brake Cable Clamp
(14)Bolt
(15)Park Brake Cable Clamp
(16)Park Brake Right Rear Cable

Park Brake Cables

The twisted strand park brake cables are covered by a plastic material that allows the cables to slide freely.

The front cable is secured to the lever by two nuts. The lower nut controls the adjustment of the park brake. The upper nut locks the lower nut in place.

The front cable is connected to the two rear cables by an equalizer. The equalizer ensures that the braking tension is applied to both brake drums at the same time, and with the same amount of pressure.

BRAKE Indicator

Applying the park brake illuminates the BRAKE indicator on the instrument cluster. For Information regarding the BRAKE indicator, refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gauges, and Console.

Park Brake Switch

The park brake switch mounts to the parking brake lever. The switch is open when the park brake releases. When the park brake lever is pulled up, the switch closes, illuminating the BRAKE indicator.

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

If the engine is started with the park brake engaged, the daytime running lamps (DRL) will not illuminate.

Release the park brake in order to illuminate the DRL.

If the engine is started with the park brake released, the DRL will illuminate. Applying the park brake after starting the engine will not disable the DRL.

For more information regarding DRL, refer to Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation in Lighting Systems.