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  • From: Rob <becida AT comcast.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Car problem
  • Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:45:54 -0800

At 1/24/2009 01:56 PM,Lynn Wigglesworth wrote:
My mother's car is a 1993 Ford Tempo. It won't start, but I think the
problem is the brake. The key turns in the ignition, the dashboard lights
light (all of them), but it doesn't make a sound. It's NOT the battery...I
KNOW what a dead battery sounds like. That car has all kinds of interlocks
with the brake and the shift (it's an automatic) and the brake and the
ignition. You need to depress the brake to do anything, like start the car
or shift out of Park. If the brake doesn't work, nothing works.

The problem is that the brake pedal won't go down at all. I know absolutely
nothing about cars, but I suspect something in the brake mechanism
(linkage?) is jammed. I couldn't find a tow truck to get it to the mechanic
before they closed at 2, so I have to wait until Monday. Can they even tow
it if it's stuck in Park? I thought it would be nice if I could fix it
before then and save some money and annoyance.Any suggestions for a
mechanically-challenged person (that doesn't involve disassembling the car)?

Lynn Wigglesworth
Tioga Co. PA

Is it cold out, cold enough to have frozen some moisture in the brake lines? Is the parking brake on and frozen in place? The pedal not moving at all is an odd one, usually to pedal moves and nothing happens (a leak or bypassing the master cylinder). If it's cold and you could warm it up that MIGHT help.
FWIW getting the brake fluid changed every two years or so is a good idea just, brake fluid likes moisture and moisture will freeze and helps corrosion.
Not much help Lynn...




Rob
becida AT comcast.net




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