1998 Explorer XLT: ABS ISSUE / DROVE W/ PARKING BRAKE

[1998Exp]

Ok, here's the deal...

I drove my 1998 Ford Explorer about 20 miles, not knowing the E-brake was on, when the ABS light came on the dash, the car became very sluggish, not going over 35mph, and puttering, almost like it was out of gas and about to die. After about 1 more mile, I made it home where it completely died and I couldn't get it started again (it seemed like the battery was dead).
The next day it started right up, I test drove it, and after a couple miles, it kinda puttered again, then died, and I couldn't get it started until I tried jumping it a few times and after about a million key turns (this took about two hours).
I was able to drive back home (a couple miles), but it didn't go over 20mph and felt like it was going to die, which it finally did again.
I haven't been able to get it started since.

If anyone can help at all with this, I'd greatly appreciate it! If I can answer any questions, or provide more info please let me know.

Thank you!!

If you drove 20 miles with the e-brake engaged, it's definitely not the problem anymore -- the shoes would be gone by now.
And, in the way of general advice: if you are expecting help from the great experts on this forum (myself not included), you need to provide as much detail as you can. Start with the engine type (there were three different ones for the 98 model), RWD, 4WD, or AWD (that would be for the 5.0L engine only), CEL on or not, mileage, any similar issues in the past, any recent repairs, etc. It's good to put the essentials in your profile, so you don't need to repeat them.

 

[donalds]

I'd put in my .02 ¢
I think it was overheating

 

[nafgomez]

Ok, here's the deal...

I drove my 1998 Ford Explorer about 20 miles, not knowing the E-brake was on, when the ABS light came on the dash, the car became very sluggish, not going over 35mph, and puttering, almost like it was out of gas and about to die. After about 1 more mile, I made it home where it completely died and I couldn't get it started again (it seemed like the battery was dead).
The next day it started right up, I test drove it, and after a couple miles, it kinda puttered again, then died, and I couldn't get it started until I tried jumping it a few times and after about a million key turns (this took about two hours).
I was able to drive back home (a couple miles), but it didn't go over 20mph and felt like it was going to die, which it finally did again.
I haven't been able to get it started since.

If anyone can help at all with this, I'd greatly appreciate it! If I can answer any questions, or provide more info please let me know.

Thank you!!

i did this before, you got to check those brakes you could've ceased the calipers might have to change one or just all of them

 

[E.T.]

I thought the e brake was just a coincidence as well. Thank you!

Driving with the parking brake on requires more effort on the part of the engine, which would mean more fuel which would strain the pump which might cause it to fail, at least that'd be my chain of logic. I'm often surprised by how well my truck runs up until the thing that breaks breaks.

 

[J_C]

^ Disagree. Parking brake must've barely worked in the first place, or else you'd notice while driving, so strain on the engine is slight enough it wouldn't be a problem, except brake wear. I could be wrong, if the brake seized hard and it was really bogged down (I wasn't driving so don't know if it was a struggle to keep speed), but I have to assume anyone would notice that and look at their dash and see the brake light sooner rather than 20 miles later.

Using more fuel is not an increased strain on the pump, since it is not mechanically engine driven but instead electric and runs at full power the entire time (in this generation of vehicle) and would just pass more fuel through it, cooling it slightly (more).

 

[E.T.]

I do see your point- was unaware the pump was on/off rather than variable speed!

 

[Joel Barbee]

Ok, here's the deal...

I drove my 1998 Ford Explorer about 20 miles, not knowing the E-brake was on, when the ABS light came on the dash, the car became very sluggish, not going over 35mph, and puttering, almost like it was out of gas and about to die. After about 1 more mile, I made it home where it completely died and I couldn't get it started again (it seemed like the battery was dead).
The next day it started right up, I test drove it, and after a couple miles, it kinda puttered again, then died, and I couldn't get it started until I tried jumping it a few times and after about a million key turns (this took about two hours).
I was able to drive back home (a couple miles), but it didn't go over 20mph and felt like it was going to die, which it finally did again.
I haven't been able to get it started since.

If anyone can help at all with this, I'd greatly appreciate it! If I can answer any questions, or provide more info please let me know.

Thank you!!

My assumption is that with what you have explained sounds like catalytic converter/converters' are clogged?.?. Back in 2007 my 86 Chevy Corvette started doing the same thing and wouldn't go over like 20 25 miles an hour spitting and sputtering. I pulled into this muffler shop that was just down the street and asked him if he could check it out find out what's wrong, and the key explain to me it was my catalytic converters which I had three of them on that Corvette had to be replaced... After I replace them car ran perfect. So that's just my input for you there buddy maybe you have them checked out.