2004 LS V8 - "Service Parking Brake" message and parking brake stuck in "on" position

[lsintoronto]

Finally fixed my parking brake issue with a new caliper. No more sticking.

Do you mean a reman/rebuilt caliper? Ford has discontinued these.

 

[LS4me]

Do you mean a reman/rebuilt caliper? Ford has discontinued these.

Yes. I got mine at O'Rilley's.

 

[M4rk]

Do you mean a reman/rebuilt caliper? Ford has discontinued these.

Yep, got one Centric branded off RockAuto. All in, after core return cost was ~$100.

 

[lsintoronto]

Cool - I may try to find a used parking brake module and if that doesn't work then look at the caliper.

 

[lsintoronto]

Anyone know if there is a way to test whether the EPB module is working (off the car)?

 

[lsintoronto]

Finally got a used parking brake module (eBay) and installed it yesterday but the parking brake still doesn't work. It doesn't appear to be engaged or dragging though so the car is driveable. When the battery is first reconnected you can hear a motor/actuator engaging at the rear then the service/warning light and message comes on.

Do the actuators fail on these cars or is it more likely a caliper issue?

 

[joegr]

... you can hear a motor/actuator engaging at the rear then the service/warning light and message comes on.

Do the actuators fail on these cars or is it more likely a caliper issue?

I'd check for option "C", since that recently happened to me. Take a look and make sure that neither of the two parking brake cables broke.

http://deneau.info/ls/s6x~us~en~file=s6x65004.htm~gen~ref.htm

 

[lsintoronto]

I'd check for option "C", since that recently happened to me. Take a look and make sure that neither of the two parking brake cables broke.

http://deneau.info/ls/s6x~us~en~file=s6x65004.htm~gen~ref.htm

Thanks - your actuator failed or seized? I know the cables are attached at both calipers but I didn't get right under the car to check the other end at the actuator.

 

[joegr]

Thanks - your actuator failed or seized? I know the cables are attached at both calipers but I didn't get right under the car to check the other end at the actuator.

My actuator was and is just fine. The left parking brake cable broke on my 04. I replaced the cable with a cable from an 03 in a junkyard, and so far so good. The cables attach to an "equalizer" that is above the left rear axle. A short cable runs from the actuator to the equalizer.

 

[lsintoronto]

My actuator was and is just fine. The left parking brake cable broke on my 04. I replaced the cable with a cable from an 03 in a junkyard, and so far so good. The cables attach to an "equalizer" that is above the left rear axle. A short cable runs from the actuator to the equalizer.

OK thanks - I'll get under the car this weekend and take a look at the actuator/equalizer and cables.

 

[lsintoronto]

OK so had a buddy with a shop get the car on the hoist yesterday and the parking brake arm/lever on the caliper (rear passenger) is seized and the cable end (plastic?) is cracked. I'm going to replace both rear calipers and the cables.

Going to buy reman calipers with hardware/brackets. Rock Auto has several different reman caiper options including "Motorcraft" remans (also Centric, A-1 Cardone, Raybestos, Wagner, etc). Plus I saw O'Reilly posted previously. Are any better than others?

Also, any recommendations for where to get good cables?

 

[galvorn]

I believe joegr got some for his 04 from a yard.

 

[joegr]

I believe joegr got some for his 04 from a yard.

Yes, that was the only way I could find to get them.

 

[lsintoronto]

Thanks - I'll start searching that route.

Anyone have experience with aftermarket versions (I see Rock Auto and eBay have Raybestos, Wagner, and Dorman cables listed but the Raybestos and Dorman are slightly different lengths - out by 3/4 inch). Not sure how long the stock/OEM cable is.

 

[lsintoronto]

Replaced the passenger rear caliper which it turned out had a seized parking brake (cable) lever, and also installed a pair of parking brake cables in better condition than mine (eBay purchase) - all is good now after resetting the parking brake (message is gone and system works as it's supposed to). The second caliper I got from Rock Auto (for the driver rear) had the wrong part in the box so have to send that back and get another and complete the rear swap.

Thanks for the assistance!