What Causes the Car Not to Start and the Brake Pedal to Be Hard to Press?
4 Answers
The reasons why the car won't start and the brake pedal is hard to press are: 1. The owner stepped on the brake several times after turning off the engine, causing the vacuum in the brake booster pump to disappear; 2. The booster pump is not working when the engine is off. In this case, try to restart the engine and press the brake pedal firmly. After starting, it should return to normal. If the above methods fail to restore normal operation, find a nearby repair shop to clear the fault before continuing to drive. When driving at low speed and encountering an emergency ahead, you can perform emergency braking by stepping on the brake pedal firmly. However, this should not be done at high speeds to avoid vehicle skidding or rollover.
This problem is really frustrating. Last time my car had the same issue—the engine wouldn't start, and the brakes were rock hard. The root cause is that when the engine fails to start, the vacuum booster can't generate vacuum to assist braking, so the pedal becomes stiff. Additionally, failure to start is usually due to a dead battery, which could be from aging or insufficient charging, or possibly a faulty starter motor or clogged fuel lines. Battery issues are more common in winter. If the key won't turn or you only hear clicking sounds, check the battery voltage. It's advised not to force-start the engine repeatedly to avoid damaging components. First, inspect the battery connections or try a jump-start. If that doesn’t work, call a tow truck to take it to a professional repair shop. Remember, safety first—don’t risk driving it on the road.
I've encountered a similar situation where the car wouldn't start, and the brake pedal was as hard as a rock. The main reason is that once the engine stops, the vacuum booster fails, and the brakes lose their power assistance. The failure to start could stem from a depleted battery or poor contact, or it might be due to a faulty alternator or ignition coil issues. These chain reactions can cause the entire system to fail. I've tried troubleshooting myself by using a multimeter to check if the voltage is normal—sometimes, just tightening the loose battery terminals can fix the problem. The key is to maintain the battery properly in daily use and avoid leaving it unused for too long. If repairs are needed, start with the basics, like checking the fuses or asking a friend to help push-start the car. If the issue persists, take it to a repair shop promptly for a thorough inspection of the wiring.
This issue is common in cold weather. I encountered it soon after I started driving—the car wouldn't start, and the brake pedal was hard to press, which was really scary. The reason is that when the engine isn't running, the vacuum pump doesn't work, making the brake pedal stiff, which is normal. Failure to start is mainly due to battery issues, possibly because it's dead or severely aged. Other factors like a clogged fuel filter or a faulty starter could also be the cause. I later bought a car jump starter to keep as a backup, which works well in emergencies. My advice is not to panic—try gently pressing the brake pedal a few times first. If that doesn’t work, call for assistance.
