won't move

[ptdman]

I've got an 01 Inferno Red Sport wagon. I am going to sell it after 4 years of pure enjoyment. After detailing it and putting the stock stereo back in it today I have come upon a problem. It seem it does not want to go!!!! Literally I mean!! When you put it in gear it will not move. It seems that the front brakes are locked up. Has this happened to anyone else? I have not done anything except engage the emergency brake really hard so that I could get the center console out and I took the afermarket rims off and put stock Chrysler steel wheels back on. Does this have anything to do with security for the stereo? Anyone got any ideas?

[bigtommy83]

If you have never used your e brake for the 4 years you have had it, there is a good chance that the ebrake is seized up. When you say it does not go, the engine revs up and everything? Does it feel like it wants to go? When you try to go, does that back end sink down? If the back end sinks down, there is a good chance your rear e brake is seized...only if you have rear disc though. If you have rear drum, you use those brakes everytime you drive. There is a slim chance that your ebrakes could've seized up. Without seeing it or touching the vehicle, this is the best I could tell you. It has nothing to do with the stereo. At least, with a Chrysler alarm it doesn't.

[quicksilverdon]

When you say you took the center console off - you mean between the seats? You may have disturbed the shift linkage, so you think you're in gear but you're not. I doubt the ebrake would keep car from moving - people have been known to drive with ebrake on.

[CREWZIN]

quote:Originally posted by quicksilverdon

I doubt the ebrake would keep car from moving - people have been known to drive with ebrake on.

Hey Don...we disagree again. I gotta agree with BigTommy. To remove the center console (I know for a fact) you gotta pull that e-brake handle almost straight up..I mean really hard with every bit of strength you have, to clear the hole when pulling the console up and out. That will pull the rear brakes hard against the drum (if PTdman has a drum)and will stop ya from moving.

[ptdman]

OK in the words of Bugs Bunny "what a Maroon!" The mystery has been solved (I think). I just got home from work and haven't had a chance to totally investigate but I do believe I have muddled out the problem. I took factory steel wheels from an 02 Neon and swapped them with Americn Racing Aero wheels off the PT. I believe that the neon wheels don't have the required clearance and I have tightened them down against the PT's calipers so that the wheels will not turn!!! I bet that when I swap back the wheels I will be motoring again. Since the PT is a heavier car it must have larger calipers and hence the problem. I will let ya'll know and thanks for your help.