I have a 2005 ML350 and the emergency break release won't work and the foot pedal won't engage. I have serviced the emergency brakes on 2 separate occasions and the cable was replaced the first time and adjusted the second. And 1 year 6 month later I have this reoccurring problem. Keep in mind I don't even use the emergency brake. It was discovered when my inspection was due.

Never heard of a parking brake automatically engaging. It does suffer with sticking brake cables. Are you sure the driver didn't step on the parking brake pedal? It is what I would have done and I have practiced it a number of times! You press the pedal a second time to release it. It is a known issue that the cable sticks, especially if the parking brake is never used.

https://www.google.com/search?q=1996+oldsmobile+aurora+release+emergency+brake

..

About 73,400 results (0.87 seconds) Search Results

Parking brake release cable snaps - Chevy Avalanche Fan Club of ...

chevyavalanchefanclub.com > ... > Problems: Brakes

24 posts - ‎16 authors
Went to release the parking brake on my 04 and the cable snapped. ... More like the end cap coming of the cable that attaches to the foot pedal. ..... Then I released the parking brake, pulled out the broken release cable/handle assembly, ...

How To Install Repair Replace Parking Brake Release ...

? 5:54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx0oGfV62NQ
Jun 23, 2011 - Uploaded by 1A Auto Parts
How To Install Repair Replace Parking Brake Release CableHandle ... or replace a broken or worn out parking brake release cable handle.

Emergency Brake Pedal Assembly & Stuck Brake Cable ...

? 10:13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jYfvthBzhU
Apr 17, 2014 - Uploaded by corgLLC
Emergency (Parking) Brake Pedal Assembly & Stuck Emergency (Parking) Rear Brake Cable The emergency ...

E-Brake Cable Broken? Stuck Emergency Brake... Help Please ' Chevy ...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com > ... > Engine & Drivetrain

Leaver down some how and pull release.

you should hear a click from the solenoid when you apply the brakes. If your brake lights don't work, your shift lock release won't either. There is a bypass method for emergencies in your owner manual. Check fuse for brake lights. And switch on brake pedal

the tension is set at the pedal so it should have released if it is still engaged at the wheels then you have a seized pivit point at the wheels of in the cable its self after the break.

It probably indicates that the cable is not being fully retracted when brake is disengaged. Spray as much of cable as possible with WD-40, allow to sit for a few hours, the engage and disengage the brake several times untill it loosens. If this fails the cable may be stretched and needs to be replaced.

One or both of your rear emergency brake cables are/is frozen. Give them both a good soaking with nothing but PB blaster. make sure you get the entire sheilded area. You may at the same time want to adjust up the rear brakes. Now back to that pedal. Have someone under the drivwers side pull hard on the E-bracke center cable while you depress and release the foot pedal. don't do this until the cables have set all night with the spray on them. Good Luck! Thanks, Dana

Sounds like the cable is stuck also check the catch on the foot pedel

sounds like your brake cable has broken or there is something damaged in the pedal assembly.........try pulling on the release handle and move the e-brake pedal back to its off position by hand at the same time.(you may have to tie it in this position to keep it up)If that doesnt work there is a sensor on the pedal assembly that you should be able to bypass by either disconecting the wire(1 wire system) or connecting the two wires together (2 wire system)Especially if your truck is a standard the e-brake is an important safety feature,so if these steps fix the light and dinging problem you should still take the steps to have it repaired.
hope this helps.........Good Luck!

The parking brake actuator (the mechanism you press with your foot) works like a ratchet wrench. The pedal has a cresent shaped plate with teeth on it. It pivots on a mounting plate. There is a pawl with a small spring also on the backing plate. This pawl engages the teeth on the pedal assembly to hold the brake engaged (against the large return spring).
Stick your head under the dash and look carefully at the parking brake actuator mechanism. See why the pawl is not engaging the teeth on the pedal assembly. Most likely causes are that the release mechanism is jammed "on" or that the light spring which attaches to the pawl is missing (usually from being kicked by some one with large feet) View this mechanism on another GM vehicle with the same style parking brake if you suspect that parts are missing.
Charlie