Hard brakes means won't crank?

[HankJr]

I walked out of grocery store and when I depressed the brake pedal (I may have depressed and released honestly...) it would hardly go down at all. When I tried to start I got no ignition sequence, no clicks, bit all the accessories did come on. Tried it several times, no joy. Googled "stiff brake pedal won't crank" and saw several people said if vacuum was gone and brake wouldn't move it won't start, press harder. I pressed as hard as I dared, nothing. Then I read where someone said leave it alone for awhile, the brake will eventually let go and you can depress and crank. Anyone ever have this issue? IF so, if you waited, how long do I need to consider waiting? I just walked about 30 minutes home, where I could get wife car and drive back. Suggestions? Thanks!

UPDATE - started after sitting about half hour and brake pedal could be depressed. Going to get Dealer to check them out.

 

[dblplay1212]

What's the point of it not cranking if you press the brakes too hard?

 

[stumblinhorse]

What's the point of it not cranking if you press the brakes too hard?

That is backwards. If you can’t depress the brake far enough it won’t start.

If you mess with the pedal it becomes too hard to depress. So no start

 

[dblplay1212]

That is backwards. If you can’t depress the brake far enough it won’t start.

If you mess with the pedal it becomes too hard to depress. So no start

Ahhh that makes sense. I was thinking the brake was pressed too hard and it wouldn't crank, but it's more pumping them until the pedal gets too hard to press. That makes way more sense lol.

 

[HankJr]

Try using your remote start, it will take the brake pedal out of the starting process..

well, that really makes a guy feel...67.
That falls under the "intuitively obvious to the most casual observer"...
Thanks. It cranked when I went back and brake pedal would go down. But exhibited brake pedal hardness after I shut it off and came back 5 minutes later. Thinking Dealer needs to check out brakes.

 

[JeepOwner392]

well, that really makes a guy feel...67.
That falls under the "intuitively obvious to the most casual observer"...
Thanks. It cranked when I went back and brake pedal would go down. But exhibited brake pedal hardness after I shut it off and came back 5 minutes later. Thinking Dealer needs to check out brakes.

Hey HankJr, let’s know what you find out from the dealer, just to hear what they tell ya.

 

[HankJr]

Hey HankJr, let’s know what you find out from the dealer, just to hear what they tell ya.

I will, headed out of town for football game in the am. No issues with it today. Very odd...

 

[thebrave]

This happens to me when I don't drive it for 3-5 days at a time. Brake is stiff and can barely put pressure on it, but it fires up regardless. The pedal softens up as the engine starts to run.

 

[Jeepstin392]

I haven’t looked at the switch in the jeep. I wonder if it has a intact switch that the brake lever presses?
With my Land Rover, you can manually press the switch with your finger and still start the vehicle.

 

[HankJr]

I haven’t looked at the switch in the jeep. I wonder if it has a intact switch that the brake lever presses?
With my Land Rover, you can manually press the switch with your finger and still start the vehicle.

Thanks! Definitely worth a peek when I get home!

 

[BenLandry]

This happens to me when I don't drive it for 3-5 days at a time. Brake is stiff and can barely put pressure on it, but it fires up regardless. The pedal softens up as the engine starts to run.

Same here, it’s pretty much always stiff when I start it after a day or 2. It releases as soon as it cranks.

 

[Jeepstin392]

Same here, it’s pretty much always stiff when I start it after a day or 2. It releases as soon as it cranks.

I leave mine parked for about a week on a regular basis and haven’t had this issue. Everything is normal when I get back in it and start right up. No brake issues.

 

[FccinAZ]

I notice this as well. It’s not my daily driver and after 2-3 days, the brake pedal barely goes down, but it always starts. I guess I have to drive it more

 

[BarneyM]

We’re in the same boat up here as ours sits a week at a time with no issues with brake pedal after sitting...

Had the same problem in a Audi I had (very common problem). The problem is the check valve in the vacuum line to the brake booster will leak over a period of time and the power brake booster has no vacuum to operate. As soon as the engine starts and the vacuum builds the problem goes away, until the next time! Sounds like a recall coming?