Brakes locking up while driving

JIM GENTLEMAN

MEMBER
2014 CHEVROLET SPARK
1.2L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
89,000 MILES

In the car listed above (NonEV) the brakes seem to start applying themselves until the car no longer will move. Then they will release at a later time. The last instance was coming over an overpass and on the downhill side the brakes started dragging. The car was parked at a business on the bottom of the overpass. After about 30 minutes approximately, you could hear an audible click like a solenoid and the brakes released. The car was taken to the Chevrolet dealer for diagnostics and they cannot find anything wrong. No error codes or problems of any kind they say. This is the third time this has happened the first time about 4 weeks ago. The second time about a week ago and the last time on two days ago. Anyone experience this or have any ideas?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

Did the click happen on the inside of the vehicle? Was it under the dash on the driver's side? I'm asking because it is possible that the brake light switch is sticking and causing the brake pedal to not full release. What can happen as a result is the brakes are slightly applied. Over time, they heat up which causes the brake fluid to expand until the brakes are locked.

Okay, that is a theory at this point because this isn't a common issue. However, if it happens again, I need you to walk around the vehicle and see if there is excessive heat coming from the wheels and which ones seem overheated.

I have to be honest. There isn't a solenoid that applies the brakes. It is a hydraulic system. Something is likely dragging at times and causing one or move of the brakes to overheat. That's why I suggested checking for heat.

I don't know how comfortable you feel with working on the vehicle, but I am going to attach a few pics below that show the diagnostics related to brake drag. Note that it indicates the brake light switch among other things.

Take a look through this information and let me know what questions you have. I can't be sure, but I suspect the brake light switch is causing your problems. The sound you hear may be it unsticking. Let me know if when this has happened, if it was after driving a few miles.

Take care and let me know.

Joe

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Friday, December 11th, 2020 AT 8:41 PM

JIM GENTLEMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you for the information. I thought the brake pedal, but checked that and it appears to work fine. It appears to be the right front that is hanging up. It gets smoking hot and the others are normal. You can drive it 100 miles and it won't do it then it will all of the sudden start. It is looking like it might be the caliper slide mechanism hanging up as the piston seemed fine. I'm looking at just replacing the rotors, pads and calipers on both fronts to keep everything even and new. And I think the right front brake hose as it has just been too hot in that area and its a fairly cheap part. Also the speed sensor even though there are no codes, it has gotten overheated too, so thinking it prudent to replace it. What do you think? Maybe I'm replacing a few unnecessary parts, but for a few extra dollars I'll have peace of mind.

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Sunday, January 10th, 2021 AT 1:34 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

Since it is only one wheel, either the caliper piston has a problem, the hardware is preventing the pads from releasing, or the brake hose (rubber one) mounted to the brake caliper.

If you look at the first two pics, I attached the components needing to be checked. make sure everything is moving freely and not corroded or stuck.

The remaining pics are for the replacement of the brake hose. If you press the brake, it doesn't release and then does release when you open the caliper bleeder hose, replace the hose.

If you need to remove the caliper for inspection or replacement. here is a link that explains how in general one is replaced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-caliper-replacement

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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