Brakes fail when engine goes off

dev · 4th August 2005, 13:28

Dear Bhpians,
Good day..

I have Ford Ikon CLXI (1.3L) make in 2001 (This is s used vehiclle which I have)
Problem:
When the engine goes off, brakes are not working.. is it normal? or is it a mechanical fault.. I don't want it to happen..

This I noticed when I am reversing my vehicle on to the ramp and when I am at the middle of the ramp, engine got stopped. (This is my fault, cannot control reversing, still learning). And on free flow, it came front and I thought I can stop it. But brakes did not operated.. it became very hard and even though I pressed hard, it is of no use... Luckily some stones stopped the vehicle...

I am assuming, when engine stops, brakes won't operate... this is normal behaviour..
Is there anyting I am missing? What happens in ghat sections and suddenly engine stops and how to apply brakes?
There is a way of using hand brakes, or keeping in gear ... but on that tense moment, it won't strike and we keep concentrating on brakes..
Any ideas ?
thank you.

Psycho · 4th August 2005, 14:04

The brake booster uses vaccum to assist braking. when an engine goes off the vaccum is lost and the booster does not work hence the loss of brakes.

There is a easy solution to the problem ... you will need to add a good oneway checkvalve on the brake hose and seal it well so that it does not leak vaccum... once this is done it should help the brakes.

However in the cases of slopes and you engine being off it is better to use the hand brakes as they are cable operated and are independent of the regular brakes.

Rtech · 4th August 2005, 14:21

It's incorrect to say the brakes stop working when the engine is turned off. They don't stop working, but the pedal becomes hard and you require a lot more effort to get the same braking effect. Basically your "power assist" for the brakes is no longer available (Psycho has explained the reason why this happen's), but your brakes surely work, just press harder.

Similarly when your engine is off, your steering becomes a lot stiffer and harer to turn as the powersteering pump is no longer functioning. But you can still steer.

typeOnegative · 4th August 2005, 14:36

Both RTech and Psycho are correct. Please get your vehicle checked pronto if their suggestions do not work. It can become extremely dangerous. Also practice using the gears for braking ... just in case.

dev · 4th August 2005, 14:43

Thanks for responding ...

Psycho,
How much it will cost to do that? Any good mechanics in BLR who can do that?

And I observed some noice in the vehicle... When a person sits into the car, it sounds ..... recently Under Chasis paint is applied.. Any reason?
Thank you

Psycho · 4th August 2005, 15:22

Can be done here in BLR drop me a line at 98440 69863... as for the sound I do not have a clue till I take a look at it.

4th August 2005, 13:28	#1
dev BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR Posts: 109 Thanked: Once	Brakes fail when engine goes off Dear Bhpians, Good day.. I have Ford Ikon CLXI (1.3L) make in 2001 (This is s used vehiclle which I have) Problem: When the engine goes off, brakes are not working.. is it normal? or is it a mechanical fault.. I don't want it to happen.. This I noticed when I am reversing my vehicle on to the ramp and when I am at the middle of the ramp, engine got stopped. (This is my fault, cannot control reversing, still learning). And on free flow, it came front and I thought I can stop it. But brakes did not operated.. it became very hard and even though I pressed hard, it is of no use... Luckily some stones stopped the vehicle... I am assuming, when engine stops, brakes won't operate... this is normal behaviour.. Is there anyting I am missing? What happens in ghat sections and suddenly engine stops and how to apply brakes? There is a way of using hand brakes, or keeping in gear ... but on that tense moment, it won't strike and we keep concentrating on brakes.. Any ideas ? thank you.
	() Thanks

4th August 2005, 14:04	#2
Psycho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,043 Thanked: 110 Times View My Garage	The brake booster uses vaccum to assist braking. when an engine goes off the vaccum is lost and the booster does not work hence the loss of brakes. There is a easy solution to the problem ... you will need to add a good oneway checkvalve on the brake hose and seal it well so that it does not leak vaccum... once this is done it should help the brakes. However in the cases of slopes and you engine being off it is better to use the hand brakes as they are cable operated and are independent of the regular brakes.
	() Thanks

4th August 2005, 14:21	#3
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	It's incorrect to say the brakes stop working when the engine is turned off. They don't stop working, but the pedal becomes hard and you require a lot more effort to get the same braking effect. Basically your "power assist" for the brakes is no longer available (Psycho has explained the reason why this happen's), but your brakes surely work, just press harder. Similarly when your engine is off, your steering becomes a lot stiffer and harer to turn as the powersteering pump is no longer functioning. But you can still steer.
	() Thanks

4th August 2005, 14:36	#4
typeOnegative Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vikhroli, Mumbai, India Posts: 1,503 Thanked: 27 Times	Both RTech and Psycho are correct. Please get your vehicle checked pronto if their suggestions do not work. It can become extremely dangerous. Also practice using the gears for braking ... just in case.
	() Thanks

4th August 2005, 14:43	#5
dev BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR Posts: 109 Thanked: Once	Thanks for responding ... Psycho, How much it will cost to do that? Any good mechanics in BLR who can do that? And I observed some noice in the vehicle... When a person sits into the car, it sounds ..... recently Under Chasis paint is applied.. Any reason? Thank you
	() Thanks

4th August 2005, 15:22	#6
Psycho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,043 Thanked: 110 Times View My Garage	Can be done here in BLR drop me a line at 98440 69863... as for the sound I do not have a clue till I take a look at it.
	() Thanks