Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
the list who can help me make it through the night! After work tonight
I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the button on the
parking brake was missing when I went to release it. It had been there
when I got to work. I found the button and a spring on the floor, tried
to get them back into their proper homes...no luck. I was able to
manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and release the parking
brake and made it home. My driveway is on an incline and out of habit
I pulled on the parking brake after I shifted into park. Now I can't
get it to release. The handle seems to have gone back into off
position but the brake light is still on. I was able to back down the
driveway and pull back up and it didn't feel like the brake was
dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a good amount of hands on
(and successful I might add) experience in working on cars. Given the
current state of my budget I'd like to try to handle this on my own.
Thanks in advance!
Angie

Re: Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

Angie wrote:
> Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
> my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
> east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
> the list who can help me make it through the night! After work
> tonight I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the
> button on the parking brake was missing when I went to release it.
> It had been there when I got to work. I found the button and a spring
> on the floor, tried to get them back into their proper homes...no
> luck. I was able to manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and
> release the parking brake and made it home. My driveway is on an
> incline and out of habit I pulled on the parking brake after I
> shifted into park. Now I can't get it to release. The handle seems
> to have gone back into off position but the brake light is still on.
> I was able to back down the driveway and pull back up and it didn't
> feel like the brake was dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a
> good amount of hands on (and successful I might add) experience in
> working on cars. Given the current state of my budget I'd like to
> try to handle this on my own. Thanks in advance!
> Angie

If you look under the jeep there is a steel cable that runs back to
a Y just before the rear axle. That's the emergency/parking brake
line. If it's slack your fine.

Sometimes a fat pen can be used to press the mechanisim down or
removing the center console for a while till it's fixed will let
you get at the pawl. (on my ZJ all you have to do is take the
bucket out of the center console to get at the mechanisim. Not sure
for an XJ.

--
DougW

Re: Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

Angie wrote:
> Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
> my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
> east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
> the list who can help me make it through the night! After work
> tonight I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the
> button on the parking brake was missing when I went to release it.
> It had been there when I got to work. I found the button and a spring
> on the floor, tried to get them back into their proper homes...no
> luck. I was able to manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and
> release the parking brake and made it home. My driveway is on an
> incline and out of habit I pulled on the parking brake after I
> shifted into park. Now I can't get it to release. The handle seems
> to have gone back into off position but the brake light is still on.
> I was able to back down the driveway and pull back up and it didn't
> feel like the brake was dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a
> good amount of hands on (and successful I might add) experience in
> working on cars. Given the current state of my budget I'd like to
> try to handle this on my own. Thanks in advance!
> Angie

If you look under the jeep there is a steel cable that runs back to
a Y just before the rear axle. That's the emergency/parking brake
line. If it's slack your fine.

Sometimes a fat pen can be used to press the mechanisim down or
removing the center console for a while till it's fixed will let
you get at the pawl. (on my ZJ all you have to do is take the
bucket out of the center console to get at the mechanisim. Not sure
for an XJ.

--
DougW

Re: Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

Angie wrote:
> Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
> my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
> east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
> the list who can help me make it through the night! After work
> tonight I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the
> button on the parking brake was missing when I went to release it.
> It had been there when I got to work. I found the button and a spring
> on the floor, tried to get them back into their proper homes...no
> luck. I was able to manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and
> release the parking brake and made it home. My driveway is on an
> incline and out of habit I pulled on the parking brake after I
> shifted into park. Now I can't get it to release. The handle seems
> to have gone back into off position but the brake light is still on.
> I was able to back down the driveway and pull back up and it didn't
> feel like the brake was dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a
> good amount of hands on (and successful I might add) experience in
> working on cars. Given the current state of my budget I'd like to
> try to handle this on my own. Thanks in advance!
> Angie

If you look under the jeep there is a steel cable that runs back to
a Y just before the rear axle. That's the emergency/parking brake
line. If it's slack your fine.

Sometimes a fat pen can be used to press the mechanisim down or
removing the center console for a while till it's fixed will let
you get at the pawl. (on my ZJ all you have to do is take the
bucket out of the center console to get at the mechanisim. Not sure
for an XJ.

