doodday

Hi guys, my 98 windstar just wont move at all after I disconnected the battery. I started the car and when I put it into drive or reverse but it wont move. The transmission does engage and the car tries to move but it feels like something is holding it. I put it into neutral and tried to push it still wont budge even an inch.

Is it possible that hte ABS is locking up the wheels not allowing it to move? How can I disable the ABS so as to confirm its the problem. Help me here guys its my 3rd week of owning this car and already have two problems. thanks in advanced

sahib

I don't think the ABS would cause your problem. Jack the vehicle up and try to turn the wheels, the ones off the ground, by hand. You would need the transmission in neutral to check the front wheels. May be a caliper not releasing or it may be the emegency/parking brake hung up. Find out which one(s) are causing the problem and go from there.

doodday

sahib, I have determined that it is both the rear wheels that are not moving. The front wheels are moving freely. Can you tell me what may have caused this?

Anyone else might know what might be the problem please help me. thanks

SteveNixon

My guess would be the e-brake is locking up. check the tension of the cable. if it's really tight, or taught as some would say, could be locked on.

sahib

Since both wheels are not turning I'd guess the emergency/parking brake is the cause of the problem. Make sure the lever is released. If it is in the released position then you may have the cables frozen in their guides/retainers. Seems strange both would become frozen at the same time. There should be an equalizer under the vehicle just aft of the brake handle. From there two cables will go to their respective wheels. They'll be exposed for a short distance before going into their guides/retainers. You can check for tension there as SteveNixon indicated. If they are taut there then I would suspect something wrong with the lever. If loose but the wheels are still locked then the cables are frozen in the guides/retainers or something is wrong at the wheels themselves. Good luck.

doodday

thanks for all who helped, the problem is now solved. As sahib and stevenixon suggested the e-brake is frozen and now the van is moving. thank you.