That usually means the body ground strap has rotted away. Setting the
e-brake is giving it a place to steal some ground when the cable comes
up tight.

I would be looking for a wire mesh strap from the block or head to the
firewall or a cable from the battery negative to the fender that has
broken or is corroded.

A booster cable from the battery negative to a bolt or good contact
firewall should allow it to start up.

This lack of ground will also stop the battery from charging so it will
go dead. It will put a bit of a surface charge in it if it can steal
enough ground to run, but it won't charge it up. This can give you
starts during the day, but it will die if left over night.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

" wrote:
>
> I have a 77 bronco with a strange electrical problem. (I think) I have
> been ignoring this problem for months but now I can't.
>
> 1. the batter is draining
> 2. when I jump the car, it will only turn over if I set the e-brake.
> 3. when I release the e-brake all gauges, lights, and radio cut out.
> sometimes they come back but less and less.
>
> does anyone have any idea why the e-brake would have anything to do
> with the electrial? I don't even know where to start. I've looked at
> the brake cable and it doesn't seem to be pulling or rubbing on
> anything.
>
> Thanks,
> Karen