--
DougW

Re: Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

Angie wrote:
> Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
> my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
> east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
> the list who can help me make it through the night! After work
> tonight I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the
> button on the parking brake was missing when I went to release it.
> It had been there when I got to work. I found the button and a spring
> on the floor, tried to get them back into their proper homes...no
> luck. I was able to manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and
> release the parking brake and made it home. My driveway is on an
> incline and out of habit I pulled on the parking brake after I
> shifted into park. Now I can't get it to release. The handle seems
> to have gone back into off position but the brake light is still on.
> I was able to back down the driveway and pull back up and it didn't
> feel like the brake was dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a
> good amount of hands on (and successful I might add) experience in
> working on cars. Given the current state of my budget I'd like to
> try to handle this on my own. Thanks in advance!
> Angie

If you look under the jeep there is a steel cable that runs back to
a Y just before the rear axle. That's the emergency/parking brake
line. If it's slack your fine.

Sometimes a fat pen can be used to press the mechanisim down or
removing the center console for a while till it's fixed will let
you get at the pawl. (on my ZJ all you have to do is take the
bucket out of the center console to get at the mechanisim. Not sure
for an XJ.

--
DougW

Re: Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

Thank you! On my way out to look at it now!
DougW wrote:
> Angie wrote:
> > Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
> > my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
> > east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
> > the list who can help me make it through the night! After work
> > tonight I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the
> > button on the parking brake was missing when I went to release it.
> > It had been there when I got to work. I found the button and a spring
> > on the floor, tried to get them back into their proper homes...no
> > luck. I was able to manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and
> > release the parking brake and made it home. My driveway is on an
> > incline and out of habit I pulled on the parking brake after I
> > shifted into park. Now I can't get it to release. The handle seems
> > to have gone back into off position but the brake light is still on.
> > I was able to back down the driveway and pull back up and it didn't
> > feel like the brake was dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a
> > good amount of hands on (and successful I might add) experience in
> > working on cars. Given the current state of my budget I'd like to
> > try to handle this on my own. Thanks in advance!
> > Angie
>
> If you look under the jeep there is a steel cable that runs back to
> a Y just before the rear axle. That's the emergency/parking brake
> line. If it's slack your fine.
>
> Sometimes a fat pen can be used to press the mechanisim down or
> removing the center console for a while till it's fixed will let
> you get at the pawl. (on my ZJ all you have to do is take the
> bucket out of the center console to get at the mechanisim. Not sure
> for an XJ.
>
> --
> DougW

Re: Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

Thank you! On my way out to look at it now!
DougW wrote:
> Angie wrote:
> > Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
> > my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
> > east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
> > the list who can help me make it through the night! After work
> > tonight I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the
> > button on the parking brake was missing when I went to release it.
> > It had been there when I got to work. I found the button and a spring
> > on the floor, tried to get them back into their proper homes...no
> > luck. I was able to manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and
> > release the parking brake and made it home. My driveway is on an
> > incline and out of habit I pulled on the parking brake after I
> > shifted into park. Now I can't get it to release. The handle seems
> > to have gone back into off position but the brake light is still on.
> > I was able to back down the driveway and pull back up and it didn't
> > feel like the brake was dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a
> > good amount of hands on (and successful I might add) experience in
> > working on cars. Given the current state of my budget I'd like to
> > try to handle this on my own. Thanks in advance!
> > Angie
>
> If you look under the jeep there is a steel cable that runs back to
> a Y just before the rear axle. That's the emergency/parking brake
> line. If it's slack your fine.
>
> Sometimes a fat pen can be used to press the mechanisim down or
> removing the center console for a while till it's fixed will let
> you get at the pawl. (on my ZJ all you have to do is take the
> bucket out of the center console to get at the mechanisim. Not sure
> for an XJ.
>
> --
> DougW

