Ford Fiesta Quiz
Brake System

Parking Brake - Diagnosis and Testing

In this manual: Brake System
Service Information — 27Suspension — 48Transmission — 9Brake System — 52Steering — 21Engine — 140Manual Transmission, Clutch, Transfer Case and Power Transfer Unit — 48Exhaust System — 6Fuel System — 21Climate Control System — 58Instrumentation and Warning Systems — 26Battery and Charging System — 20Infotainment Systems — 41Lighting — 29Power Distribution — 11Electronic Function Group — 30Body and Paint — 275Frame and Mounting — 3
~8min read

Symptom Chart

Symptom Chart: Parking Brake and Actuation

The diagnosis in this manual assumes a certain level of skill and knowledge of Ford-approved diagnostic procedures.
REFER TO: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

Check the parking brake system operation with the vehicle on a hoist and the parking brake lever fully released. Inspect the cables for damage and install new components as necessary.

The first sign that something may be wrong with the parking brake system is a change in the feel of the parking brake control. The parking brake not holding on a grade or slipping after release are also indicators of system problems.

  • Verify the customer concern.
  • Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical damage.
  • If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause.
  • If the cause is not visually evident, verify the symptom and go to the symptom chart below.
Condition Possible Sources Action
Brake system warning indicator is always on.
  • Parking brake not fully released
  • Low brake fluid level
  • Wiring, Terminals or Connectors
  • Brake master cylinder not functioning
Refer to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes).
Parking brake not applying or not holding the vehicle Rear brake shoes not adjusted CHECK the rear brake shoe adjustment, ADJUST as necessary.
Refer to: Brake Shoe Adjustment (206-02 Drum Brake, General Procedures).
  • Parking brake cable
  • Parking brake control
  • Rear brake caliper(s)
  • Parking brake cable equalizer
  • Rear brake pads and/or hardware
 GO to Pinpoint Test A
Parking brake does not release
  • Parking brake cable
  • Parking brake control
  • Rear brake caliper(s)
  • Parking brake cable equalizer
  • Rear brake pads and/or hardware
 GO to Pinpoint Test B

Pinpoint Tests

Parking brake does not apply or does not hold the vehicle

Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms

When the parking brake lever is pulled, the parking brake equalizer pulls on both rear parking brake cables, which are attached to the parking brake actuators and apply the brake shoes/pads.


DIAGNOSTIC PINPOINT TEST A: THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT APPLY OR DOES NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE
A1 CHECK THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL
  • Pull the parking brake control lever up.

Does the parking brake lever move?
Yes GO to A2
No GO to A3
A2 CHECK THE FOLLOWING PARKING BRAKE COMPONENTS
  • Parking brake control
  • Front parking brake cable
  • Rear parking brake cables and/or equalizer
  • Rear brake caliper actuators
  • Rear brake pads and/or hardware

Is any damage found or any components disconnected?
Yes CONNECT the parking brake component(s) or INSTALL new parking brake component(s) as necessary.
ADJUST the parking brake cables.
Refer to: Parking Brake Cable Adjustment (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, General Procedures).
Refer to: Parking Brake Cable Adjustment - 1.6 L EcoBoost (132 kW/180 L PS) - Sigma (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, General Procedures).
No For vehicles with drum brakes, VERIFY that the rear brake shoe and brake drum thickness are within specification.
Refer to: Specifications (206-00 Brake System - General Information, Specifications).
If the rear brake shoes and drums are within specification, adjust the rear brake shoes. REFER TO: Brake Shoe Adjustment (206-02 Drum Brake, General Procedures). For vehicles with disc brakes, VERIFY that the rear brake pads and brake discs are within thickness specification.
Refer to: Specifications (206-00 Brake System - General Information, Specifications).
If the rear brake pads and brake discs are within specification, INSTALL a new rear brake caliper. Refer to: Brake Caliper (206-04 Rear Disc Brake, Removal and Installation).
A3 DISCONNECT THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND THE FRONT PARKING BRAKE CABLE
  • Disconnect the front parking brake cable from the rear parking brake cable equalizer.
  • Pull the parking brake control lever up.

Does the parking brake control lever move?
Yes For vehicles with drum brakes, GO to A4.
For vehicles with disc brakes, GO to A5.
No INSTALL a new parking brake lever or a new front parking brake cable, if necessary.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Control (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, Removal and Installation).
A4 Rear Parking Brake Cable Isolation (Drum Brakes)
  • Disconnect the rear parking brake cable from the rear extension cable at the affected wheel end.
  • While holding the cable conduit, try to move the cable inside the conduit.

