Electronic Parking Brake Gremlins

[glanga]

I've searched forums and TSB's and have found nothing about this. This is the second time my car (03 Prem Sport) has done this. I'll turn the parking brake on, then the next time I go to drive the car, I'll put it in gear (which is supposed to turn the brake off automatically?) the parking brake light will go off but the brake will stay on. The first time I did this I drove for almost two miles not realising this until I decided something was wrong, pulled over and both back brake rotors were literally glowing neon red, smoking, and the rear driver side brake pad was on fire. All I had was a bottle of water to put it out not caring about warping or damaging the brake since my car was on fire. It did it again today but I felt it as soon as I pulled away, shut off the car, started it up put it back into gear and it was fine. The only TSB's I've found are service park brake messages in the message center but I havent gotten one.

Any ideas before I take it to the dealer and they say everything is A-OK.

 

[97stscaddy]

Ive seen several cars at work come in with similar problems. Usually they clean and grease the park brake mechanism and then put it on and off about a million times and send the customer on their way. I think its just one of the risks that you have with an electronic setup.

 

[glanga]

thanks, ill have them check that out hopefully it wont cost a ton. dont know if thats considered warranty. i want to go in and find out my keyless entry keypad code anyway

 

[eastcoastLS]

sorry but this is actually funny, your brake pad was on fire. that must have been a site to see.

 

[glanga]

yeah, two glowing brake rotors looked like something off of a le mans car. the rotor had a small flame, threw soda on it first because that was closest, it shot some sparks out, then i poured water

 

[NYC LS8]

Looking through an OASIS report a friend ran for my LS, I found that my car had a parking brake problem, to which the fix, IIRC, was for them to reprogram something. Mine has started acting up again as of recently.

 

[ToddG]

Over the years with the LS, I've noticed a fair amount of folks reporting sticky brake calipers. I would have that checked ASAP -- it may not be the parking brake itself, but rather the sticking caliper that is the culprit. IIRC, the fix is simply to take the caliper apart, clean and grease it, then reinstall.

Good luck!

 

[glanga]

yeah i thought about that but what are the odds its the two rear at the same exact time.

 

[ToddG]

yeah i thought about that but what are the odds its the two rear at the same exact time.

Not as great as you might think if history is any guide. I would check it anyway.