What causes the e-brake pedal to spring back? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bgkast · #1 10-08-2008, 11:09 PM

I am having trouble with the brake light staying lit after the emergency brake is released on my '82 300SD. I can get the light to shut off by pulling up on the pedal with my foot. I just adjusted the brake shoes with no change in the light operation. I also just pulled out the switch and confirmed that everything was correct with it. For some reason in this car the pedal just "limply" pops up, rather than springing up with authority like my other Mercedes.

Jeremy5848 · #2 10-08-2008, 11:13 PM

My '87 does the same thing, must be a weak spring somewhere underneath.

Stevo · #3 10-09-2008, 01:21 AM

I had that problem and what caused it on mine was, the "knob" on the cabin end of the cable was outside of its normal position. It was rubbing and getting "pinched" (causing the brake pedal to return very sluggishly). There was to much slack in the cable. Check up under there where the cable attaches and make sure the cable end is properly captured. I had to adjust the slack out under the car.

cdplayer · #4 10-09-2008, 01:25 AM

There's four of these. One or more may have broken,worn or missing???

curtludwig · #5 10-09-2008, 09:40 AM

Theres a lever arrangement under the car which has the return spring for the whole parking brake arrangement. I find it odd that the pivot is out there in the open where water and snow and salt and whatnot can get on it. My 240D won't return the parking brake lever beyond halfway right now because something is stuck. I know its not the rear parking brake cables as I've been under there and wiggled 'em around. I need to shoot some PB Blaster at the pivot and work it back and forth with a hammer.

I've been burned by sticky parking brakes 3 times this year (once on each vehicle I own) so I'm not taking chances anymore. Every Saturday I go to each car and put the parking brake on and off 3 times. The problem for us is we just don't use the blasted things...

JimmyL · #6 10-09-2008, 09:48 AM

I'm assuming there is some kind of switch that "locates" when the pedal reaches home position. My e-brake light wouldn't go out on the Smash and they wouldn't inspect it. {gee, bulb found it's way into my pocket}

I still need to look for that switch. My e-brakes do not bind.
If your's aren't binding and your pedal comes almost all the way back, maybe just a switch adjustment. If your pedal still has some travel left then a return spring sounds likely.

bgkast · #7 10-09-2008, 11:12 AM

I pulled the switch and it is not adjustable. It is just one of the "pin" switches like the ones that are used in the door jams. I made a shim to put between the switch and the body to get it to extend out a bit more, but it did not work.

bustedbenz · #8 10-09-2008, 11:59 AM

My brake doesn't drag at all, but I have the same problem with the drooping foot pedal. That's why I just never set the parking brake, if I sprain my foot against the back side of the pedal I can get it to retract just far enough to turn the light off, then it usually stays put for a few weeks at a time if I don't press the pedal down again.

I can't remember ever actually using one of the things except with a straight drive I had for a few days that I had borrowed from somebody.

ggspeed · #9 12-09-2008, 02:06 PM

where is the adjustment for the e brake pedal, mine doesn't like to stay in the upright position to keep the brake light off