Weird repeating sound with a burning metal smell.

[staticwarp]

today i had driven the van for about 20 minutes and was stopped on a slight uphill slope. the van started trying weakly to lurch backwards every three seconds or so accompanied by a grinding sound. i drove across the street and noticed a little trouble accelerating. i put it in park and noticed that it was now trying to lurch forward when it made the sound. the sound continued every three seconds and a burning metal smell filled the van. i drove it back across the street to my house and let it cool off, then checked all the fluids, which are at the correct level.

i dont have any theories as to what this is. any ideas? i'm kind of afraid that the old aerostar may have run its last lap.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Do you have a pair of ramps? If so, then put it on ramps, and check everything underneath to see if there are wet spots on the exhaust or another location.

 

[staticwarp]

unfortunately i dont have any ramps. what would the wet spots mean?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Oil or transmission fluid dripping on the exhaust.

 

[staticwarp]

i can take a look. the trans fluid has been at the same level since i got it a year ago. it definitely leaks oil as i have to add a quart every few months. how would a leak of either of those wind up making the car act like i described above? at this point i'm afraid to drive it anywhere because i dont want it to sieze up and have to leave it on the side of the road. i'm ready to sell it to a parts guy, but dont want to do that if its a simple repair.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check the front brake pads? Bad pads could easily burn, and cause intermittent grabbing & slipping. Do you have an ABS light on? Is your vehicle a regular 2WD or E-4WD?

 

[staticwarp]

abs light is not on. its a 2wd. i'll check the brakes and underneath the car in the morning. thanks for the suggestions!

 

[staticwarp]

dont think its a brake problem, i idled it in park, neutral and drive, and it only did the sound once in park, but started up again in drive with the smell and all.