Car starts but it won't move

stickyfinger

Started up a VW Polo 02 but it won't move forward or reverse. I can select gears fine and when I raise my foot up off the clutch it seems like it is trying to move, it gives a response like it would when the handbrake is on. It doesn't feel like there is anything wrong when I take the handbrake on and off though. It was fine 3 days ago when I was driving, it was lashing rain and hasn't been driven since. I also can't move the car manually by pushing it when in neutral with the handbrake off. Is there anyway I could free it up? I'd rather drive to the garage than arrange a tow if possible...

Tea 1000

Is the handbrake slightly easier than normal to raise? Probably drums are stuck, so the handbrake is stuck on for want of a better explaination.
If you drive a good distance with it you'll wear the shoes and will need new ones, so it might be cheaper to arrange something else. A mechanic might call out if you explain the problem. Could be sorted in situ.
Try rocking the car back and forth by using reverse and 1st a few times to see if that helps loosen it.

YbFocus

Can't be it tea, if the handbrake was stuck the car would cut out when they were in gear and come off the clutch.

Your clutch is gone, was it getting worse off late?
Higher release, unusual smells?

Could also be a sticking handbrake preventing you from pushing it, but the movement problem is almost definitely the clutch.

Interslice

stickyfinger wrote: »

Started up a VW Polo 02 but it won't move forward or reverse. I can select gears fine and when I raise my foot up off the clutch it seems like it is trying to move, it gives a response like it would when the handbrake is on. It doesn't feel like there is anything wrong when I take the handbrake on and off though. It was fine 3 days ago when I was driving, it was lashing rain and hasn't been driven since. I also can't move the car manually by pushing it when in neutral with the handbrake off. Is there anyway I could free it up? I'd rather drive to the garage than arrange a tow if possible...

Give it plenty of juice!

YbFocus

Am i wrong in thinking there foot is off the clutch totally?

If it's stuck brakes take off hard. They will let go!

Interslice

YbFocus wrote: »

Am i wrong in thinking there foot is off the clutch totally?

If it's stuck brakes take off hard. They will let go!

I'm was just guessing he's lifting the clutch half out and pressing it back in to stop it cutting out. Could be wrong.

RoscommonTom

sounds like a worn clutch, not too dear to get fixed

saabsaab

I'll say corrosion on brakes after wetting and heat.Try tapping the drums with a mallet also the front disc pads (not too hard) with the wheels off. I think if it was clutch you wouldn't be able to change gears at all.

stickyfinger

Thanks all, had another go there and took the foot of the clutch completely, tried a couple of times and it got going again, there was a click from the back so it seems to have been the brakes sticking alright!

rex-x

Sounds like your brake shoe lining has come away from the back plate, get it checked out asap as its dangerous.

Liamalone

Technical term..... "it's fuct"

Tea 1000

YbFocus wrote: »

Can't be it tea, if the handbrake was stuck the car would cut out when they were in gear and come off the clutch.

Your clutch is gone, was it getting worse off late?
Higher release, unusual smells?

Could also be a sticking handbrake preventing you from pushing it, but the movement problem is almost definitely the clutch.

I was going on the basis that he was only coming off the clutch a bit, but you're right if the foot is fully off and the car isn't moving then clutch problem!

stickyfinger wrote: »

Thanks all, had another go there and took the foot of the clutch completely, tried a couple of times and it got going again, there was a click from the back so it seems to have been the brakes sticking alright!

When the foot was off the clutch completely, it was moving alright, was it?

Toyotafanboi

yeah, out 9n polos brakes loved sticking after a wet drive. out garden is gravel and it would literally drag it's rear wheels locked solid for 20-25 meters to the roadside before they would free.

don't be afraid of it, take off hard and they will free.

CreepingDeath

saabsaab wrote: »

I'll say corrosion on brakes after wetting and heat.Try tapping the drums with a mallet also the front disc pads (not too hard) with the wheels off. I think if it was clutch you wouldn't be able to change gears at all.

This happened to an old Opel Corsa I had many years ago.
I drove it through a partially flooded area, no more than 5 inches of water I'd say.

A few days later I tried moving it, and it wouldn't budge.
A guy from the AA gave the back wheels a few wallops with a mallet and it freed it up.

Since then, I try to avoid putting the handbrake on too hard, especially on level ground with no danger of rolling.

Would put money on the lug nuts being overtightened on the rear wheels causing brake drum warping and the shoes are sticking.

vandriver

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

yeah, out 9n polos brakes loved sticking after a wet drive. out garden is gravel and it would literally drag it's rear wheels locked solid for 20-25 meters to the roadside before they would free.

don't be afraid of it, take off hard and they will free.

Our Fabia 2007 does exactly the same thing,(and my brothers 2004 Fabia)