Emergency Brake Cutting Power

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Mr.1980

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Feb 27, 2018
7
0
1
East Providence, Rhode Island
Okay so I have probably the oddest automotive related problem I've seen thus far; I have a 1989 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Wagon with a 307 V8 and recently I noticed odd problems with the electrical system. The radio, interior and exterior lights, and windows all got barely enough power at idle. The lights would flicker, the radio would cut in and out, and the windows went up and down like molasses; if I revved up the engine the radio and lights powered up quickly and then would putter out again at idle. So I replaced the battery and installed a brand new AC Delco alternator now here comes the strange part.

At idle everything works perfectly radio, lights, windows etc. as soon as I pull the emergency brake everything electrical cuts out no lights, no radio, nothing the engine still runs perfectly I can shift it into gear and drive the car just nothing electrical works. As soon as I step down and re-activate the emergency brake everything electrical kicks back on I've never seen this before, I don't understand how the emergency brake is related to the overall electrical system.

This car is like the Amityville Horror it does the most unexplained things but somehow runs like a champ; I'm guessing it might be a blown fuse or a relay I haven't delved that far into this problem yet but I swear it's like the electrical system on this wagon is possessed.
 

oldsmobile joe

Royal Smart Person
Nov 12, 2015
2,067
3,053
113
mpls
Sounds like a ground problem. Check your dash grounds
 
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1983calais

Master Mechanic
Feb 26, 2015
278
337
63
Tiffin, OH
There is usually a ground terminal close to or if not mounted to the e brake. I would start there.
 
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Old ElCo Dude

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Feb 20, 2020
20
17
3
Also look under the dash there near the E brake but up and under the dash too, as you apply and release the brake.Look specifically for sparks or bundles of wires moving.The action of applying and releasing could be causing something to make or break a connection under there.
 
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Texas82GP

Just-a-worm
Apr 3, 2015
7,981
18,676
113
Spring, Texas
Just for grins make sure the bolt that goes through the bulkhead connector on the engine side of the firewall is tight. It goes through the connector and threads into the fuse box inside the car, clamping the two together. I'm thinking maybe it is loose and the motion of the e-brake is moving the fuse box around. I think this is a long shot but worth looking at.
 
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