Q: Hard clug noise and brakes locked; car barely moved

asked by on September 26, 2016

I purchased my car used and I perform regular maintenance and oil changes. This morning after pulling out from our house, there was a hard clug noise and the car would barely move. It moved about 20-30 feet and then I quickly started trying to get it parked. The brakes felt like they were locked when I was trying to park it and I could barely push down the brake pedal. It was more like a roll into the parking spot, instead of driving. The check engine light started blinking and I turned off my car. The parking brake was released and I had a full take of gas. What is causing this problem and what is your advice to get it back into proper working order?

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Wheels screeching after car wash
There is no kind of lubricant that will solve your problem. It sounds like your rotors got wet. Sometimes, the brakes will make a grinding noise for a short time after this happens. Also, if they are allowed to sit...
evap
Restriction in the EVAP vent or purge hoses can also cause this code. A restricted EVAP canister will also set P0446 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0446-obd-ii-trouble-code-evaporative-emission-control-system-vent-control-circuit-malfunction-by-spencer-clayton). A smoke test can find restricted canister. I suggest having a mechanic come out and diagnose your Check...
not starting
The first thing to check is to see if you have fuel pressure at the fuel injector fuel rail. Sometimes the fuel filter housing will block fuel from coming from the fuel tank and blocks the fuel from getting through...
The car accelerates slowly, hesitates and shudders
Unmetered air can cause this type of hesitation and shuddering. Too much air compared to fuel will cause a lean misfiring condition. Fault codes need to be read out of your Mercedes C320's engine computer to see if there are...
Vehicle shuts off intermittently at idle
The P0113 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/diagnostic-trouble-code-dtc-p0113-by-jay-safford) code relates to a problem with the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor. The computer is seeing a reading that is outside of its normal parameters and is causing the computer to set the code. This could also...
Why is the oil in my car disappearing?
Hello, your car is using the oil internally. This can be done by engine wear with the piston rings in the cylinders. The rings seal air and fuel in the cylinder, when they wear the sealing ability is reduced....
swap a newer year engine Into my 2001 ford ranger 4x4 4.0l sohc
Unfortunately Your Mechanic does not perform engine replacements or engine swaps. Since it's not something we normally do, it would be difficult to provide you with the answer as to what may need to be modified or replaced in your...
1997 Isuzu Rodeo 2WD 2.6L - Where do I pick up signal for an aftermarket tachometer? No factory tach.
Hi there. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer tech assistance on aftermarket part upgrades or installs, as we don't offer these services to customers. I would recommend that you purchase a repair and service manual manual for your Isuzu as...
Shifter slides into neutral w/o using button on shifter and while driving
This is normal way the shifter works. The button would need to be used to get from neutral to reverse. There is nothing wrong with your vehicle's shifter.

Related articles

10 Biggest Car-Related Headaches and What to Do About Them
You You don’t want to, but if you're a car owner it's inevitable that at some point you will experience car troubles. It's also fairly certain that the machine you rely on will cause you grief when you least expect...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Architect
Obviously, Obviously, architects appreciate beauty and symmetry. This is not just the case when it comes to their building projects, but also in terms of the vehicles they choose. We have evaluated several used cars, and identified the Mercedes CLA,...
How Long Does a Ball Joint Front Last?
Ball joints are an essential part of your car’s suspension. They connect your steering to your control arms, allowing you...