Honda Civic brake system problem: car won’t start
All the systems used to build modern cars are interconnected, causing problems up the chain when a part fails. It can often be quite confusing, such as when the Honda Civic brake problem prevents the engine from starting.
What is the Honda Civic brake system problem where the car won’t start?
The Honda Civic has a strange tendency to display tons of error messages when it won’t start. One of these notices mentions a problem with the braking system, although the cause is probably a dead battery.
In all model years, this problem is most likely to affect the 2016 Honda Civic. You can use this guide to learn everything you need to know about this problem and its most likely solution.
The link between the brakes and the starting system
I like push-to-start systems; you have to step on the brake pedal on the Honda Civic to get it going. If you don’t press the brake when you press the button, the car will only go into accessory mode.
This safety mechanism ensures that you are ready to drive the vehicle when you start it, but it can be problematic if parts begin to fail. If the brake pedal switch starts to go off, for example, it won’t tell the car that you’re hitting the brakes.
When this happens, the car refuses to start, leaving you wondering what’s going on. Most of the time, starting problems are related to a dead battery that causes the system to send a series of error messages in your direction. These errors could lead you to think that the problem is due to a bad brake switch when it is not.
What is the problem with the Honda Civic brake system that affects starting?
If the problem is related to a dead battery, as is often the case, your gauge cluster will display all of the error messages shown in the video above. If so, all your car needs is a new battery to start and run like new again.
Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy. Sometimes it is the fuse box that acts. Other times, it may be the brake switch. In fact, if the brake pedal feels stiff or difficult to press, the switch is likely broken.
You can have the car diagnosed at the dealership to see which of these problems it might be. They will start by checking the battery to see if it needs to be replaced. If it looks good, they can put in a test battery to confirm before proceeding to the next steps.
After that, they only need to follow the diagnostic steps for each suspicious system to narrow down the causes and find the culprit. Once this is done, simply replace the faulty part to restart your Civic.
Is it time to buy a Honda Civic? Check it with the vehicle history
If you plan to buy a Honda Civic in the near future, prepare for a series of test drives and inspections. In addition to these milestones, you’ll also want to partner with Vehicle History as you examine each car for sale.
You will only need the VIN or license plate number of your best options to use this system and discover any problems in the past. With an idea of the accidents, title issues, and other problems they have had, you can choose the best car for you.
