2003 Explorer XLT won't move

[Robert Whiteman]

Hello, a fairly new member after purchasing a 2003 XLT 4wd 4.6L this past spring. 129,000 miles, slow leak in radiator and later found coolant leak from intake manifold. I just finished installing a new radiator and Dorman intake manifold. Reconnected battery, started right up, idling well, no visible leaks. Great.

Decided to move the car out of the garage to move drain pan and a few rags still under the car, but the car will not move, in reverse or forward. It tried, but wheels will not turn. It feels as if I'm trying to jump a curb. I did not try too hard since I have no clue what this could be. It drove fine since buying in in May of this year(2018), up until I parked it to do the work. I only worked on the radiator and intake. Nothing else(that I know of) was touched. Could it be from disconnecting the battery?

Again, it's trying to move, both forward and backward, but acts like the wheels are blocked. Yes, e-brake was off, but needs adjustment anyway, so wouldn't matter even if it was on. I've left it on a couple times when starting out until I realized the brake light was on.

I also noticed that the brake pedal seems soft, and almost feels as if there is little or no pressure in the lines. It is late, so I have not looked for any brake fluid leaking.

Thanks in advance for any ideas you might have.
Bob

 

[Mbrooks420]

It’s not a battery disconnection issue.

What’s the fluid and level look like?

Will it roll in neutral?

 

[Robert Whiteman]

Thank you for the response and direction Mbrooks420!

I'm assuming you are speaking about the brake fluid.
Fluid is clear with a slight "gold"(?) color, and just up to the MAX line.
Car in neutral acts as if super-glued to the garage floor!

When I awoke early this morning after finishing very late last night, my first thought was stuck brake(s).
Your simple test seems to verify this, as well as a conversation with my son-in-law this morning
who said he's seen that happen.

So now to check to see which wheel(s) might need working on....

Is this what you were headed towards as far as what the problem most likely is?
Anything I might need to be looking for once I find the offending wheel(s)?
(I have worked on brakes in the past, though only as an amateur. I can follow clear instructions
and have most of the tools I should need.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I meant the transmission fluid, although it could possibly be a stuck brake. I’d think the truck could easily overcome a single locked caliper.

If you jack up one corner at a time you should be able to spin the wheels, at least to a degree, in neutral. Even in Park they will rock back and forth as the slip in the axle and gears are taken up. If a caliper is stuck it likely won’t have any play.

A visual check of the rotors might also show one that’s been blued from being over heated.

 

[Robert Whiteman]

Ok, the transmission was just serviced a couple months ago(june/july?). There is no way to check the level, but it was a full flush and new fluid added after I drove around 1 week with some type of cleaner additive to help remove all the gunk.

Today I checked each wheel, and none were locked/seized, so good/bad news there since I wondered what it could be then. I also considered that perhaps it would move now and tried. Same results, though this time I gave it just a tiny bit more throttle and after a "pop", the car moved and drove just fine. Went about 1/2 mile down the road, shifting was normal, brakes were as good as ever with the pedal feeling solid.

Nothing fell off, no leaking of any kind that I've seen, so.......what?!! It was after 5 PM, so I'll call the shop on Monday to see if they have any idea. If anyone here as any clue, I'm listening.....

Keep in mind it sat for nearly a month waiting for time to address the radiator removal/install and the intake manifold replacement, while having too much other stuff going on. I have my other truck to drive, so it could sit as long as needed, and I was reading/watching everything I could find before proceeding with those two jobs, as well as replacing the water pump and fan clutch per everyone's advice. Seems ok again.

 

[vipersinu2]

Is the shifter sloppy?

See this video