Why can't the Civic's brake be pressed down and the car won't start?
3 Answers
Civic's brake can't be pressed down and the car won't start possibly because the owner stepped on the brake several times after turning off the engine, causing the vacuum in the brake booster pump to disappear. Without the booster's assistance, it becomes difficult to press the brake pedal. Here are some precautions for using the brakes: Avoid emergency braking at high speeds: When driving at low speeds, you can perform emergency braking if there is a sudden event ahead by stepping hard on the brake pedal. However, this should not be done at high speeds to prevent the vehicle from skidding or rolling over. Gradual braking: Under normal road conditions, you can brake gradually. While pressing the clutch pedal, release the accelerator pedal, shift to a lower gear, and after the speed decreases, lift the clutch pedal and press the brake pedal until the car stops.
I just experienced this situation! When the Civic's brakes are hard to press and the car won't start, it's almost certainly because the battery is completely dead. When the engine isn't running, the brake assist relies on the vacuum pump, but the electronic power steering pump needs power from the battery. If the battery is completely drained, the brakes will become as hard as a rock. At the same time, the starter also requires a large current from the battery to operate; if there's insufficient power, you'll hear clicking sounds or get no response at all. Don’t forget to check if the battery terminals are loose or corroded—last month, my issue was due to a loose screw causing poor contact. If the car starts normally after a jump but the dashboard shows various warning lights flashing randomly, it means the vehicle's computer needs to relearn due to the power loss. Driving a few kilometers should reset it. It's a good idea to keep an emergency power supply in the car just in case.
This combination of issues is most likely a chain reaction caused by a power system failure. The Civic's brake assist relies on an electronically controlled vacuum pump, which fails when the battery is low, resulting in a stiff brake pedal. If the dashboard lights flicker but the starter shows no response when attempting to ignite, it indicates the battery lacks sufficient output power to drive the starter motor. It is recommended to first seek a jump-start, ensuring to connect the positive terminal before the negative. If the car starts after the jump but the steering wheel is locked, gently turning it left and right while turning the key should unlock it. Key checks include verifying whether the battery life has exceeded three years or if the headlights were left on recently, causing the battery to drain.
