My '95 Dakota, when I step on the E-brake sometimes it holds. Most of the time it doesn't! Doesn't even click as it goes down. Just pops right back up! I'm thinking it's a worn ratcheting mechanism. Confirmation or opinions before I go to the yard and pull another one? Thanks everyone!

 

You should be able to look under the dash and observe the ratcheting mechanism as you push it and whatever the problem is may be very obvious. Or may not.

 

might be a stuck release handle... seen that were it dosent pop back, had to push handle back in manually(spring related) or might be rust, or somthing of the sort

 

Update:
Pulled it out and found a worn ratcheting mechanism. Picked one up in great condition out of a '93 at Pick-N-Pull - $23 out the door. Slapped it in, works like a charm. All is good!