Does the cable move freely inside the cable conduit?
Yes GO to A6
No INSTALL new rear parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, Removal and Installation).
A5 Rear Parking Brake Cable Isolation (Disc Brakes)
  • Disconnect the rear parking brake cable from the rear brake caliper at the affected wheel end(s).
  • While holding the cable conduit, try to move the cable inside the conduit.

Does the cable move freely inside the cable conduit?
Yes The parking brake system operates normally at this time. INSPECT the rear brake components at the affected wheel end(s). INSTALL new rear brake components, if necessary, and ADJUST the parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable Adjustment — 1.6 L EcoBoost (132 kW/180 L PS) — Sigma (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, General Procedures).
No INSTALL new rear parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable — 1.6 L EcoBoost (132 kW/180 L PS) — Sigma (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, Removal and Installation).
A6 DISCONNECT REAR EXTENSION CABLES (DRUM BRAKES)
  • Remove the brake drum at the affected wheel end(s).
    REFER TO: Brake Drum (206-02 Drum Brake, Removal and Installation).
  • Disconnect the rear extension cable from the brake shoe actuating lever at the affected wheel end(s) and inspect the extension cable for binding.

Does the cable move freely?
Yes The parking brake system operates normally at this time. The concern may have been caused by a seized or binding rear brake component. INSPECT the rear brake components. INSTALL new component(s) as necessary. If the rear brake components are in good condition, CLEAN and LUBRICATE the brake backing plate.
REFER TO: Brake Shoes (206-02 Drum Brake, Removal and Installation). ADJUST the parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable Adjustment (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, General Procedures).
No INSTALL new rear extension cables, if necessary, and adjust the parking brake cables.
ADJUST the parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable Adjustment (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, General Procedures).

Parking brake does not release

Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms

When the parking brake release button is pressed and the brake control is released, parking brake cable tension returns the system to the released position.


DIAGNOSTIC PINPOINT TEST B: THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE
B1 CHECK PARKING BRAKE CONTROL
  • Apply and release the parking brake lever.

Does the parking brake lever fully release?
Yes GO to B2
No INSTALL a new parking brake control.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Control (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, Removal and Installation).
B2 FRONT BRAKE CABLE ISOLATION
  • NOTE: The parking brake lever and front cable must be removed as an assembly. Disconnect the front parking brake cable from the rear parking brake cable equalizer.

Do the rear wheels rotate freely?
Yes INSTALL a new front parking brake cable.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Control (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, Removal and Installation).
No For vehicles with drum brakes, GO to B3.
For vehicles with disc brakes, GO to B4.
B3 Rear Parking Brake Cable Isolation (Drum Brakes)
  • Disconnect the rear parking brake cable from the rear extension cable at the affected wheel end.

Do the wheels rotate freely?
Yes INSTALL new rear parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, Removal and Installation).
No GO to B5
B4 Rear Parking Brake Cable Isolation (Disc Brakes)
  • Disconnect the rear parking brake cable from the rear brake caliper at the affected wheel end(s).

Do the wheels rotate freely?
Yes INSTALL new rear parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable — 1.6 L EcoBoost (132 kW/180 L PS) — Sigma (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, Removal and Installation).
No INSPECT the rear brake components at the affected wheel end(s). INSTALL new rear brake components as necessary and ADJUST the parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable Adjustment — 1.6 L EcoBoost (132 kW/180 L PS) — Sigma (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, General Procedures).
B5 Rear Extension Cable Isolation
  • Remove the brake drum at the affected wheel end(s).
    REFER TO: Brake Drum (206-02 Drum Brake, Removal and Installation).
  • Disconnect the rear extension cable from the brake shoe actuating lever at the affected wheel end(s) and inspect the extension cable for binding.

Does the extension cable move freely?
Yes The parking brake system operates normally at this time. The concern may have been caused by a seized or binding rear brake component. INSPECT the rear brake components. INSTALL new component(s) as necessary. If the rear brake components are in good condition, CLEAN and LUBRICATE the brake backing plate.
REFER TO: Brake Shoes (206-02 Drum Brake, Removal and Installation). ADJUST the parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable Adjustment (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, General Procedures).
No INSTALL new rear extension cables, if necessary.
ADJUST the parking brake cables.
REFER TO: Parking Brake Cable Adjustment (206-05 Parking Brake and Actuation, General Procedures).

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