@mollusc I will keep testing as noted. Although I am wondering if a failed CLD solenoid is keeping me locked out. Found this video and a few other threads on the site talking about this. At this point Im looking at all solutions and will keep to pair down the issue. Wondering if I can just disconnect it would have any effect if the actually solenoid was bad.

 

I believe that solenoid just stops you from shifting the CDL when you're in a drive gear. It shouldn't affect the motion of the vehicle.

 

Been reading thru some more threads and apparently my 2004 does not have the CDL solenoid on the case. From what I read in 2004 the solenoid lockout moved to the CDL selector.

Ive yet to confirm this but perhaps someone else will chime in.

I have also noticed that my e-brake lever has gone limp and no resistance when being engaged. Perhaps possibly some sort of e-brake lockup or just coincidence. Who knows?

Ill be removing the drive shafts next as suggested. Will keep reporting back.

 

The vehicle drove and the emgerency brake worked before you power washed it right? Did you set emgerency brake after washing it? Sounds like your emgerency brake shoes got wet, rusted and now they're froze to drum. Especially, if you set it while wet and didn't drive it for a few days.

 

^^^^
This is exactly why I've said several times to check that the parking brake is actually releasing. The OP hasn't taken that hint yet though.

And I had missed that the truck is a 2004. Yes, it does not have that solenoid, and has one on the shifter lever instead. In either case, the solenoid only prevents movement of the lever while in a drive gear; it doesn't have anything to do with whether the vehicle moves or not. (I already said this.)

 

Thank you for the replies. @mollusc & @The Deputy

This is all starting to make sense to me now. I did note that Mollusc mentioned the parking brake previously but it never really registered to me since my car would normally be able to pull away on a fully engaged parking brake. A totally different result if it was seized to the drum apparently. I also was always under the impression that the parking brakes were part of the rear wheel assembly which when lifted were spinning freely. Surprise surprise the DISCO has a parking brake in the drive line! Still learning more about this car every day (especially while under repair).

Ill try and give the parking brake drum a few bangs with a hammer and see if the cars situation changes. Do you have any other suggestions on how to possibly free up a seized parking brake?

 

You might be able to try to manually rotate the rear driveshaft (put the transfer case in range neutral) and observe whether or not the parking brake drum is turning at all. Even a little bit of drum rotation should be an indication that it's not stuck.

 

Yay!!! My car is now back in motion.

As suggested it was a seized parking brake. I gave it about a dozen good whacks with a hammer and like magic the car can now move freely. Amazing how this one component can lockup the cars drivetrain. I would have thought that any forward or reverse motion would have broke something like that free.

Lesson learned that after a good soaking it's probably best to leave the handbrake disengaged.

Now on to replace my failing starter. Ughhhhh.