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Test Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Cadillac CTS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Were you sent here from Hydraulic Brake Symptom table? If so, go to step  4 . If not, go to next step.
  2. Were you sent here from Park Brake Symptom table? If so, go to step  4 . If not, go to next step.
  3. Is the symptom related to the ability of the park brake system to hold and/or release? If so, go to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - PARK BRAKE  under TROUBLE SHOOTING. If not, go to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - HYDRAULIC BRAKES  under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  4. Raise and support the vehicle with the rear axle supported by jack stands. With the park brake released using the manual override release lever, 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? If so, go to step  11 . If not, go to next step.
  5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. Apply the park brake. 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? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  7 .
  6. Release the park brake. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction in the amount of drag. Did the rear brakes exhibit a significant reduction in the amount of drag? If so, go to step  21 . If not, go to step  11 .
  7. Visually check the park brake cable connections and the cables that are accessible on the underside of the vehicle for disconnections and/or damage. Were any or the park brake cables disconnected and/or damaged? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  9 .
  8. Reconnect or replace the park brake cables as necessary. See PARK BRAKE CABLES  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Did you complete the repair and/or replacement? If so, go to next step.
  9. Check the adjustment of the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  in PARK BRAKE SYSTEM under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Was the park brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  11 . If not, go to next step.
  10. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  in PARK BRAKE SYSTEM under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake? If so, go to step  16 . If not, go to next step.
  11. Remove the rear brake rotors. See BRAKE ROTORS  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect the park brake shoe hardware for looseness, damaged, broken or missing components. Check the park brake actuators for a seized condition. Does the park brake hardware and/or the park brake actuators require replacement? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  13 .
  12. Replace park brake hardware components as necessary. See PARK BRAKE SHOES  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Replace the park brake actuators as necessary. See PARK BRAKE ACTUATOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
  13. Have an assistant apply and release the park brake, while you observe the park brake cables for free movement. Did the park brake cables move freely? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  17 .
  14. Check the adjustment of the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  in PARK BRAKE SYSTEM under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Was the park brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  16 . If not, go to next step.
  15. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  in PARK BRAKE SYSTEM under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  26 .
  16. With the transmission still in NEUTRAL, apply the park brake. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag. Release the park brake. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag. Did the park brake apply and release properly? If so, go to step  28 .
  17. Disconnect the park brake cable connections that are accessible on the UNDERSIDE of the vehicle one at a time and check each cable for free movement. Do any of the park brake cables accessible on the underside of the vehicle require replacement? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  19 .
  18. Replace any of the park brake cables that do not have free movement (not releasing properly). Refer to the following procedures as necessary:
    • Park Brake Pedal Assembly Replacement
    • Park Brake Cable Replacement
    See REMOVAL & INSTALLATION  for proper procedures. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
  19. Disconnect the park brake release handle assembly cable connection from the park brake pedal assembly and check for free movement. Replace the park brake release handle assembly if the release cable does not have free movement. See PARK BRAKE RELEASE HANDLE ASSEMBLY  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Did you find and correct a condition? If so, go to step  24 . If not, go to next step.
  20. Replace the park brake pedal assembly (not releasing properly). See PARK BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to step  25 .
  21. Check the adjustment of the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  in PARK BRAKE SYSTEM under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Is the park brake adjusted properly? If so, go to step  28 . If not, go to next step.
  22. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  in PARK BRAKE SYSTEM under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system? If so, go to step  27 . If not, go to next step.
  23. Remove the rear brake rotors, if they have not yet been removed. See BRAKE ROTORS  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Check the park brake actuators for a seized condition. Replace the park brake actuators as necessary. See PARK BRAKE ACTUATOR  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Did you find and correct a condition? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  26 .
  24. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  in PARK BRAKE SYSTEM under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system? If so, go to step  27 . If not, go to step  26 .
  25. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  in PARK BRAKE SYSTEM under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Were you able to attain adjustment of the park brake system? If so, go to step  27 .
  26. Replace the component that is used to adjust the park brake system. See PARK BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Adjust the park brake. See PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT  in PARK BRAKE SYSTEM under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Did you complete the replacement and adjustment? If so, go to next step.
  27. With the transmission still in NEUTRAL, apply the park brake. Attempt to rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant amount of drag. Release the park brake. Rotate the rear wheels to check the rear brakes for a significant reduction of drag. Did the park brake apply and release properly? If so, go to next step.
  28. Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. Did you complete the operation? If so, then system is okay. If system is not okay, go to step  2 .
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