Q: The parking brake is locked up and the car will not move.

asked by on November 20, 2016

i can release the parking brake and put the car in gear but it only moves a tiny little bit before the wheels squeals. i can rock the car back and forth like it's stuck in the snow but it will not move. when i push the emergency brake pedal, the dummy light comes on and at the last inch or so there is a popping noise. maybe the cable is broken? the dummy light goes out when the pedal is released. the back tires just don't want to move. ?????????

My car has 75000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Parking / Emergency Brake does not work Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. The light that come on the dash when the parking brake pedal is applied and then shuts off when the parking brake pedal is released is a normal condition. The parking brake cable could be broken for the brakes are still stuck. Check the brake cable and see if its tight or loose. If the cable is loose, then check the brakes on the rear of the vehicle and see if they are lock on. Replace the parts that are stuck, usually a drum brake return spring or an integrated caliper that is frozen, depending if your vehicle has disk / drum or disk / disk brake system setup. If you need further assistance with your stuck parking brake, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I turn shuffle on?
Shuffle provides variety when you are listening to music off of a CD or MP3 player. Shuffle plays songs off your device in a random order. To turn shuffle on. Press the Menu button until you see "Shuffle On/Off." Use...
Car making noise like something is loose.
I would have a technician inspect the car for the noise (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-making-a-noise-inspection). If something is loose it could be dangerous to drive.
Car shaking when accelerating
If you had a mechanic replace the CV axle, I would suggest getting the mechanic to recheck the work so that we can rule that out. Mechanics are human and make mistakes too! We sometimes forget to tighten a nut...
Tail gate won't release
Hey there. The rods connect to the center control handle using plastic clips and these clips or the handle breaks. You will need to have a mechanic remove the inner tailgate cover to gain access to the latch handle and...
Fluid leak red and brown under the car, and once in a great while the engine will overheat.
Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. The leaks will not cause any damage to the vehicle it self, however, the part that it's leaking from will eventually begin to loose lubrication and come apart. The transmission oil leak will...
Stalling and grinding
The grinding noise may be a number of things, but is often times associated with the a starter that is beginning to fail. When this happens, sometimes the starter gear that engages the flywheel remains engaged too long resulting in...
Car not accelerating check engine light on
Hi Jesse. Thanks for contacting us today in regards to the issue with your Honda Accord. When a car will start but stall, it can be caused by a few different items, including an ignition system sensor (like crankshaft or...
My Cadillac Escalade just got returned to me from the shop, because it wouldn’t start. They said they replaced the computer, but n
This sounds like you have electrical connection issues with the dash or body control module. These vehicles are known to have electrical connection corrosion buildup that caused these erratic electrical problems including no starts and running issues. This problem will...
should i use full synthetic oil
You should use the oil as recommended in the owner's manual. If the owner's manual recommends full synthetic, then that is the way to go. But In my experience, I haven't seen any benefit in terms of longer engine life...

Related articles

4 Essential Things to Know About Your Car’s Parking Brake
The parking brake is also called the emergency brake, or hand brake, and is used to keep the vehicle in place. The...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Rock Climber
If If you’re a rock climber, you want a vehicle that gets you where you need to go, even if the terrain gets rough. You may be living out of your vehicle at times, so you also want a rig...
Understanding the Chrysler Oil Change Indicator and Service Indicator Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Chrysler Oil Change Indicator lets you know when and what service your car needs.