98 Ranger unable to move forwards
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From: Utah
98 Ranger unable to move forwards
I have a 1998 Ranger XLT, 4x4, 5 speed manual, with the 3.0 v6.
Today, after having been parked outside for about 7 hours in cold, snowy/rainy weather, my ranger was unable to drive forwards. The truck fired up and ran just fine, and it went into gear fine as well, but when I started to feel the clutch grab, and when the truck began to move forwards, it abruptly stopped and was unable to move forwards any more. After stopping moving, it didn't stall and I could still rev it up, it just wouldn't move forwards.
I had exactly this problem once before (also after being parked outside in the cold for many hours), and was able to fix it by driving around the parking lot in reverse (it was at night and no one was there except for me) for a few minutes before putting it back into 1st and driving off with no problem. I tried that strategy again tonight, but this time the truck was unable to creep forwards more than a few feet before stopping abruptly again in the same way as before.
A (very kind) man stopped to help tow me back into a parking spot, and another person who was watching while he did so said that all three of my wheels turned while being towed (truck was in neutral) except for one of the back ones (I believe it was back left but I can't remember for sure.)
Any ideas as to what this could be? Thanks for any advice.
Today, after having been parked outside for about 7 hours in cold, snowy/rainy weather, my ranger was unable to drive forwards. The truck fired up and ran just fine, and it went into gear fine as well, but when I started to feel the clutch grab, and when the truck began to move forwards, it abruptly stopped and was unable to move forwards any more. After stopping moving, it didn't stall and I could still rev it up, it just wouldn't move forwards.
I had exactly this problem once before (also after being parked outside in the cold for many hours), and was able to fix it by driving around the parking lot in reverse (it was at night and no one was there except for me) for a few minutes before putting it back into 1st and driving off with no problem. I tried that strategy again tonight, but this time the truck was unable to creep forwards more than a few feet before stopping abruptly again in the same way as before.
A (very kind) man stopped to help tow me back into a parking spot, and another person who was watching while he did so said that all three of my wheels turned while being towed (truck was in neutral) except for one of the back ones (I believe it was back left but I can't remember for sure.)
Any ideas as to what this could be? Thanks for any advice.
Welcome to the forum
Cold/Freezing weather means don't use Parking Brake, e-brake
The cables freeze and won't release brakes
You can often backup but not go forward, which points to e-brake problem
Sometimes you can't move either direction
Try setting and releasing the e-brake a few times to get cable to break loose
Water gets inside the cable sheaths while driving, when you park and set the e-brake this water can freeze solid, so when you release the brakes one or both sides don't release.
This is usually not a problem in the brake drum, but in the cables
For future thought, you can uses a penetrating oil or silicone lube to try and displace any water in the cables, but for now, once brakes are released, don't use parking brake until weather warms up
Cold/Freezing weather means don't use Parking Brake, e-brake
The cables freeze and won't release brakes
You can often backup but not go forward, which points to e-brake problem
Sometimes you can't move either direction
Try setting and releasing the e-brake a few times to get cable to break loose
Water gets inside the cable sheaths while driving, when you park and set the e-brake this water can freeze solid, so when you release the brakes one or both sides don't release.
This is usually not a problem in the brake drum, but in the cables
For future thought, you can uses a penetrating oil or silicone lube to try and displace any water in the cables, but for now, once brakes are released, don't use parking brake until weather warms up
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From: Utah
Okay I went back to the parking lot where I left it and tried the e brake thing, it didn't work at first but then I felt something "break loose" for lack of a better term and I was able to drive again. For the first few seconds of this driving the ranger slowed down more quickly than usual and while it was slowing down I heard a faint whine that decreased in pitch as it went and stopped after a second. As I continued, both anomalies stopped and I was able to drive home without any further issues.
Rear brakes were probably still rubbing a bit.
As parts warmed up they released fully
You can pull off the drums and have a look at the brake parts, make sure there is no moisture inside, but the e-brake cables are the most common issue
Spray lube inside cable sheaths as best you can, lube doesn't mix with the water but hopefully displaces enough so when it does freeze there is not enough to hold cable in place
Avoid setting e-brake, lol, I know for me it is almost "automatic" to push down on that pedal when parking.
But if you do just release it, parts are still warm so brakes will release.
Leave trans in Reverse or First, compression and ratio will hold vehicle in place, if you have to park on hills often, then use front wheels against curb for holding or carry a block of your choice
As parts warmed up they released fully
You can pull off the drums and have a look at the brake parts, make sure there is no moisture inside, but the e-brake cables are the most common issue
Spray lube inside cable sheaths as best you can, lube doesn't mix with the water but hopefully displaces enough so when it does freeze there is not enough to hold cable in place
Avoid setting e-brake, lol, I know for me it is almost "automatic" to push down on that pedal when parking.
But if you do just release it, parts are still warm so brakes will release.
Leave trans in Reverse or First, compression and ratio will hold vehicle in place, if you have to park on hills often, then use front wheels against curb for holding or carry a block of your choice
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