89 grandmarquis/vacuum leak!!!

[chrisjoyce]

I had a loud ass vacuum leak under the dash, it was very loud! When I shift on the columm it changes tone. When in park it was almost gone. I looked under the dash and It was the vacuum line that was connected on the steering columm by the fire wall. There was 2 vacuum lines and it looked like they were attached to a neutral saftey switch or something? I disconnected the line and plugged it, nice and quiet now. I just need to know what that line is used for, Im not to sure what it's purpose is and I don't want to cause any issues. Any sort of help would be great thank you!!!

[86VickyLX]

One is used for the Hvac system. the other is for the e-brake release. if you follow the one hose, it will go over to above the e brake pedal. that's so when you put the car in gear, the brake will pop out. The other one I think is for the tricky setup of the doors and vents for the hvac system. Mine does that too though. If you play with the column it will shut up. (sometimes) How do you replace that and where do you get them?

[gadget73]

e-brake release. You might be able to get one from Ford, but the simple solution is to simply plug the line off.

[chrisjoyce]

vacuum

I didn't know that these cars had an automatic brake release, I guess mine doesn't work. If it's supposed to pop out by it's self, why do I have a brake release handle?

[turbo2256b]

Pull on it to hardd and you wont have a handle

[86VickyLX]

Pull on it to hardd and you wont have a handle

Don't pull it too hard. The parking brake only stays engaged while in park. and maybe some gears. I think, Neutral. Mine holds in Reverse and Overdrive also. D and D1 it pops out. The handle is to release the brake in the gears that the brake stays engaged.

All cars have an Ebrake release lol. Whether it be a separate handle, or stepping on the e-brake pedal again will disengage it. ( not on our cars though)

[85crownHPP]

... or stepping on the e-brake pedal again will disengage it. ( not on our cars though)

actually...

my 91 has a "press to release" E-brake

[86GmLsCoupe]

The e-brake vacuum switch tends to go often from what I've heard. Dirt and dust get in them and mess them up. Like they said you can cap them and lose the feature, or pick one up at Ford or Teamfordparts. They're still available and not to expensive if I remember correctly.

[gadget73]

I didn't know that these cars had an automatic brake release, I guess mine doesn't work. If it's supposed to pop out by it's self, why do I have a brake release handle?

For when it fails. Its also so you can release the brake with the engine not running or whatever. Its supposed to release in any forward gear, but usually they start leaking and either don't release, or release only in certain spots (D or 1) instead of the intended behavior.

[86VickyLX]

So that's exactly what I'm dealing with, I'll have to go to Winner Ford and pick one up.

[86GmLsCoupe]

Anyone have a fun time replacing them? It's only like two screws but it took me some time laying upside down on the seat with my head in the foot well to get it. Reminds me of trying to get to the headlight switch release tab.