patrick39

I have a 05 Pathy SE and I have some questions about the parking brake:

1. I have to press the parking brake all the way to the floor to release it, is that normal?

2. In the manual under the Checking the Parking Brake, it said "Press the parking brake from the released position and 3-4 clicks is within the spec......" Can someone please explain more specific on this?

Thanks,

Patrick

 

Animal

When you step on the parking brake, it ratchets (a.k.a. "clicks"). The peddle should only go 3-4 clicks before it stops with moderate presure. You should not be able to get it to the floor. This is an indication that a cable is stretched or broken and needs to be adjusted or replaced, or the rear brakes are out of adjustment or need replacing.
Your original problem of not being able to release it is probably a bind in the rattcheting mechanism (under the dash, I believe). Probably just needs some grease.

patrick39

Well I just got the car last saturday, so I didn't know if it is designed like that or my car has this particular problem. That's why I am asking you guys whether you have to press the parking brake all the way down to the floor to release it. I will probably go to the dealer this afternoon and then I will post again later tonight.

Thanks!

patrick39

I just came back from the dealer and the parking brake is not working properly. Well, I sneaked into the dealer to test the floor model of the Pathy and its parking brake was totally different. I just had to push a bit and then it released. So, I called my salesman to come over and let him try the brake on the demo and then took him outside to try mine. He admitted it is a problem and he booked an appointment for me and it will be next Monday.

I am disappointed because it is a brand new car and I just took delivery last Saturday and now with only 250 km on the odometer and I guess they never did the PDI and it is a rip off!!!

So, BUYERS BEWARE!!! When you are taking delievry of a new vehicle, make sure you test the parking brake! I thought it is only simple mechanism and shouldn't have any problem but I am wrong!

Animal

I understand your anger. You paid the dealer to check things out, and apparently either an item was missed or the service was not performed at all. So what did you pay for?
The problem is likely a minor one, as the parking brake is a fairly simple mechanism. Knowing now that this is a new vehicle, my guess would be that the cable is not attached or not adjusted. The cable may even have damaged during transport. In any case, you should not have known about this if the dealership did their job.

It would seem that service in Canada is as bad as it is in the US.

 

patrick39

I went to the dealer this morning and wait for half hour to have the car fixed. When it was done, the service advisor said the technican made some adjustments to the parking brake and it should be okay now. Then I went out to pick up my car and tried the parking brake and it was still the same but a lot tighter. I asked the salesman to try it and he felt the same. So, he paged the service technican and he tested it and said a new part (foot brake pedal) is needed. Now, I am waiting for the part and the service advisor will schedule an appointment once the part has arrived.

Animal

I'd keep the car and replace the dealer.

Pengy

sounds like a scam to squeeze every cent out of you!!! wouldn't this be under some type of warranty or something?

patrick39

Well today is Wednesday and I still haven't received any call from the dealer.... so usually how long does it take the dealer to get the parts? (in this case, the tech said he will replace the foot pedal of the parking brake)

jkmonge

Sounds like you have a good salesman by your side and he was instrumental in getting the technician to finally deal with your problem. Unless you are persistent with them, they seem to do as little as possible, especially when it's under warranty.

 

Animal

This discussion has convinced me to continue my practice of never buying a new car - did it once 30 years ago, had it serviced once and refused to let the dealership mess up my car again. I said then, "never again" and have not had a car payment since either.

I know what they say about buying someone elses problems, but I say why pay extra for your own problems?

I don't let anyone else work on my vehicles either, except for tires and alignments 'cause I don't have the equipment. I tried a few mechanics and spent more time troubleshooting what they broke than I would have fixing the original problem.

It's a shame service has become a 4 letter word.

To those who have a mechanic you trust, I'd suggest you do everything you can to keep them. I will also add that if you are going to the shop more than 1 or 2 times a year for more than preventive maintenance, you may want to re-evaluate your opinion of them.

One more item: If you do buy a new car and are considering extended "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, take a magnifying glass and read the fine print. My daughter's boyfriend did that and was given a new contract when he objected to a clause that gave the dealer an out - he signed the 3rd one which didn't cost anymore than the others.

patrick39

I called in today and they said the part is back order..... so I guess I will just wait then.

I also never buy extended warranty because there are many commons parts not included and sometimes the extended warranty is covered by third party and not the dealer, so beware of that! (I saw that on the news.)

patrick39

The part is finally here and I will bring in my Pathy next week...... but now I have another problem: it seems the parking brake has cured itself since Friday..... I have set and released the parking brake many times and now the problem is gone and it acts like normal (just depress a little and the thing released).

So what do you guys think?

Animal

Sounds like the rear brake shoes have finally adjusted. But surely the dealer's service department checked them before.

patrick39

well, I brought the truck back to dealer this morning and they checked it and said it is fine...... I also have the same feeling since it was working properly last Friday.... maybe it adjusts back to normal, now my Pathy is finally over the "break-in" period!!!