brakes frozen

ultmachine · 01-26-2007, 06:32 PM

When my car has been sitting outside for two days (temp ~10-15 degrees) and then I go to start it the brake pedal is "frozen", so I cant depress it to allow the engine to start. It takes A LOT of force to get the peddal down just a tiny bit so that the car will agree to start...immediately after starting though, the pedal feel is back to normal. My question is, is this normal? Does something in there actually freeze up?

6SpeedMan · 01-26-2007, 06:44 PM

it sounds like something an older car would do, I don't believe that the brake actually works when it's not running. Don't take my word for it though.

cm3rc · 01-26-2007, 06:45 PM

are your frrealz?!

ultmachine · 01-26-2007, 07:20 PM

yep

///Matt · 01-26-2007, 07:24 PM

Take it to the dealer. Tell them exactly what you've just posted.

It sounds like either the vacuum check valve for the brake booster, or the brake booster itself. it's not "freezing", it's just coincidence.

There is a bulletin about this.

Matt

kabhatti · 01-26-2007, 09:02 PM

Oh oh, my 325 does exactly what you've described....

ultmachine · 01-26-2007, 09:16 PM

Nice to know i'm not the only one, but I hope it isnt a problem lots of E90s end up having.

Fester · 01-26-2007, 09:24 PM

I experience that all the time in the morning or when the car is on my office's parking lot for several hours. I don't really press it too hard though and the car starts OK. Seems like it's a bad thing...Matt// you think this could be a safety hazard?

///Matt · 01-26-2007, 09:25 PM

... I don't think so, but in theory, yes. anything that's affecting the brakes could be a saftey hazard

windnsea00 · 01-26-2007, 09:39 PM

Did you push the pedal after you turned off the car the previous night?

///Matt · 01-26-2007, 10:00 PM

Windnsea,

I see where you are going with your question, but there is actually an issue with the E90 brake booster's losing vacuum reserve over night....

ultmachine · 01-26-2007, 10:21 PM

I guess that's (vacuum thing) what it could be. For me though, the reason I was wondering about the cold is that it's never happened before, because my car was always parked indoors where the temp never fell below 32, and if it ever was parked outside below 32 it was only for an hour or two at most. The first time it was parked overnight in very cold conditions (10-15 degrees) this happened. Maybe the cold aggrevates it?

And no, I didn't push the pedal after turning it off the previous night.

ultmachine · 01-26-2007, 10:27 PM

If it is the vacuum check valve, is that something that I can expect to get worse over time (possibly to the point where I wont be able to push the pedal down and start the car at all), or has that valve broken but nothing else "should" go wrong as a result...I ask because I'm currently at school and would like to have the car serviced at home where I bought it (several hours away)...do you think it'd be ok to just wait it out till I go home or will the car leave me stranded unable to start if this valve problem gets worse?

///Matt · 01-26-2007, 10:29 PM

should be ok to wait. you'll never be "unable" to push the pedal. It just might be really hard! =( but the car SHOULD be designed in such a way that you will ALWAYS be able to push hard enough to start the car.

Matt

Bazer · 01-29-2007, 02:21 PM

Any more info on this?

I'm having the same issue, brought it to the dealer and they did a complete brake system check. Found nothing.

It's annoying because I almost have to press it with both feet to be able to start the car! (not really exagerated

)

sbkim · 02-19-2007, 04:36 PM

My too - same thing. I can't press down on the brake in the morning but eventually starts... I have E92 335 coupe.

s4iscool · 02-19-2007, 05:24 PM

sucks they didnt resolve this on e92s

simnew · 02-19-2007, 06:27 PM

This is not a problem ! its expected behaviour. You didn't notice it on your last car as you almost certainly didn't have to press the brake pedal to start the car. When it starts then the vaccum is restored and produces the slight softness to the brake pedal as opposed to the hardness of the hydraulics

LEDZEP · 02-19-2007, 07:02 PM

///Matt ==> It sure is nice to have you here!

STE92VE · 02-19-2007, 07:05 PM

I always start my car with my foot on the brake pedal and with the MT, the clutch will be depressed as well. Must be lingering thoughts from those days of the Audi 5000 and their unexpected acceleration.

ultmachine · 02-19-2007, 09:22 PM

I took my car to the dealer and they said they found nothing wrong nor have they heard of this problem...they just offered to replace the brake fluid for free "for the heck of it".

marcimarc · 04-15-2007, 04:48 PM

How can I find the actual bulletin to take to my dealer?

