Truck starts but won't move

As the title suggests, I had this issue yesterday where my Tacoma started fine but didn't want to move. I had been driving beforehand so it wasn't a cold start and I had backed into an inclined parking spot. The truck shifted fine and I tried every gear and it wouldn't move forward. I had the same issue as the forum below.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/truck-will-start-but-wont-move.561450/

When I would rev the engine the rpm's wouldn't climb but putting my foot almost all the way down got it unstuck. It was kind of confusing because the traction control light came on when I would lightly rev the engine but there was no check engine light. I'm assuming I had the same issue as other people where the rear drum brakes were the likely suspect. Cold weather or terrain weren't a factor. I had my rear wheel bearings replaced earlier this week at a certified Toyota dealership so that might play a role in this.

Some extra throttle got the truck unstuck and it drives fine now. There's no sound/smell of burning metal from the rear brakes so I assume it's solved. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

do U use the E hand brake ?????

 

Neutral safety switch for $500 Alex

 

Waiting on the answer to the E-Brake question above

 

I'm leaning towards the emergency brake being stuck in the hold position.

 

Previous truck did that a lot. MT and used parking brake all the time. In winter, i carried a hammer and short 1/2" pipe, hit the rear driver side drum ( culprit) all around till I found the sweet spot, et voila!

 

Did the rear shoes get contaminated with gear oil? They can get sticky and won't release sometimes

 

Nope I never use the e-brake since I park on a flat surface. It wouldn't make sense in my mind for it to be stuck if I don't touch it.

In terms of the neutral safety switch, the gear indicator on the dash was correct and the truck had no issue cranking in park.

I don't see why they would be contaminated with gear oil, but I can't fully rule that out.

 

Like one person in the other thread. I too had a Ranger that did this all the time (rear drums locking up somewhat). It usually happened after sitting overnight. It was especially bad with the set of drums that came with the truck (I bought it used), but also happened with the replacement Centric drums (though far less frequently).

Luckily in my case, it was never so severe that I had to gun the gas. In fact, I only knew it happened because when I would initially back out of my driveway, I would feel it "release" with a small thud. I rarely used my parking brake in the driveway - just kept in it reverse (it was a manual).

As most likely know, at rest, the shoes BARELY touch the drums, so I surmise there would be JUST enough surface rust developing overnight to make the drum stick to the shoe slightly.

 

I live in Phoenix so there is no concern for salt or snow on the roads. The last couple months when I wash the truck in the morning, the temps are in the high 30s to mid 40s. If I just back the truck in the garage and let it sit overnight, the next day when I leave, I release the parking break shift to drive, give a little bit of gas, theres a “thud” and the truck lurches forward. Everything is fine after that. It made sense to me that the parking brake was sticking. So this morning after it’s wash, I drive slowly around the block at 15 mph and decide to apply the emergency brake very lightly. The back tires locked up, and I slid to a stop. I release the parking brake, give a little gas, and the truck won’t move. I noticed that if I put it in park, reverse or neutral and then back to drive everything seems to be fine. I’m thinking that the dealer probably adjusted my brakes when I took it in for service so the parking brake is extremely touchy. Also, our trucks are very light in the rear. It almost feels as if the driveline is binding and then by putting it in neutral, park or reverse and then back to drive it releases the tension and then moves fine. At least this is what I’m thinking. Any thoughts?

 

Me too !

 

If you're not familiar/comfortable with working on drum brakes, take it to a REPUTABLE shop. It could be a LOT of different things. Incorrectly installed shoes/parts, no grease on the rub points of the backing plates causing incorrect movement, bad/broken parts such as the clips (which is allowing the shoes to shift), etc.