My second question is about the brake warning light. Sometimes it doesn’t shut off when I begin driving. If I press and again release the parking brake it will usually turn off.

My final concern is the radio. It stopped playing and the fuse already has been checked. I’ve been told it’s not practical to replace it with an identical Plymouth radio and I would need to be changed to an after-market unit. Will these radios work with my existing speakers? How will it fit in the dashboard?

-Amanda Hollings, Salinas, Calif.

A. The sound you’re describing could be harmless vibration from irregularly wearing all-season tires or a failing wheel bearing.

Here’s how to tell the difference: Pay attention the noise while making sweeping left and right turns. If it changes, it is likely caused by a failing wheel bearing, which should be replaced right away. If the noise remains fairly constant, inspect each tire’s tread for cupping or jagged tread. Rotating the tires often will change the sound but likely not restore tread evenness after it has reached this level of degradation. If the tires pass muster with a professional inspection – and the noise doesn’t make you crazy – you could continue to use them until minimum tread thickness occurs.

What about the sometimes-illuminated brake warning lamp? It sounds like your parking brake assembly is a bit sticky to fully release and at times isn’t opening the warning lamp switch. Next time the lamp fails to go out, try slipping your toes beneath the parking brake pedal and lifting it firmly.

If this turns off the lamp, a well-aimed shot of penetrating oil should restore a full return sweep of the pedal mechanism. With the parking brake applied and an old towel beneath, shoot a two-second burst of penetrating oil at the pedal’s pivot pin and adjacent mechanism. Then release and apply the pedal five to 10 times and note the result. If the mechanism still fails to release fully, the cause might be a sticking parking brake cable, which would require replacement.

Replacing the Acclaim’s problematic original radio with an after-market CD-radio makes a lot of sense. Even though speaker compatibility isn’t a problem, you might still consider renewing them, as a set of replacement units (about $50-plus for a pair) will blow the doors off your dried-out originals in listening enjoyment. For an informative and comprehensive tour of sound-system possibilities, check out www.crutchfield.com.

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(Brad Bergholdt teaches automotive technology at Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, Calif. E-mail him at under-the-hoodjuno.com or write to him in care of Drive, Mercury News, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95190. He cannot make personal replies.)

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