# Cunfused

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/cunfused/27878>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** brakes\
**Created:** [March 16, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cunfused/27878 "2009-03-16T22:44:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wolfwheels1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/898d66/32.png) [@wolfwheels1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolfwheels1)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cunfused/27878/1 "2009-03-16T22:44:19Z")

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i have a '96 geo prizm.281,000 mi.and the brakes apply by themselves at random times.i’m lost as to why and when they do they stay applied so hard that the car will no move at all.when this happens i have to wait until the car cools off before i can drive again.if i wail 30 min.or so the car is fine and it doesn’t happen again for quit awhile.if anybody has any idea why this happens PLEASE help.

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**Author:** ![hd72mm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc29f/32.png) [@hd72mm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hd72mm)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cunfused/27878/2 "2009-03-16T23:34:23Z")

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You ma have a clogged break line or claiper sticking.  
When it does it you must lift wheels and see if 1 or all wheels are stuck then you can go from there.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cunfused/27878/3 "2009-03-16T23:45:30Z")

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My best guess is that one or more of your flexible brake lines are swelling internally, and are not allowing brake pressure to be released from one or more wheels.

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**Author:** ![Nevada\_City\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea666f/32.png) [@Nevada\_City\_Bob](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_City_Bob)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cunfused/27878/4 "2009-03-16T23:46:45Z")

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I think we need to narrow down the “random times”. How many miles into a trip? Weather? Freeway/city? Load? etc. and do you normally set the parking brake?

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**Author:** ![wolfwheels1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/898d66/32.png) [@wolfwheels1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolfwheels1)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2009, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cunfused/27878/5 "2009-03-16T23:54:57Z")

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well brake lines have all been checked and calipers changed

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**Author:** ![wolfwheels1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/898d66/32.png) [@wolfwheels1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolfwheels1)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cunfused/27878/6 "2009-03-17T00:01:30Z")

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that’s just it.it’a very random.no set miles,i live in fl.so the weather is mostly nice.it happens on freeway and city.no load just my big rear{230 lb.}and no i don’t use the parking brake it’s an automatic.and fl.is flat mostly.by random i ment it can go weeks and not happen,then it can do it every day for a week.like i said…random

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 12:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cunfused/27878/7 "2009-03-17T00:13:58Z")

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You need to do as advised,when the problem does occur jack the car up and find out how many wheels are locked. Plese give a report of all work performed from the start.