GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Yes

No

DEFINITION: This diagnostic table is designed to diagnose ONLY the components of the PARK brake system in order to determine if the PARK brake system is operating properly. You will be directed by the appropriate Symptom table to go to other brake system diagnostic tables as appropriate.

1

Were you sent here from a Hydraulic Brake Symptom table?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 2

2

Were you sent here from a Park Brake Symptom table?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3

Is the symptom related to the ability of the park brake system to hold and/or release?

Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Park Brake

Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Hydraulic Brakes in Hydraulic Brakes

4

  1. Raise and support the vehicle with the rear axle supported by jack stands. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. With the park brake RELEASED, attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.

Do the rear brakes have a significant amount of drag?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Apply the park brake.
  2. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag.

Do the rear brakes have a significant amount of drag?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 6

6

Reconnect or replace the park brake cables as necessary. Refer to the following procedures as necessary:

        The front park brake cable and the park brake pedal are replaced as an assembly.

Did you complete the repair and/or replacement?

Go to Step 13

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7

  1. Disconnect the intermediate park brake cable from the front cable. Refer to Parking Brake Intermediate Cable Replacement .
  2. Disconnect the rear park brake cables from the brake caliper piston apply levers. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side and Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side .
  3. Inspect the intermediate and rear park brake cables for free movement.
  4. Apply and release the brake caliper piston apply levers. Observe for the following:
  5. • Free motion of the piston apply levers during apply and free and complete return to the stops when released
    • Free movement of the caliper pistons during apply and free return movement when released

Do any of the park brake cables checked require replacement?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

8

Did the brake caliper piston apply levers move freely during apply and freely and completely return to the stops during release; and did the caliper pistons exhibit freedom of movement during apply and release?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

9

Replace any of the park brake cables inspected that do not have free movement. Refer to the following procedures:

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

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10

  1. Reconnect the intermediate and rear park brake cables if they have been disconnected. Refer to the following procedures:
  2. Grasp the intermediate park brake cable and pull downward to check the amount of tension on the park brake cables.
  3. The park brake cables should have a moderate amount of tension.

  4. Quickly release the intermediate cable and observe for a quick and complete return of the cable.

Did the park brake cables have a moderate amount of tension and exhibit a quick and complete return?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

11

Replace the appropriate rear brake caliper. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

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12

Inspect the park brake pedal assembly for proper operation and replace if necessary. Refer to Parking Brake Lever Pedal Assembly Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

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13

  1. Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis.
  2. Verify the operation of the park brake system.

Does the park brake operate correctly?

System OK

Go to Symptoms - Park Brake