Community Forums

rmc5017 · 03-25-2023, 06:21 AM

The parking brake on my 1999 Surfside (Chevy 464 ci Vortec engine chassis) is inoperative. Anybody have experience how to troubleshoot this mechanical/electrical problem. Please share your knowledge. Thanks in advance.

Isaac-1 · 03-25-2023, 08:11 AM

There is a lot of information out there on the automatic parking brake used on these coaches, see this link as a starting point https://www.oemys-performance.com/j71autopark.htm note last I heard Roger is no long able to help people, though I think his daughter is keeping his old information site up for now.

LETMGROW · 03-25-2023, 08:26 AM

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f22/auto...de-133614.html

As always, ask questions.
You might get some better responses and information if you posted this in the "Workhorse Chassis Room" also or ask a moderator to move your post. ( This room also covers Chevrolet chassis )

donr103 · 03-25-2023, 10:32 AM

Just read.. read.. and read.. until you understand how it works.. one thing I will add.. there is a fuse box inside rv.. to the far left side of steering column.. for the chassis.. way up on top.. there is fuse marked A/P .. you can't see it unless you stand on your head.. instead.. use your cell phone with flash on and record all over the top.. there may.. or may not be inline fuses to back of yellow knob ..
One thing.. there is a big metal box.. mounted on frame rail.. about 1/3 way down from front.. it looks fully enclosed.. but it is open at the top.. use cellphone with flash on and record all over top.. there are about 5 or 6 bolts to remove one side of case cover.. and you can get in box for testing..
If I recall ok.. if the lights on dash that say auto park illuminated.. then fuse is ok.. there is a relay and switches under rv.. in box.. look to see.. if plastic tank is full..
Good luck and keep us posted

chboone · 03-27-2023, 01:01 AM

Below is the expert on Autopark system. I read some time back he wasn't in good health. Still a lot of good information.
https://www.rvautopark.com/about-old-bear/

moisheh · 04-11-2023, 05:13 PM

If I had a MH with the auto park brake I would buy the air replacement for that Hydraulic mess. I think Brazel has it.

rmc5017 · 04-11-2023, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moisheh

If I had a MH with the auto park brake I would buy the air replacement for that Hydraulic mess. I think Brazel has it.

Do you know exactly what parts no. is that? Or when I do my search on their website, what phrases or words I type on the Search box.
Thanks in advance.

Alpine36 · 04-11-2023, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moisheh

If I had a MH with the auto park brake I would buy the air replacement for that Hydraulic mess. I think Brazel has it.

That’s a fact. They only screw up when you need to get somewhere…
I believe there are a few threads here that discuss in detail how to add a manual park brake lever and cable, bypassing that entire Rube Goldberg affair that consists of thousands of dollars in parts that seem to have a high failure rate.

Isaac-1 · 04-11-2023, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmc5017

Do you know exactly what parts no. is that? Or when I do my search on their website, what phrases or words I type on the Search box.
Thanks in advance.

I doubt they still offer it, I know about 5 years ago they had one unit left in stock and enough parts to maybe build one more, some of the parts they used for this design had been discontinued at that time, and in order to build more it would need to be partly redesigned and new parts source found.

moisheh · 04-12-2023, 04:45 AM

Calll Brazel and ask if it is available. Dis connecting the system is a bad idea. You would no longer have a P position on the shifter. At the very least spend about $1000 and buy some of the parts that fail. Some may not be available.

Mark_K5LXP · 04-12-2023, 06:18 AM

Another site with some technical info:
https://www.rvautopark.com/autopark-faq/

Here's a manual conversion thread:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...on-126204.html

A few years ago now someone showed up here on the workhorse forum offering a kit to refit the autopark system with one using a common brake disc. I think they were from the UK but before I could respond to the thread the moderators took it down for violating forum policy, maybe it was advertising. Shame, I would've loved to known the details of that.

I've got the J72 in mine which presumably reduces some of the common J71 issues. But every time I put it in drive I cross my fingers anyway...

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM