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buz118 · 06-01-2015, 09:43 PM

Hi all, I just picked up my new airstream interstate lounge ext two days ago and I love it BUT...the Kenwood DNN991HD (which seems fantastic if I only knew how to access it's features) requires that the parking brake is on in order to access the keyboard. I applied the parking brake and now the brake won't release. The release button goes in but the brake is still on and the dashboard light indicates that as well. Has anyone else had this problem any if so, is there a simple fix that I'm missing? Great forum by the way!

73shark · 06-01-2015, 10:13 PM

Welcome to the Airforums.

To release the parking brake, you need to pull up, depress the button, and lower it to the fully released position. It works like a lot of two seater sport car parking brakes.

Enjoy your new conveyance.

buz118 · 06-01-2015, 10:37 PM

I knew right after I pushed submit that my post wouldn't read well. I was hoping that there was some correlation between the Kenwood requiring the parking brake being applied (keyboard access) and the brake not releasing properly. I've owned manual transmission vehicles before and have used the handle type parking brake numerous times but I guess I just have a defective brake. Thanks for the reply.

73shark · 06-01-2015, 11:56 PM

Maybe they didn't connect the wire from the parking brake to the radio so the radio can't tell when the brake is engaged.

My Tahoe has a speed senser that disables the nav entry capability. Real PITA.

BTW, you can edit for up to 30 minutes after you post.

mmmmm · 06-02-2015, 05:05 AM

Also unlike other parking brakes that I am used to, you can actually push the parking brake lever down without pushing the button. So, if you are not pressing the button hard enough, it won't release the parking brake and you will just push the lever down.

Lineolated · 06-02-2015, 05:18 AM

On mine, I have to push the button and yank up HARD. Sometimes it takes me 2 or 3 tries to release it.

buz118 · 06-02-2015, 06:55 AM

Thanks again for the input. I will keep trying maybe I've been a little too gentle because it is new and it may have been sitting on the dealer's lot for a while also, who knows.

toskeysam · 06-02-2015, 07:35 AM

Found that my brake releases better if I add a little pull to the left when lifting handle....otherwise I look I am having a temper tantrum when I release the brake.

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migriffin · 06-02-2015, 09:19 AM

Hi Buz118. I had the same exact problem. I tried to play with the stereo, which required the brake to be in place and I couldn't get it to release. The trick is to pull up really, really hard...way past the point you think you should need to. Then it should release when you push the button. Apparently this is normal, but it's very odd in my opinion and not like any car I have ever owned before. Mercedes dealership confirmed this was normal operation.

buz118 · 06-03-2015, 08:31 AM

I got it working now yahoo! Migriffin, that is exactly what I needed to do. My thanks to everyone here for helping me through this and I am looking forward to many great road trips with my new Airstream Interstate. I am so glad that I found this forum, the information available here is very helpful and the contributors are very kind to newbies with problems that are old news for RV veterans (parking brake issues). Stay safe and I'll see you on the road !

Davydd · 06-05-2015, 04:49 PM

I learned the hard way on this in a panic. If you have the swivel seat package for the driver's seat then you have what is called a "folding" parking brake. That means you can set the break and then push the button in to lower it back down so you can then swivel the seat and still have the brake on. That gives you the false impression that you have released the brake but that it is still on. What you have to do is pull it back up a tad higher than before and push the button in again to release it. To me it seemed rather hard to do to the point I won't put the brake on unless I have to.

73shark · 06-05-2015, 05:15 PM

Maybe mine's broken but I can push mine down without depressing the button. Otherwise it operates as Davydd explained.

Protagonist · 06-05-2015, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73shark

Maybe mine's broken but I can push mine down without depressing the button. Otherwise it operates as Davydd explained.

Not broken, it's supposed to do that. Pushing it down without depressing the button leaves the parking brake ON but gets the lever out of the way of rotating the seat. Pull up again farther than before and press the button while pushing down to disengage the parking brake.

mcintoshMD · 07-27-2019, 01:20 PM

This is great, I panic but problem solved, got to put your back to it pulled it up hard , push the button and press it down then it release, I probably will not park on the hill any more.

Alex AVI · 07-28-2019, 12:46 AM

On many occasions, I am very critical of my AS dealer's expertise. But when it came to the parking brake lever, they smart enough to put 2 decals - 1 right on the brake lever and 1 right above ignition key. They probably knew that even though I am a retired engineer, I don't ever RTFM or Instructions until I end up breaking it. BTW I still did not know the exact wording on those 2 decals until reading it just now prior to typing it below

It says - "Folding handbrake lever Release, see Operating Instructions".

mcintoshMD · 07-29-2019, 03:29 AM

I totally agree, the manual does not tell you to pull the lever up steady past the previous position where you set the brake, push and hold the release button and steadily lower the hand brake lever.

xrvr · 07-29-2019, 04:02 AM

That is how it was years ago!

Alex AVI · 08-04-2019, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcintoshMD

I totally agree, the manual does not tell you to pull the lever up steady past the previous position where you set the brake, push and hold the release button and steadily lower the hand brake lever.

MCINTOSHMD - Well, even though I have known through the years prior to owning this Sprinter how to operate this type of parking brake, tonight I finally did RTFM. While it is not worded the way you stated it above, the MB Sprinter Manual does give very detailed instructions with pictures. I now fail to see how else they could have said/illustrated it better if folks just read the manual. Gonna have to take MB's side on this one

"To release the parking brake: on vehicles with a folding brake lever, first pull brake lever (1) up to the stop.

Raise brake lever (1) slightly and press release knob (2).

Guide brake lever (1) down to the stop. The ((P)) Park indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out."

Boxster1971 · 08-04-2019, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex AVI

MCINTOSHMD - Well, even though I have known through the years prior to owning this Sprinter how to operate this type of parking brake, tonight I finally did RTFM. While it is not worded the way you stated it above, the MB Sprinter Manual does give very detailed instructions with pictures. I now fail to see how else they could have said/illustrated it better if folks just read the manual. Gonna have to take MB's side on this one

"To release the parking brake: on vehicles with a folding brake lever, first pull brake lever (1) up to the stop.

Raise brake lever (1) slightly and press release knob (2).

Guide brake lever (1) down to the stop. The ((P)) Park indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out."

ALEX - Great info - thanks for posting. All owners should get a PDF copy of the owners manuals for their vans, both Mercedes and Airstream. They are much easier to use when looking for something specific.

mcintoshMD · 08-06-2019, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

ALEX - Great info - thanks for posting. All owners should get a PDF copy of the owners manuals for their vans, both Mercedes and Airstream. They are much easier to use when looking for something specific.

I still try not to use it, superstitious, may be. It’s a cold sensation when MB road assistance said my AI need to be towed and I am in the corner in my backyard, I don’t think the tow truck can wiggle their way in there. But thank you lesson learned;-)