01-26-2007, 06:32 PM	#1
ultmachine Private 5 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate, NY iTrader: (0)	brakes frozen When my car has been sitting outside for two days (temp ~10-15 degrees) and then I go to start it the brake pedal is "frozen", so I cant depress it to allow the engine to start. It takes A LOT of force to get the peddal down just a tiny bit so that the car will agree to start...immediately after starting though, the pedal feel is back to normal. My question is, is this normal? Does something in there actually freeze up?
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01-26-2007, 06:44 PM	#2
6SpeedMan Poor rich kid working 67 Rep 829 Posts Drives: 335i soon to be M3 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bellevue, Washington iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	it sounds like something an older car would do, I don't believe that the brake actually works when it's not running. Don't take my word for it though. __________________
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01-26-2007, 06:45 PM	#3
cm3rc Colonel 85 Rep 2,221 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ferndale MI iTrader: (8) Garage List 06 325i [0.00]	are your frrealz?! __________________ www.socale90.com
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01-26-2007, 07:20 PM	#4
ultmachine Private 5 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate, NY iTrader: (0)	yep
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01-26-2007, 07:24 PM	#5
///Matt United States Marine 318 Rep 2,748 Posts Drives: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Take it to the dealer. Tell them exactly what you've just posted. It sounds like either the vacuum check valve for the brake booster, or the brake booster itself. it's not "freezing", it's just coincidence. There is a bulletin about this. Matt
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01-26-2007, 09:02 PM	#6
kabhatti Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 325i Alpine White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pennsylvania USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325I [0.00]	Oh oh, my 325 does exactly what you've described.... __________________ Car handles so well, I always have to "stop short"
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01-26-2007, 09:16 PM	#7
ultmachine Private 5 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate, NY iTrader: (0)	Nice to know i'm not the only one, but I hope it isnt a problem lots of E90s end up having.
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01-26-2007, 09:24 PM	#8
Fester Major 27 Rep 1,129 Posts Drives: '13 Porsche 911 (991) 4S Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Silicon Valley, CA iTrader: (0)	I experience that all the time in the morning or when the car is on my office's parking lot for several hours. I don't really press it too hard though and the car starts OK. Seems like it's a bad thing...Matt// you think this could be a safety hazard? __________________ 2013 911 4S ...GT Silver/Espresso custom build w/ lots of options and all alphabets soup! 2007 335i Coupe ...TiAg/Grey custom build...Sold!
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01-26-2007, 09:25 PM	#9
///Matt United States Marine 318 Rep 2,748 Posts Drives: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	... I don't think so, but in theory, yes. anything that's affecting the brakes could be a saftey hazard
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01-26-2007, 09:39 PM	#10
windnsea00 Lieutenant 447 Rep 447 Posts Drives: M2 CS Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Did you push the pedal after you turned off the car the previous night? __________________ 2020 M2 CS AW 6-spd Previous M Cars: M2C, M2, F80 M3, E46 M3, Z3M Coupe, E36 M3...and some other fun rides.
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01-26-2007, 10:00 PM	#11
///Matt United States Marine 318 Rep 2,748 Posts Drives: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Windnsea, I see where you are going with your question, but there is actually an issue with the E90 brake booster's losing vacuum reserve over night....
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01-26-2007, 10:21 PM	#12
ultmachine Private 5 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate, NY iTrader: (0)	I guess that's (vacuum thing) what it could be. For me though, the reason I was wondering about the cold is that it's never happened before, because my car was always parked indoors where the temp never fell below 32, and if it ever was parked outside below 32 it was only for an hour or two at most. The first time it was parked overnight in very cold conditions (10-15 degrees) this happened. Maybe the cold aggrevates it? And no, I didn't push the pedal after turning it off the previous night.
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01-26-2007, 10:27 PM	#13
ultmachine Private 5 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate, NY iTrader: (0)	If it is the vacuum check valve, is that something that I can expect to get worse over time (possibly to the point where I wont be able to push the pedal down and start the car at all), or has that valve broken but nothing else "should" go wrong as a result...I ask because I'm currently at school and would like to have the car serviced at home where I bought it (several hours away)...do you think it'd be ok to just wait it out till I go home or will the car leave me stranded unable to start if this valve problem gets worse?
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01-26-2007, 10:29 PM	#14
///Matt United States Marine 318 Rep 2,748 Posts Drives: 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	should be ok to wait. you'll never be "unable" to push the pedal. It just might be really hard! =( but the car SHOULD be designed in such a way that you will ALWAYS be able to push hard enough to start the car. Matt
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01-29-2007, 02:21 PM	#15
Bazer New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Any more info on this? I'm having the same issue, brought it to the dealer and they did a complete brake system check. Found nothing. It's annoying because I almost have to press it with both feet to be able to start the car! (not really exagerated )
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02-19-2007, 04:36 PM	#16
sbkim Lieutenant 59 Rep 529 Posts Drives: 2021 X7 M50i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (0)	My too - same thing. I can't press down on the brake in the morning but eventually starts... I have E92 335 coupe.
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02-19-2007, 05:24 PM	#17
s4iscool Major 26 Rep 1,138 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Neccos iTrader: (2)	sucks they didnt resolve this on e92s
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02-19-2007, 06:27 PM	#18
simnew First Lieutenant 106 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 2018 440i GranCoupe MSport Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London iTrader: (0)	This is not a problem ! its expected behaviour. You didn't notice it on your last car as you almost certainly didn't have to press the brake pedal to start the car. When it starts then the vaccum is restored and produces the slight softness to the brake pedal as opposed to the hardness of the hydraulics
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02-19-2007, 07:02 PM	#19
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	///Matt ==> It sure is nice to have you here! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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02-19-2007, 07:05 PM	#20
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 216 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	I always start my car with my foot on the brake pedal and with the MT, the clutch will be depressed as well. Must be lingering thoughts from those days of the Audi 5000 and their unexpected acceleration. __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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02-19-2007, 09:22 PM	#21
ultmachine Private 5 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Upstate, NY iTrader: (0)	I took my car to the dealer and they said they found nothing wrong nor have they heard of this problem...they just offered to replace the brake fluid for free "for the heck of it".
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04-15-2007, 04:48 PM	#22
marcimarc New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Doylestown, PA iTrader: (0)	How can I find the actual bulletin to take to my dealer?
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