What Causes the Brakes to Suddenly Become Hard and Unable to Start?
4 Answers
The reasons why the brakes suddenly become hard and unable to start are as follows: 1. The brakes were pressed before the engine was turned off. The car's braking system works best when the engine is running, and the brake booster is the key component that amplifies the force applied to the brake pedal. When the engine is off, the brake booster stops functioning, and typically, pressing the brake pedal three times will deplete its remaining vacuum force. 2. The car's brake booster is leaking or malfunctioning. If you haven't pressed the brake pedal after turning off the car, or if you notice that the brake pedal is hard to press while driving, it is likely due to a faulty brake booster.
I once encountered a situation where the brakes were so hard that I couldn't press them, and even starting the engine didn't help, which was quite frustrating. This is most likely a problem with the brake booster system. The car's brake booster relies on vacuum to help you press the brake pedal easily. If the engine stalls or the vacuum booster pump fails, the vacuum is lost, making the brakes extremely hard. Additionally, some vacuum hose leaks can cause the same issue. Why couldn't the engine start? Because automatic transmission cars require you to press the brake as a safety mechanism before starting. If you can't press it, naturally, the engine won't start. I suggest first trying to restart the engine. If that doesn't work, check the vacuum booster pump and the connected hoses. If there are leaks or aging, replace them immediately. Never force the car to drive under these conditions—it's too risky. It's best to have a professional at a repair shop handle it. For prevention, regular vehicle maintenance and checking the brake system pipes can avoid such unexpected issues. Remember, safety first. If something feels wrong, pull over immediately.
I've been driving for over a decade and once experienced a situation where the brake pedal suddenly became rock hard and the car wouldn't start, leaving me flustered. The brake booster operates on vacuum pressure - the engine creates vacuum to assist your braking effort. If the engine isn't running or the vacuum pump fails, you lose power assist, making the pedal extremely stiff. The catch-22 here is that starting the engine requires pressing the brake pedal, but you can't press it when it's stuck. A simple self-check method: turn off the engine and pump the brakes several times - if the pedal gets progressively harder, your vacuum system might be faulty. Check vacuum lines for cracks or looseness. I've dealt with similar issues before - a minor vacuum pump repair fixed it. Call a tow truck to the repair shop immediately; don't delay when safety is at stake. Always pay attention to abnormal brake feedback to detect potential issues early.
Hard brakes preventing startup may be caused by a vacuum booster system failure. A faulty or leaking vacuum pump can make the brake pedal as hard as iron, preventing it from being pressed down. Since engine startup requires pressing the brake, this blocks the starting process. Simple check: Test the booster by pressing the brake after turning off the engine; leaks often occur at pipe connections. I suggest not forcing it and having a mechanic diagnose the issue.
