Brake Pedal Pushing Back

Kentuckiana · January 19, 2011

Hi

I'm a new member of the club who joined to ask for info/advice on a break problem I'm having. When I push the brake it kinda pushes back at me and isn't sharp. The pedal doesn't want to go down to the floor but stay up high kinda like when the engine is switched off. I daren't drive anything approaching fast at the moment as when I do break the car rolls forward a bit. It's seems to do it more when I'm reversing but still does it often when I'm moving forward. The brake fluid reservoir shows I'm not low on brake fluid.

There are other issues with the car such as some dents/scratches on the passenger door, no A/C (apparently that needs a new expensive starter?), the check engine light is on now more often than not, it's got around 160k mileage on the clock which when I bought it in 2007 had 105k miles. I doubt it's had it's 100k service change of timing belt and fluids. I don't know anything about cars or anything mechanical and know my record of putting the car in for a service is low, very low... Not by choice but by lack of money lol

Since I've had it I've had to pay to change the brake pads once(they were whistling), change the starter engine, change the suspension and tires, and more recently change the battery. When it's cold outside the car has been taking a few minutes of keeping the key turned to start up. That started happening pretty much straight after I changed the battery which was confirmed dead by AAA

I guess the point of all this I'm wondering if it's worth pursuing with this car? The problem is I can't afford another and my credit took a bad beating these past two years. Anyone know what I might want to check myself before going to a mechanic. Could it be something simple?

Thanks in advance

code58 · January 20, 2011

It sounds like you've lost vacuum to the power brake unit. Either the hose has a hole in it , has come off or you have a bad power brake booster. It could be a problem with the ABS (anti-lock brake system) but I think it's more likely the power brake booster.

Kentuckiana · January 21, 2011

I appreciate your comments. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and take it in. Not feeling confident to drive it isn't the way to go. I spoke with a mechanic this afternoon who done work on my car once before. He opened his own shop after working for Lexus for years and has a good reputation. When I described my problem he said he'd never seen or heard of a Lexus doing that but agreed with the possible problem/solution that I said I'd read online (your response :) )

Without seeing it he said it doesn't sound like it'll be a high end cost to repair but understandably couldn't give a ball park until he knew what was wrong with it.