My parking breaks are locked! what can I do?

Question

Hi, I posted on here not too long ago that my car would not shift out of park. A friend helped me look at my car, and it seems like my car IS shifting gears, but for some reason, my parking breaks aren't releasing. What can I do? Is there a way to release them? Or do I need to send it to a mechanic, and if so, can my car be towed there if my brakes are locked? My car will go into neutral, but the locks stay on.

Thanks!!

sorry, that last sentance should say that the BRAKES stay locked.

Answer 1

Is it a position thing? My parking brakes will appear off, but if you jiggle the handle they really are slightly on. The jiggling releases them fully.

If they are fully engaged, there should be a button to release the brakes. Jiggle that too to help disengage the brakes.

Or your brake fluid may be low. If the fluid's low, the brakes will stick into whatever position they stop in.

Answer 2

There are 2 (on my old ford 3 speed auto) brake bands within the gearbox that actuate in combination to give you your gears

an automatic gearbox is a complex piece of equipment that normally gives trouble free use if it is not abused

I think you need the advice of a competent mechanic that you trust, it may be more than the value of the car to fix it

Answer 3

I can think of two things to try, first try putting the car in reverse and see if the parking breaks release, Sometimes they will pop loose in reverse when they won't in forward. Second if to jack the car up and pull the wheels and manually release the brakes by disassembling them.

Answer 4

Call the Auto Club and have your car tow to the mechanic's

Answer 5

Relieve tention of the emergency brake cable, you can cut it or maybe take it apart

Answer 6

unlock them