Re: Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

Thank you! On my way out to look at it now!
DougW wrote:
> Angie wrote:
> > Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
> > my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
> > east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
> > the list who can help me make it through the night! After work
> > tonight I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the
> > button on the parking brake was missing when I went to release it.
> > It had been there when I got to work. I found the button and a spring
> > on the floor, tried to get them back into their proper homes...no
> > luck. I was able to manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and
> > release the parking brake and made it home. My driveway is on an
> > incline and out of habit I pulled on the parking brake after I
> > shifted into park. Now I can't get it to release. The handle seems
> > to have gone back into off position but the brake light is still on.
> > I was able to back down the driveway and pull back up and it didn't
> > feel like the brake was dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a
> > good amount of hands on (and successful I might add) experience in
> > working on cars. Given the current state of my budget I'd like to
> > try to handle this on my own. Thanks in advance!
> > Angie
>
> If you look under the jeep there is a steel cable that runs back to
> a Y just before the rear axle. That's the emergency/parking brake
> line. If it's slack your fine.
>
> Sometimes a fat pen can be used to press the mechanisim down or
> removing the center console for a while till it's fixed will let
> you get at the pawl. (on my ZJ all you have to do is take the
> bucket out of the center console to get at the mechanisim. Not sure
> for an XJ.
>
> --
> DougW

Re: Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

Thank you! On my way out to look at it now!
DougW wrote:
> Angie wrote:
> > Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
> > my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
> > east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
> > the list who can help me make it through the night! After work
> > tonight I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the
> > button on the parking brake was missing when I went to release it.
> > It had been there when I got to work. I found the button and a spring
> > on the floor, tried to get them back into their proper homes...no
> > luck. I was able to manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and
> > release the parking brake and made it home. My driveway is on an
> > incline and out of habit I pulled on the parking brake after I
> > shifted into park. Now I can't get it to release. The handle seems
> > to have gone back into off position but the brake light is still on.
> > I was able to back down the driveway and pull back up and it didn't
> > feel like the brake was dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a
> > good amount of hands on (and successful I might add) experience in
> > working on cars. Given the current state of my budget I'd like to
> > try to handle this on my own. Thanks in advance!
> > Angie
>
> If you look under the jeep there is a steel cable that runs back to
> a Y just before the rear axle. That's the emergency/parking brake
> line. If it's slack your fine.
>
> Sometimes a fat pen can be used to press the mechanisim down or
> removing the center console for a while till it's fixed will let
> you get at the pawl. (on my ZJ all you have to do is take the
> bucket out of the center console to get at the mechanisim. Not sure
> for an XJ.
>
> --
> DougW

Re: Button popped off of my parking brake handle...now it won't release
 

What if it is taught?
DougW wrote:
> Angie wrote:
> > Ok, it's 10:30 here on the Pacific coast and I can't talk to either of
> > my local automotive mechanic friends or my motorhead brother on the
> > east coast due to the late hour. Hopefully there will be somebody on
> > the list who can help me make it through the night! After work
> > tonight I got into my '93 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2wd and noticed the
> > button on the parking brake was missing when I went to release it.
> > It had been there when I got to work. I found the button and a spring
> > on the floor, tried to get them back into their proper homes...no
> > luck. I was able to manipulate the rod/cable inside the handle and
> > release the parking brake and made it home. My driveway is on an
> > incline and out of habit I pulled on the parking brake after I
> > shifted into park. Now I can't get it to release. The handle seems
> > to have gone back into off position but the brake light is still on.
> > I was able to back down the driveway and pull back up and it didn't
> > feel like the brake was dragging. Any suggestions/ideas? I have a
> > good amount of hands on (and successful I might add) experience in
> > working on cars. Given the current state of my budget I'd like to
> > try to handle this on my own. Thanks in advance!
> > Angie
>
> If you look under the jeep there is a steel cable that runs back to
> a Y just before the rear axle. That's the emergency/parking brake
> line. If it's slack your fine.
>
> Sometimes a fat pen can be used to press the mechanisim down or
> removing the center console for a while till it's fixed will let
> you get at the pawl. (on my ZJ all you have to do is take the
> bucket out of the center console to get at the mechanisim. Not sure
> for an XJ.
>
> --
> DougW