Degree brake pedal can be pressed to start car...

LyriCeZ · 07-15-2007, 06:32 AM

-See post below if you don't understand what I am saying-

Has anyone noticed a difference in certain situations? For instansce... Whenever I park my car in my girlfriends underground parking garage I notice that my brake pedal doesn't let me push it in at all but I can still start the car. Unlike when I go to press it when I'm at home, I can press it all the way down as normal. But when parked underground I can move it say... 3 cm?

Anyone else experieced something like this? Does anyone know what might cause it? I kind of just noticed it a month or 2 ago.. I have had the car since April 11th...

SoYank · 07-15-2007, 06:56 AM

Maybe pushing is "break" pedal all the way down is normal but pushing a brake pedal all the way down is NOT. Maybe it broke.

LyriCeZ · 07-15-2007, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

Maybe pushing is "break" pedal all the way down is normal but pushing a brake pedal all the way down is NOT. Maybe it broke.

Corrected.. I just woke up at the time so you know.. not operating at 100%

.

I doubt it broke.. when I say pushing it all the way down I didn't mean to the floor. Let me clarify. What I am asking is has anyone noticed a difference in the degree that they are able to push on the brake pedal before starting the car?

If so, do you know why this happens?

BTW I have a steptronic...

RedGT3 · 07-15-2007, 07:54 AM

My car does the same thing.

LyriCeZ · 07-15-2007, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fll335

My car does the same thing.

Any reason for it you can think of? Do you have a steptronic?

BMW F22 · 07-15-2007, 12:36 PM

Im taking a shot here: notice how when you keep pressing on the brake pedal it always stiffens up (and stays soft if you dont step on it). Perhaps you stepped on the brake a few times while parking it without noticing.

Another thought might be that you probably spend only a few hours at your gf's house as oppose to your house which gives the car more time to "relax".

pinghung777 · 07-15-2007, 01:15 PM

My car does the same thing, but only when I leave the car park for more than 2 days.

Ninel · 07-15-2007, 01:41 PM

same thing happens with me (steptronic)
it can happen to me anywhere, doesnt matter if i park inside or outside

LyriCeZ · 07-15-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWE90

Im taking a shot here: notice how when you keep pressing on the brake pedal it always stiffens up (and stays soft if you dont step on it). Perhaps you stepped on the brake a few times while parking it without noticing.

Another thought might be that you probably spend only a few hours at your gf's house as oppose to your house which gives the car more time to "relax".

Hhhmm... maybe there's a chance I hit the brakes different at her place since I do have to park really close to a wall behind me.. but I usually stay there all weekend sometimes without moving my car for a day or more.. I would say that is the only difference.. but I notice that it only stiffens up at her place.. never happens to me when I park it outside or even in my own garage.. I guess it could be the day or more thing..

LyriCeZ · 07-15-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinghung777

My car does the same thing, but only when I leave the car park for more than 2 days.

I guess this actually might be the cause because I sometimes don't move it for more than 24 hours there.. good observation.

But I wonder why this would make a difference.. none of my other cars ever did it.. could it be a security feature?

RedGT3 · 07-15-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LyriCeZ

Any reason for it you can think of? Do you have a steptronic?

Yes Step

halB · 07-15-2007, 03:41 PM

Vacuum stored in the brake booster diminishes due to leakage over time, or after repeated brake application after engine is shut off, hence stiff brake pedal. It happpens in all the cars with vacuum brake boost, just that you probably didn't notice before because you didn't have to step on the brake to start the car before. (If the car is a manual you step on the clutch to start, not the brakes, so manual drivers probably won't notice that either.)

Dr_Dirt · 10-09-2007, 08:52 AM

My brake pedal just became stiff two days ago.
Usually I just rest my foot on the brake pedal when starting the car, yesterday it didn't start and then I had to use some force to push the pedal to allow it to start.

Now, one day later I had a long start this morning maybe 4-5secs before it started??? Thoughts of a bad fuel pump came to mind. Oh well...

Rando · 10-09-2007, 09:06 AM

I see what pinghung777 sees. If I leave the car for more than 2 days, the brake pedal is very stiff. Otherwise, it travels more. Either way, after the car starts, the brake pedal works just fine.

I hope this helps.

Bimmer335i · 12-06-2007, 06:03 PM

Same here. The stiffness felt more after an extended park. Particularly in the morning, when it was really stiff but the car starts in any case.

nagge · 12-06-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LyriCeZ

but I notice that it only stiffens up at her place..

On topic: My brake pedal behaves the same, would be nice to know why...

Taittinger · 12-06-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halB

Vacuum stored in the brake booster diminishes due to leakage over time, or after repeated brake application after engine is shut off, hence stiff brake pedal. It happpens in all the cars with vacuum brake boost, just that you probably didn't notice before because you didn't have to step on the brake to start the car before. (If the car is a manual you step on the clutch to start, not the brakes, so manual drivers probably won't notice that either.)

No, this happens to me as well but it is usually when I first start the car for the day, usually in the morning when I go to work so it has been sitting awhile. I do not pump the brake when the engine is not running and I have always had auto transmissions so it is not normal. It is only with the BMW that I have had this occur.

Lodaka · 12-06-2007, 08:47 PM

Yup, this happens to me as well. I thought it was a bit weird at first, but it never gave me any problems and it goes away after the car starts. So, I stopped worrying about it.

