Parking brake release
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
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E250 Diesel
Parking brake release
just picked up a CPO last week. on cold starts, my brake release lever does not release my parking brake. it takes about 3 to 4 tries to get it to release. is there some special way I'm supposed to pull the release?
Thread Starter
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E250 Diesel
and the dealer said...... "normal." But this morning, it took 5 tries and pause for a minute and another try. it seems like I have to wait like a minute for this to work. Isn't it just a cable linkage inside? Nothing too scientific in there, I don't think. I think the dealer can just tighten the cable and be done with it...
in any case, I'm going to take a video of myself trying this several times in the morning and cursing at the same time and show it to the SA.
in any case, I'm going to take a video of myself trying this several times in the morning and cursing at the same time and show it to the SA.
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 112
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From: Italy
E 250cdi 4matic '13
Is the car sleeping outside at night? It happened once to me when I left it for 3 nights at -15 celsius...it took me 4 minutes since I started the engine to disengage the brake. 
Last edited by Phoeny; Jan 25, 2017 at 12:32 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 580
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From: Maryland
2013 E550 4Matic
Dumb question: are you pulling the lever all the way (about 2", or when it won't go back anymore) when releasing the brake? Sometimes I kinda half-pull it and it gets stuck, but pulling all the way releases it.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
http://workshop-manuals.com/mercedes...ce_and_repair/ + next page
http://workshop-manuals.com/mercedes...ce_and_repair/ + next pages
Thread Starter
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E250 Diesel
I yank it hard. Perhaps too hard. I'm afraid that my wife won't be able to do it. On a second thought, can I just leave it in Park without engaging the parking brake? we do park on a hilly driveway.......
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2016
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E250 Diesel
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From: Maryland
2013 E550 4Matic
If the E-brake is a metal cable, then what I said would make sense, but if it's tied into the hydraulic brake system, maybe there's a blockage in the brake line somewhere, and turning on the car normalizes the pressure in such a way to clear the blockage. In that case, you may want to bleed the brakes and replace the fluid. Does the car have to be 'warm' or just 'on' ?
Thread Starter
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E250 Diesel
Only the cold start is causing the issue. For example leaving it over night or not driving for 6 or 7 hours. And I do think it's a metal cable.
I'll explore more at the dealer and report back.
I'll explore more at the dealer and report back.
Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 88
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From: Long Island, NY
2014 Mercedes Benz E350 Sport 4matic
CPO E350 and hilly driveway here so I use the ebrake every day. Car sits overnight, sometimes 2-3 nights with the ebrake on and it is easily disengaged each time. 0 problems from about 10deg F to 60 (that I have owned it). Something is definitely wrong with yours whether the dealer sees it or not.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Barrington IL
2015 E 250, 1999 BMW M Roadster, 1939 International Harvester, 2023 GLC
I seldom use mine on my 2015 but I notice a similar thing not fully releasing when cold. seems like a light spring or some lubrication is gummy. Everyone in the EU used their parking brake. Comes from habit of manual transmissions. for sure this is not a normal situation IMO.
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From: A Dutchy Living in Marseille, France
EQE SUV AMG-line 350+
my car gives the "release break" warning sometimes on cold days,
event though I don't use the break.
takes about 3-5 violent pulls to get it to stop.
event though I don't use the break.
takes about 3-5 violent pulls to get it to stop.
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E250 Diesel
Thanks for all your data points. I'm going to leave it overnight at the dealer so that they can replicate the situation. I also took a video of my pulling the darn thing 5 times. I'll get an answer by early next week.
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From: Down Unda
W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
i dont use the E brake as much. leaving it on P will do the trick but of course that depends on the driver and the situation.
having said that, your brakes can simply be the hottest part in your car especially after driving it hard or if youre a "use the brake instead of easing-off the gas pedal to slow down" kind of driver. now imagine a super hot metal on a very cold temp. its like fusing the 2 surfaces together. now im not saying its normal and i would still insist on the dealer to fix it. its CPO so i wouldnt worry too much. goodluck mate.
having said that, your brakes can simply be the hottest part in your car especially after driving it hard or if youre a "use the brake instead of easing-off the gas pedal to slow down" kind of driver. now imagine a super hot metal on a very cold temp. its like fusing the 2 surfaces together. now im not saying its normal and i would still insist on the dealer to fix it. its CPO so i wouldnt worry too much. goodluck mate.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 11
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From: USA
2014 E350 Sport
B CLIENT STATES PARKING BREAK RELEASE IS DIFFICULT TO RELEASE WHEN COLD
425857 PARKING BRAKE PEDAL WITH MOUNT REMOVE/INSTALL, REPLACE PART(S) IF NECESSARY
28060
PARKING PEDAL IS VERY STICKY AND NOT RELEASING FAR ENOUGH TO HIT PARKING BRAKE SWITCH//
REMOVE PARKING BRAKE ASSY..
