Why won't the Civic start despite having power, and why is the brake pedal hard to press?
4 Answers
Civic's brake pedal being hard to press and failure to start may be due to the driver pressing the brake several times after turning off the engine, causing the vacuum in the brake booster to disappear, making it difficult to press the brake pedal without assistance. Here are some precautions for using brakes: Avoid emergency braking at high speeds: While driving at low speeds, you can perform emergency braking when encountering sudden events ahead by stomping on the brake pedal. However, this should not be done at high speeds to prevent vehicle skidding or rollover. Gradual braking: During normal driving conditions, apply gradual braking by releasing the accelerator pedal while pressing the clutch pedal, shifting to a lower gear, and then pressing the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a complete stop after the speed has decreased. Intermittent braking: On long downhill slopes in mountainous areas or during continuous braking that easily generates high temperatures, intermittent braking—alternately pressing and releasing the brake pedal—can effectively prevent the braking system from overheating.
My Civic had the same issue last time - had power but wouldn't start, and the brake pedal was hard as a rock. This mainly happens because the brake booster system requires engine operation to function, losing vacuum assist when the engine isn't running. The failure to start could be due to starter motor problems, like worn carbon brushes or a stuck solenoid valve. Additionally, if the brake light switch is faulty, it can also prevent starting since many modern cars require pressing the brake pedal to start. I suggest trying to turn the key off and restart several times - sometimes it works. If that fails, you'll need to check the starter motor wiring and brake pedal position sensor, and it wouldn't hurt to inspect if the spark plugs have carbon buildup.
As a long-time Civic owner, if you encounter a situation where the brake pedal is hard to press and the engine won't start, don't immediately keep turning the key. The brake pedal becomes stiff because the engine isn't running, so the brake booster isn't creating vacuum. There are many possible reasons for failure to start: poor contact in the starter relay, worn ignition switch, or a faulty crankshaft position sensor. Also don't forget to check battery voltage - even if it shows charge, the starter may not engage properly below 11 volts. My usual approach is to repeatedly pump the brakes to release residual booster pressure, then shift to Park and attempt starting 4-5 times. If the security light on the dashboard is flashing, you should also consider potential issues with the key chip signal.
The Civic won't start but dashboard lights are on, and the brake pedal feels stiff - it's most likely a starting system issue. The brake booster requires engine vacuum, so it naturally becomes hard when the engine isn't running. Focus on three main checks: First, inspect if the starter motor is stuck (try gently tapping it with a wrench); second, verify if the gear position sensor is falsely reporting non-Park signals; third, test the brake switch signal as it controls the starting circuit. From my repair experience, I've seen many Civics experience wiring interference from aftermarket electronics - try unplugging your dashcam before attempting to start again.
