Why won t my Toyota car engine start?

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• BMW
• Citroen
• Land Rover
• Mercedes Benz
• Porsche
• Peugeot
• SAAB
• VW
• Volvo
• Jiné značky

24.03.23

Tipy pro auta

Autor: admin

So, your brake pedal is stiff and the car won’t start. Brakes perform a critical safety function for your vehicle, allowing you to decelerate and to avoid or minimise impact in an emergency situation. But did you know that your brakes don’t just help you stop? If you drive a car with an automatic transmission, your brakes also play a key role in getting the engine started!

What does ‘Depress Brake To Start Engine’ mean?

In most automatic vehicles, you must press and hold the foot brake pedal before starting your ignition, either by key or by push-start button. This is a safety feature, with the brake pedal completing a circuit to allow the ignition to operate in order to prevent unintentional engine starts, such as if a child were playing in a car and pressed the start button. In many vehicles, the dashboard will display a ‘depress brake to start engine’ message on-screen if you attempt to start the car without the brake depressed.

Does the brake pedal have to depress to start the car?

For most automatic vehicles, yes, the brake pedal must be depressed to start your car. If the brake pedal is not pressed down, the ignition circuit will not be engaged, and no amount of turning your key or pressing the start button will get that engine started! That’s why a stiff brake pedal can make it tough to start your car.

Why is it important to push down on the brake pedal when starting the engine?

Even if you drive a vehicle that doesn’t require you to depress the brake to start the engine, doing so is good practice. It provides an extra layer of certainty that the vehicle will be stationary as the engine starts.

What does it feel like when car brakes fully depress?

When your brake pedal is operating effectively, it should feel a little stiff initially, only to soften and depress fully with minimal pressure once the engine starts.

3 reasons why your brake pedal is stiff and car won’t start

• Car immobiliser fob (often this is in your car keys) in the cabin of the vehicle?
• Steering wheel lock disengaged?
• Automatic transmission in ‘park’?
• Is the brake pedal free of obstructions (check that your car mat hasn’t folded under itself!)
• Petrol tank full?
• Battery flat? Check out the tell-tale signs that your car battery needs replacing.

Nedostatečný podtlak

Braking systems are vacuum-assisted. A vacuum diaphragm (or ‘brake booster’) essentially multiplies the force you apply to the pedal, allowing you to control your deceleration with ease. Vacuum is only generated when the engine is running, which is why your brake pedal always feels a ‘little’ bit hard when the engine is off, only to soften (or ‘puff’) as the car starts. If the pedal feels so hard that you can’t engage the engine, or continues to feel hard after the car starts, you may have a leak in your vacuum system.

Prasklá podtlaková hadice

If the brake pedal is stiff and you can hear a hissing sound, you may have a split in the vacuum hose that links the engine with the brake booster. Cracks tend to appear where the booster system connects with other components, so this can generally be identified through a quick visual check. Learn what to do if you’re hearing squeaks when you brake.

Zadřené brzdové třmeny

When you press down on the brake pedal, a signal is sent to your brake callipers, which in turn cause brake pads to clamp down on your vehicle’s rotors. If your brake pedal is stiff, both at the point of trying to start the engine and you’ve noticed a drop in braking performance, it’s possible that your brake calliper or calliper slides have seized, resulting in reduced braking power. This is more common in older vehicles, particularly if your car spends a lot of time by the coast, where salt air can contribute to rust damage in these smaller components. Sometimes, seized brake callipers can also result in shaking and shuddering. Learn more about how front and rear brakes work.

Don’t let stiff brakes put a stop to your driving plans

As leading technicians who specialise in prestige European car servicing and repairs, Cox Auto’s commitment to providing a premium service like you’ve never experienced before extends to brake servicing. If your brake pedal is stiff and your car won’t start, we’re here to help. Using the latest diagnostic equipment, our experienced technicians will conduct a comprehensive inspection of your car’s braking system components and can advise you on any necessary repairs or service items, ensuring the best possible car performance and safety.

We only use the most trusted brands, such as Bendix, for parts and all our work is backed by a 12-month or 20,000km guarantee. And as an official A.T.E Brake Centre, we offer high-quality, dustless ceramic brakes along with a 50,000km wear warranty. We also test and repair shock absorbers, in addition to carrying out brake fluid flushing of the entire braking hydraulic system, including the ABS controller pump.

So if your brake pedal is stiff and your car won’t start, or you’ve got niggling worries about your brakes, book a service today. We’ll assess the condition of your brakes and provide you honest, reliable advice on the best course of action.