1987 XJ-S V12. I've had it 5 years now, and the parking brake still doesn't work (it didn't when I bought it, which I was aware of). I live in the flatlands of the midwest US.

I'm contemplating removing it...well, the brake handle, not the brake. Given the age of the car, I don't anticipate that it's going to be parked on a steep slope anytime soon. And, more importantly, the handle tends to snag my right pant leg as I "rotate" to get my feet out of the car, which is annoying.

I suppose my mind is close to made-up, but I like to get a reality check by posting here and seeing if I'm missing something. I intend to keep it until either it or I rust away, so I'm not worried about its resale value.

Of course option "B" would be to just shorten the handle to remove the snagging issue, but since I'd have to take the handle out to do that I'm not sure it makes sense.

Thanks,

John

 

John,

I would remove that handle.

All mine did not work, and when the rear cradle was out for oil leaks, haha, I refurbished the calipers, but, like you, never use the damn thing on any of them, and even on a RHD car, that thing is in the bloody way.

The "P" works just fine.

Even the newer cars in the fleet (the dark side as some say) have working P brakes, that I NEVER use.

No inspections here to check that thing anyway.

 

I sort of agree, a non-working parking brake is pointless, and even a working one on the inboard axle can be either very feeble or if used in anger, the pads tear off.
The alternative is to do the attached, which I did, and now I have a top notch handbrake.

 

Agreed,

Handbrake never needed, I just put her in Park but in the UK it has to work to pass the MOT

 

If working and adjusted properly the parking brake can grip fiercely. It'll never be much of an emergency brake, no matter how you slice it.

Personally I use the parking brake all the time on all my cars.

Cheers
DD

 

Me too.

 

Thanks guys for the comments, and especially to Doug. Once I saw his documentation on what it might take to make the thing work, that pretty much sealed the deal, the handle is coming out.

John

 

 

I have the opposite problem, where as soon as I start the car the parking brakes are on indicating the ebrake or brake is being pushed. I'd like to remove it too but I need it to pass safety for me to put it back on the road. Is it just the adjustment at the handbrake or is it the sensor on the back of the brake pedal? it doesn't feel like its grabbing but I just put new brakes on it.

 

Are you sure that you are operating it correctly?
Up and then down for 'on'.
Up, push button and down for 'off'.

 

Do you mean the parking brake warning light is on? If so, and the parking brake is off, then it is most likely to be the adjustment of the microswitch on the mechanism itself; accessed by removing the cover over the brake lever fulcrum. There are no sensors AFAIK.

 

Yes the warning light is on in the dash and the brake lights are on the tail lights. The parking brake lever has been button pushed down so its disengaged. There is a sensor according to my book just behind the brake pedal if you look underneath. Apparently you adjust it so as soon as the pedal is pushed the lever activates and I'm assuming puts on the brake light?

 

I think that is a switch, not a sensor. If the pedal is retracting properly, back to its proper upward stop and the brake lights are on, then it might be the switch is badly adjusted. Do you have any idea why this has suddenly happened? Anyway, why not take a look and see if the switch can be adjusted so that it switches on when the pedal is pressed?
Next question: Which warning light is on in the dash? There is a low fluid warning light, an ABS warning light (if you have that system) and a parking brake warning light.