What Causes Hard Brakes and Failure to Start?
2 Answers
When a car fails to start, it means the engine cannot ignite, which can result in the brake pedal being difficult to press down. Another possible cause is a leak or malfunction in the vehicle's brake booster pump. Below are the reasons for hard brakes and failure to start: 1. The automotive braking system is a hydraulic system. To ensure the brake pads press firmly against the brake discs, significant force is required. Relying solely on human effort to apply this force is exhausting, and drivers with insufficient strength may find it impossible to press the pedal. Therefore, cars are equipped with a "vacuum booster" system in the braking mechanism. 2. Another potential reason is a leak or component failure in the vehicle's brake booster pump. Without the booster's assistance, the driver will feel that the brakes are very hard and require excessive effort to operate.
The brakes are stiff and the engine won't start, which I reckon is pretty common. From my experience, stiff brakes are usually caused by the vacuum booster system not working. This system relies on the vacuum suction generated by the engine to make the brakes easier to press. If the engine won't start, there's no vacuum, so the brakes naturally become very stiff. Most of the time, the engine not starting is due to a dead battery or loose connections, possibly caused by an aging battery or cold weather draining the power. Other possibilities include a faulty starter or ignition switch issues. My advice is not to force-start the car—it's quite dangerous. First, check the battery voltage or try jump-starting it. Regular maintenance checks on battery health and vacuum hose seals can prevent major issues. Oh, and there might also be misdiagnosed engine sensors, but the most common culprit is still electrical system problems.