D&A ASSY AND CLEAN ALL ANTI CORROSION COATING FROM LOCK DRUM COIL SPRING.. PEDAL ASSY NOW MOVES FREELY//
RE-INSTALL PEDAL ASSY AS NEEDED
Hope this heps
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I had the same issue on my 2014 E350 and I got it fixed from the dealer under manufacturer's warranty. Here is the work they performed as listed on the invoice:
B CLIENT STATES PARKING BREAK RELEASE IS DIFFICULT TO RELEASE WHEN COLD
425857 PARKING BRAKE PEDAL WITH MOUNT REMOVE/INSTALL, REPLACE PART(S) IF NECESSARY
28060
PARKING PEDAL IS VERY STICKY AND NOT RELEASING FAR ENOUGH TO HIT PARKING BRAKE SWITCH//
REMOVE PARKING BRAKE ASSY..
D&A ASSY AND CLEAN ALL ANTI CORROSION COATING FROM LOCK DRUM COIL SPRING.. PEDAL ASSY NOW MOVES FREELY//
RE-INSTALL PEDAL ASSY AS NEEDED
Hope this heps
B CLIENT STATES PARKING BREAK RELEASE IS DIFFICULT TO RELEASE WHEN COLD
425857 PARKING BRAKE PEDAL WITH MOUNT REMOVE/INSTALL, REPLACE PART(S) IF NECESSARY
28060
PARKING PEDAL IS VERY STICKY AND NOT RELEASING FAR ENOUGH TO HIT PARKING BRAKE SWITCH//
REMOVE PARKING BRAKE ASSY..
D&A ASSY AND CLEAN ALL ANTI CORROSION COATING FROM LOCK DRUM COIL SPRING.. PEDAL ASSY NOW MOVES FREELY//
RE-INSTALL PEDAL ASSY AS NEEDED
Hope this heps
Same thing was done to my C350 two weeks ago after having the same symptoms as described here on this thread. It is 98% better, but I get the sense it is only a matter of time before it happens again.
Thread Starter
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E250 Diesel
Thank for all your feedback. You people are great.
p.s. I actually prefer the foot actuated parking break over the 2017 model e-brake where there is only small button. I keep imagining myself going down a hilly road where my regular brakes fail and having to stab on the emergency brakes. not sure those small buttons on the 2017 model will do the trick....
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From: at the mercedes dealer next to you
2020 GLE350 2020 Toyota Rav4H AWD XLE
and the dealer said...... "normal." But this morning, it took 5 tries and pause for a minute and another try. it seems like I have to wait like a minute for this to work. Isn't it just a cable linkage inside? Nothing too scientific in there, I don't think. I think the dealer can just tighten the cable and be done with it...
in any case, I'm going to take a video of myself trying this several times in the morning and cursing at the same time and show it to the SA.
in any case, I'm going to take a video of myself trying this several times in the morning and cursing at the same time and show it to the SA.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 343
Likes: 43
E250 Diesel
I just wanted to report back to the thread that the issue seems to be solved. They replaced the mechanism and it's much tighter. I don't even have to yank it hard anymore. I guess these things get loose over time.
They should have just used a foot release like other cheaper cars instead of making a number of complicated pulleys and levers to string the wire all the way up to the dash. Oh well, I think this is the engineers' way rather than a pedestrian's way.
They should have just used a foot release like other cheaper cars instead of making a number of complicated pulleys and levers to string the wire all the way up to the dash. Oh well, I think this is the engineers' way rather than a pedestrian's way.
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 245
Likes: 105
2014 E350
Yeah, my 2014 was doing the same thing, so when I brought it in for its A service, I mentioned it to the SA: he said "normal." I said, no! Got the car back and it's maybe 10% better, ugh. I'm going back on whatever my next warranty need is and insisting more firmly they address it. Thanks for the headsup, maxshop!
Edward
Edward
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
I just wanted to report back to the thread that the issue seems to be solved. They replaced the mechanism and it's much tighter. I don't even have to yank it hard anymore. I guess these things get loose over time.
They should have just used a foot release like other cheaper cars instead of making a number of complicated pulleys and levers to string the wire all the way up to the dash. Oh well, I think this is the engineers' way rather than a pedestrian's way.
They should have just used a foot release like other cheaper cars instead of making a number of complicated pulleys and levers to string the wire all the way up to the dash. Oh well, I think this is the engineers' way rather than a pedestrian's way.