Taittinger · 12-06-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lodaka

Yup, this happens to me as well. I thought it was a bit weird at first, but it never gave me any problems and it goes away after the car starts. So, I stopped worrying about it.

Yep, I never had an issue with the brakes so now I just forget about it after I start the car.

AltecBX · 12-06-2007, 08:59 PM

The garage temp is much warmer, so less brake depress to get it started. If you start the car in a cooler area, like leaving your car overnight outside, you have to press it just a tad bit more.

Taittinger · 12-06-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltecBX

The garage temp is much warmer, so less brake depress to get it started. If you start the car in a cooler area, like leaving your car overnight outside, you have to press it just a tad bit more.

No, the car starts regardless of brake travel.

picus · 12-06-2007, 09:04 PM

Mine does it when it's cold.

07-15-2007, 06:32 AM	#1
LyriCeZ Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 06' E90 TS 325i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Degree brake pedal can be pressed to start car... -See post below if you don't understand what I am saying- Has anyone noticed a difference in certain situations? For instansce... Whenever I park my car in my girlfriends underground parking garage I notice that my brake pedal doesn't let me push it in at all but I can still start the car. Unlike when I go to press it when I'm at home, I can press it all the way down as normal. But when parked underground I can move it say... 3 cm? Anyone else experieced something like this? Does anyone know what might cause it? I kind of just noticed it a month or 2 ago.. I have had the car since April 11th... __________________ 2006 E90 325i - ZPP, ZSP(partial shocks/springs), 162's 18", License Plate PDC, L.U.X 4. Last edited by LyriCeZ; 07-15-2007 at 07:54 AM..
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07-15-2007, 06:56 AM	#2
SoYank Major General 571 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	Maybe pushing is "break" pedal all the way down is normal but pushing a brake pedal all the way down is NOT. Maybe it broke. __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
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07-15-2007, 07:54 AM	#4
RedGT3 Major 78 Rep 1,253 Posts Drives: .2 GT3/M3cs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (3)	My car does the same thing.
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07-15-2007, 12:36 PM	#6
BMW F22 Major General 3573 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	Im taking a shot here: notice how when you keep pressing on the brake pedal it always stiffens up (and stays soft if you dont step on it). Perhaps you stepped on the brake a few times while parking it without noticing. Another thought might be that you probably spend only a few hours at your gf's house as oppose to your house which gives the car more time to "relax".
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07-15-2007, 01:15 PM	#7
pinghung777 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 325I Join Date: May 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	My car does the same thing, but only when I leave the car park for more than 2 days.
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07-15-2007, 01:41 PM	#8
Ninel Private First Class 6 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Nothing yet Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: glendale, ca iTrader: (0)	same thing happens with me (steptronic) it can happen to me anywhere, doesnt matter if i park inside or outside
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07-15-2007, 03:41 PM	#12
halB Colonel 53 Rep 2,384 Posts Drives: W211 E350 4M MkV GTI 987.2 S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Just north of Toronto iTrader: (0)	Vacuum stored in the brake booster diminishes due to leakage over time, or after repeated brake application after engine is shut off, hence stiff brake pedal. It happpens in all the cars with vacuum brake boost, just that you probably didn't notice before because you didn't have to step on the brake to start the car before. (If the car is a manual you step on the clutch to start, not the brakes, so manual drivers probably won't notice that either.) __________________ 07 E93 335i - Returned at lease end 09 W211 E350 4Matic Avant Garde - Blk/Blk, AMG pkg w/18". Sport Susp. F1 Asym. Debadged. 09 MkV GTI w/Leather & 18" Huffs. F1 Asym 10 987.2 S w/Leather sport seat, Sport Chrono, 19" Carrera S II wheels
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10-09-2007, 08:52 AM	#13
Dr_Dirt Major 62 Rep 1,476 Posts Drives: E90 335i 6AT Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DFW iTrader: (1)	My brake pedal just became stiff two days ago. Usually I just rest my foot on the brake pedal when starting the car, yesterday it didn't start and then I had to use some force to push the pedal to allow it to start. Now, one day later I had a long start this morning maybe 4-5secs before it started??? Thoughts of a bad fuel pump came to mind. Oh well...
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10-09-2007, 09:06 AM	#14
Rando Lieutenant 52 Rep 487 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I see what pinghung777 sees. If I leave the car for more than 2 days, the brake pedal is very stiff. Otherwise, it travels more. Either way, after the car starts, the brake pedal works just fine. I hope this helps.
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12-06-2007, 06:03 PM	#15
Bimmer335i Major 49 Rep 1,353 Posts Drives: 07 Sparkling Graphite 335i Sed Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego, CA US iTrader: (0)	Same here. The stiffness felt more after an extended park. Particularly in the morning, when it was really stiff but the car starts in any case. __________________ Enjoy the ride!
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12-06-2007, 08:47 PM	#18
Lodaka Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (4)	Yup, this happens to me as well. I thought it was a bit weird at first, but it never gave me any problems and it goes away after the car starts. So, I stopped worrying about it.
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12-06-2007, 08:59 PM	#20
AltecBX Colonel 324 Rep 2,663 Posts Drives: BMW 335xi Sedan; BMW M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00] 2007 BMW 335Xi [0.00]	The garage temp is much warmer, so less brake depress to get it started. If you start the car in a cooler area, like leaving your car overnight outside, you have to press it just a tad bit more.
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12-06-2007, 09:04 PM	#22
picus Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Mine does it when it's cold.
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