So I've had my 89 RS since 2003. The E brake has never worked, the dash light will come on when the lever is pulled up though. I'm doing a rear end swap right now. All the cables were hooked in the drums. What should I be looking for to make them work again?? I might as well do it now since everything is torn down...

 

Generally you will end up needing all new cables. I cannot remember what design 89 has but Advance Auto should have replacement cables.

Rebuild the brakes on the rear and buy cables for the car with the breaks on the new rear.

IE if your new rear is drums get drum cables.

 

Ok let me tell you what the deal is. I removed the old rear end, while it was out I pulled up on the parking brake handle. The old cables drew in and the dash light came on. I installed the new rear end but did not hook up the parking brake cables. The dash light stayed on as well. I installed the parking brake cables today. If I pull waaayyyy up in the parking brake handle it will engage but the car still rolls, but very slowly. But it still rolls. And the brake dash light is still on. Even with the handle in the down position. Any thoughts?

I also installed new shoes and all new springs.

 

I cannot remember what setup the 89 has but there should be an adjuster somewhere.

 

What about the brake light on the dash being on??