2000 Chevy S10 eXtreme parking break help

It’s kind of a ratcheting mechanism; that has a spring loaded pawl that locks the pedal in the applied position. What happens sometimes is that the grease that is applied to lubricate this pawl will go dry and act more like glue then a lubricant. The spring that pulls the pawl down against the teeth of the ratchet isn’t strong enough and the pawl won’t engage the ratchet.
Usually spraying a little penetrating oil on the pivot of the pawl will loosen up things and it’ll start working again. If you lie down on the floor and look up at the mechanism you’ll see what I’m talking about.
There is a chance that the spring is broken; if so remove the old spring and go to most any auto parts store and they’ll have some form of replacement spring.
It’s not a hard job; it’s just an awkward spot to see and work in.

Dan.