1985 535 parking brake/various issues

[gestalt]

Hi. Does anyone know where I should begin looking for this issue regarding my parking brake. The lever has tension on it when pulled back, but the brake doesn't seem to be grabbing at the wheels. Could it just be a simple adjustment? I just purchased this car yesterday from a guy who received the car in lieu of a balance owed to him for storage. It has some other glitches to be figured out as well. The car drives and operates for the most part, but here are the biggest issues outside the parking brake...

-has been hotwired with a switch to operate the starter
-clutch pedal sticks occasionally (doesn't come back up)
-clutch engages early (not much travel)

I'd like to thank any or all of you in advance for pointing me in the right direction as I am new to owning a bmw.

Thanks!!!

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

It could be as simple as an adjustment to the cables that operate the brakes, or it could be that the E-brake shoes are worn out. Really the only way to check is to pull the wheels and first try re-adjustment, if that doesnt help, pull the rotors and check the e-brake shoes...

As for the clutch pedal, that sounds as though the master or slave cylinder may be faulty...

[gestalt]

Thanks Jared. I did pull the wheels to attempt the adjustment of the parking brake, but it was too hard to see what was going on through the lug nut hole in the rotor. I will pull the rotors off for a closer inspection.

Thanks for the thought on the clutch pedal. It does seem like a hydraulic issue with the pedal itself. Is it something that can be repaired or does it just need replacing?

Thanks!

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Typically, you just replace the master or slave cylinder.. not really worth fixing. I'd probably replace the hose as well..