Brakes stiff and accelerator pedal has sunk closer to floor?

2018 RENAULT CLIO
39,000 MILES • 0.9L • 4WD • MANUAL
Avatar
BETHM9
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello, my brake has suddenly become really stiff and hard, it also makes a loud pumping noise when I push it down.

The accelerator has also sunk about halfway down to where it was before, much closer to the ground, with little resistance and very flimsy, I can’t spot any major issues by eye, what could this be?
Feb 5, 2023 at 2:33 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
STRAILER
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,837 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Right off the bat it sounds like you have a clogged exhaust system. I would remove the exhaust pipe from the engine and start the engine up to see if the brake pedal and throttle response comes back. Does the car have any codes? It would be good if you could run the codes using a code scanner to see what comes up. Please let us know.
Feb 5, 2023 at 12:03 PM
Avatar
BORIS K
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 836 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hello,

I do not see a relation between the brake pedal becoming hard and the accelerator pedal being lower and having less feel.

The pedals are not linked, except that the accelerator pedal is bolted to the side of the brake pedal bracket. The accelerator pedal is an electronic pedal. See image below.
2 is the accelerator pedal and 5 is the brake pedal

A faulty brake booster or possibly faulty vacuum supply to the brake booster could cause the brake pedal issue. see image 2 below
Also check that the bracket which holds the brake and accelerator pedal is not loose or possibly broken.

See image 3 below for the accelerator pedal.

Cheers, Boris


Images (Click to enlarge)
Professional Diagram for 2CarPros Members
Click here to log in and view diagram.
Professional Diagram for 2CarPros Members
Click here to log in and view diagram.
Professional Diagram for 2CarPros Members
Click here to log in and view diagram.
Feb 6, 2023 at 8:44 AM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.