Parking brake will not release...'93 deVille

My uncle asked me to release the parking brake on his 1991 Sedan DeVille...now I've recently acquired a 1993 Sedan DeVille...same crappy problem... Anyone got a clue where to start looking.... seems this is actuated by some kind of vaccum device if I'm not terribly mistaken. Both vehicles have had work on the steering column.

In case you haven't figured this out yet they are normally vacuum operated when the car is put into gear but there is a tiny manual release lever. Feel around for it at the base of the pedal shaft.

In case you haven't figured this out yet they are normally vacuum operated when the car is put into gear but there is a tiny manual release lever. Feel around for it at the base of the pedal shaft.

Yep... I know where that is. I was just trying to figure out how to make it work the "RIGHT" way.

My 78 Seville once had the vacuum hose pop off ceasing the auto fuction. Look at that. If it is a fault in something else in the emergency brake unit the whole thing may have to be replaced.
http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Sigh.gif

I was told that there is a cannister and a vaccum hose on the steering column and that I should hear a vaccum noise if there is a leak. I'll have to check this out....maybe I can find the vaccum line and use a vaccum pump to see if the release works or not...then go from there back to the vaccum source.