Firm brake pedal on startup

[Limited59]

Have been experiencing a hard/firm brake pedal on startup (push button start) about once every three cold startups. I haven't noticed any issue with actual braking and the issue doesn't arise if started warm. No brake warning lights or anything. Once started all is well.

 

Keeping in mind I'm usually about a week between startups.

 

Has anyone else experienced this at all? There are no apparent external leaks and the reservoir is at normal level.

 

I don't know enough about the modern braking system to know if there could be a problem. As my closest dealer is two hours away and is not open on weekends, I will probably just keep driving it until a light comes on unless someone knows why I might be having this 'issue'.

[akirby]

If it works normally after starting it's probably ok. A leak would leave a soft pedal, not a hard pedal.

[teknowiz]

My Mkx does same, dealer says its normal but mine gets hard if veichle is not driven for only 2 days.

[ls973800]

Mine with the push start also gets a hard pedal when pushing it while starting if the car sits for several days. It immediately returns to normal upon starting, and doesn't do it again unless it sits for a few more days without starting.

 

I figure it is just the air leaking out of the booster.

[Limited59]

Thanks for the feedback, all.

 

I thought I'd ask because I don't believe I ever experienced this with my Edge in the time I owned it.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

I'd suspect the brake booster as well.

[omar302]

What WWWPerfA_ZN0W said. It might be the brake booster not holding vacuum due to a leak. But if it's after 2 days, you should be fine. When my booster was failing, the hard pedal came after 2-3 hours of turning off the car and kept decreasing until the hard pedal came even while driving. Replaced under warranty.

[Limited59]

I will begin to suspect impending part failure when the pedal is hard at every startup (after it's been sitting for days).

[akirby]

Forgot about the brake booster issue. I agree if it's several days later it's probably nothing to worry about.

[omar302]

By the way, the Booster is covered by an extended warranty, 10-years or 150K miles.

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/13888-13n02-extended-warranty-coverage-on-brake-booster/?do=findComment&comment=107538

[Wesley]

Hmm, my 08 Edge booster failed at 63,000 miles. Quick failure, no significant warning. Within 3 days, the pedal went from normal to hard accompanied by a hissing noise. On the good side, it was a three hour job. It looks harder than it is.

[Limited59]

^ thanks. If I notice any change in the brake pedal feel while the vehicle is running I will certainly have it checked out.

 

You probably wouldn't have noticed a firm pedal at startup to correlate with booster failure since your 08 wouldn't have required you to hit the brakes in order to start the car.