When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
My parking brake has been putting itself on. I never use the parking brake, but a couple of times recently when I start the car the brake is on and the car won't move. I check the brake and the handle is in the down position.If I try to put the parking brake on and off repeatedly it will eventually release the car. Does this sound familiar to any one. I have had the car for five years and have never had this before. If I can't find the problem I may just pull the fuse for the parking and hope it doesn't turn something else off. Any Ideas on this problem? Maybe I have a ghost in the car.
The park brake may not be your issue, but the caliper itself. You need to verify which caliper it is, as the park brake is mechanical, so unless you pull it it's not engaging.
I just assumed it was electrically controlled like my Audi, which has a small electric motor that forces the disc pads against the rotor in the park position.
So the problem may not be the parking brake at all; interesting idea. If that is the case, and it stalls the front drive wheels, the problem my be in the front caliper(s). If the locking brake was in the back wheels, wouldn't the front wheels just spin if it were on gravel, which it was the last time it happened? Boy, the plot thickens. Maybe the anti-lock system is the problem, and I thought maybe I could just pull a fuse.
Thanks for making me think in a different direction.
It's not an ABS issue, though I've never seen a front caliper on these cars seize I wouldn't say it's not possible.
The rear brake dragging is enough to lug the engine as your stating.
If you engage the clutch and try to take off, does the rear of the car dip down? If so it is a sticking rear caliper, you'll have to find out which one it is at that point.
It can be the e brake cables frozen and rusted or the slider pins stuck on the rear brake pad ( these ones have a closed boot on them). . Or the caliper piston itself if its higher mileage.
One test is to drive it on gravel and see it it drags the rear brakes. Front wheels will move easy and the rear will grab and power slide on and off really quick.
