Auto Parking Brake Release

Check the hose first - if it's okay, the diaphram is probably shot...
A replacement mechanism should be easy to find, from any 80-92 rear-drive Caddy, 77-79 might fit too...

I used to replace a lot of those release mechanisms.
Check into a replacement. I am sure the diaphragm is bad.

Check the vacuum switch on the column too. There are 2 vac lines and 1 or 2 electrical connectors on it.

Where would I find all this stuff? Is it under the dash by the parking brake pedal or do I have to start taking the dash apart? I'm hoping it's just a hose.

I had the parking brake pedal changed on my 85 FWB. The problem is that the diagphram goes out and it is built into the parking brake mechanism. I had the Cadillac dealer change it out.

You'd have to look at the mechanism to see how it's serviced.
Some of them are part of the park lever, but the vacuum ones that I remember (and granted my memory is not good) bolted on to the top of the park brake assembly. You need to remove the hush panel and get under there with a flashlight and look around.

The part that makes the parkign brake release by itself is somewhere by the pedal. You can get that part from the dealer you don't have to change the whole thing. Mine doesn't work either so I bought that part a few years ago but I didn't put it on yet. I don't know where that switch part is but it shouldn't be too hard to find if you just follow the vacuum hoses. The service manual should say how to fix it and where everything is look in it.

Mine on my 94 is bad, but the diaphram is good. It isn't getting enough vacuum (only gets 6 inches or so), any idea where the vacuum goes from the engines to the brake diaphram? And where is the switch that activates it when I shift into gear? I can't seem to find it.

If the automatic realease is not working, how do you release the pedal ? Has anyone converted there's to a manual release control ?

Try this board's search feature. There are some detailed posts on the subject.

ralphb said:

If the automatic realease is not working, how do you release the pedal ? Has anyone converted there's to a manual release control ?

Click to expand...

On my 70 SDV which has auto release as well, there is a manual release handle tucked away up in the dash that you can't see but is still relatively easy to pull. I'd imagine all other Caddy's have this as well?

My 94 there is a manual release also, not hard to get to. But I don't set it now until I get it fixed.

Funny though, my mom and dad drove the car and my mom set it out of habit, and when they tried to come to my place, they didn't know what to do! Glad I had the owners manual in it and my dad found it and released it.

ralphb said:

If the automatic realease is not working, how do you release the pedal ? Has anyone converted there's to a manual release control ?

Click to expand...

There already is one. Look in your owners manual. If you look around the parking brake pedal there's a button for it.

They all have a manual release lever.
In case the automatic one fails. Most of them are just really hard to find because they are tucked way up in there.

Yeah they're up there. Feel around.