hello all..im new to this forum. i have a question about my 98 olds intrigue. the rear brakes are not functioning when the brake pedal is depressed..but work when the emergency/parking brake is set. every so often i will hear 3 fast "clicks" when the car pulls out of first..the anti lock/brake light comes on and at that point the abs does not function. sometimes i only hear one "click" and the abs works until a very hard stop and then stops working? what in the world is going on here? i didnt even realize the rear brakes were not working until i saw the rotors were rusted!! thanks in advance for the info!

Welcome to the forum.

sounds like the calipers are seized

Does it have drum or disc rear brakes?

I assume disc, because he stated the 'rotors were rusted'.

yes rear discs..does the emer/park brake clamp the calipers or is there a separate mechanism?

most of them now have a drum mechanism in the center of the rotor that is the e-brake

A few e-brake designs push the caliper with a little screw, but GM doesn't seem to use those. They go for the more popular mini-drums.

heliman, these are activated by the e-brake pedal, not the regular brakes. I second the seized caliper diagnosis. We can help you replace a caliper or two by yourself, but if that'* too much to handle, then drive (very slowly) or, better, get towed to the nearest brake shop before you crash your car.