Brake Paddle Won't Depress
11-26-17, 04:37 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Brake Paddle Won't Depress
When my car sits in the garage over night, my brake paddle won't go down; it's very stiff. This causes the car not to start. When I press the start button, a message says depress the brake. Any ideals for how to fix this?
-Al
-Al
11-26-17, 05:53 PM
#2
Easy thing would be to do a brake flush. How old is the fluid?
The only other components to check would the the brake master cylinder and the brake booster. The brake booster is what operates off of engine vacuum to assist with braking power, and is why once the engine starts the pedal is a lot easier to press.
My guess would be something to do with the brake booster.
The only other components to check would the the brake master cylinder and the brake booster. The brake booster is what operates off of engine vacuum to assist with braking power, and is why once the engine starts the pedal is a lot easier to press.
My guess would be something to do with the brake booster.
11-26-17, 08:03 PM
#5
Does someone else drive your vehicle? It could be someone is pumping the brake when the vehicle is off? It can cause a stiff brake pedal feeling. You may need to use a more than normal pressure to step on the brakes to start the car.
11-26-17, 09:34 PM
#6
Just FYI:
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...-brake-booster
My guess is that there's a vacuum leak in the brake booster that leaks the vacuum stored when you turn the engine off. That vacuum in most cases should remain so you can depress it a few more times later, and also depress it to start the car.
If it's so stiff that it's difficult to press to start the car then it probably has lost all vacuum overnight.
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...-brake-booster
Since most vehicles use a vacuum system, the brake booster can be tested at your home. With the engine off, pump the brakes several times, about five or six times is sufficient. This depletes the stores vacuum. Turn the engine on while pushing down lightly on the brake pedal. If your brake booster is working normally, the pedal will fall away a little bit but then become firm. If your brake booster is not working correctly, then nothing will happen, or the brake pedal will push back against your foot, once the engine starts. This could be a sign of a brake booster problem or an issue with the vacuum hose.
If it's so stiff that it's difficult to press to start the car then it probably has lost all vacuum overnight.
11-28-17, 04:48 PM
#7
Yup sounds like a brake booster its that big black round drum looking thing behind the master cylinder. Its got a big vacuum line pull that out and make sure theres vacuum. If theres vacuum then most likely its the booster. If there isnt a vacuum maybe a leak or the one way valve is damaged.
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