QuestionQUESTION: My parking brake does not release automatically and my heater and air condition fans do not blow air. Before I replaced a small (about 10 inch) vacuum hose and everything
was OK - but after a guy 'drained' my air condition and refilled it with freon - the same problem returns. I had him check hoses - all seemed OK under the hood where he was
working - still does not work. (The first can of freon he wasted because it would not go in - then he disconnected the
batter ground, replaced it - the trouble light went out - then the second can of freon went in ok...One person thinks
the problem is 'somewhere' under the 'dash' ? Can you please help me ? Is there a schematic showing where all the
vacuum hoses go ? Thank you kindly, Toney Urban
ANSWER: Toney,
I need to know the model and year of your car to get REAL specific but a generalized answer may suffice.
If you are saying that the fan is working but no air is coming out the vents, and at the same time, the E-brake release is not working, and this all started after having someone work on the car, I'm going to tell you that:
1. The issue is most likely being caused by a lack of vacuum getting to the interior of the car.
2. Re-check the area that you repaired previously.
3. Check the vacuum line where it goes through the firewall, and trace it to the source. There's most likely a break, or a loose hose etc.
4. I'd pressure the mechanic that worked on the car to at least help you solve the issue since it's quite possible that he caused the problem.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The car is an 88 Eldorado. And I have checked 'several' places under the hood and all the vacuum hoses are OK (They
have a vacuum on 3 places I checked) It would sure be nice
if I knew where to look for the hoses under the 'dash' !
Can you help me on this ? Again, Thank you kindly, Toney Urban
AnswerToney,
I would assume that if you know what line to check, you'd know where it penetrates the firewall. Just look on the opposite side (the inside) and pickup the hose there. It's pretty close to the base of the steering column as I recall. Also, make sure there's a good, strong vacuum on the line. A cracked vacuum reservoir or other similar leak can make it so you have a weak vacuum on the line. This can fool you into thinking there's no problem with the vacuum but, a weak vacuum can have the same effect as no vacuum at times. Not enough to power the diaphragms that it's supposed to.
