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How come my brake pedal is stiff and my car won’t start?
I went to drive myself to school the other day and I noticed my brake pedal kept locking. When I tried to turn on the ignition the next day, my car wouldn’t start at all. How come my brake pedal is stiff and my car won’t start?
Kara Vanderbeek · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no! There are a few reasons your brake pedal may be stiff and your car isn’t starting. Let’s go over them to find out what might be the culprit!
- An exhausted brake vacuum: In newer vehicles, the power assist function relies on a brake vacuum to function properly. Unfortunately, the brake vacuum can go stiff if you’ve been pushing on the brake without the engine running.
- A damaged ignition switch: If you drive an older vehicle, your ignition switch may be damaged. If you notice flickering dashboard lights, slow cranking in the engine, and broken brake lights, you’re probably dealing with a faulty switch.
- A faulty starter cable: In some cases, your brakes can lock if your starter cable becomes disconnected from the battery. If this occurs, you’ll also hear loud clicking sounds when you turn the key in your ignition.
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