brakes hard after remote starter
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=117638
Printed Date: July 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Topic: brakes hard after remote starter
Posted By: s.snyder
Subject: brakes hard after remote starter
Date Posted: November 10, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Installed Viper 5701 on 2004 Explorer: Eddie Bauer. Everything works but now when I press the brakes, they are hard to push. I've had it to a Ford dealer and they are stumped. Everthing works on the remote starter relating to the brakes (car shuts off after brakes are applied when starter via remote). Short of disconnecting what I've done, I'm looking for more ideas.
Replies:
Posted By: 05gt
Date Posted: November 10, 2009 at 8:17 PM
disconnect the brake wire that you connected to the car and see if that corrects the issue i have never had an issue like this in my 6 years of installing someone else may chime in with some more info
Posted By: lspker
Date Posted: November 10, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Did you knock off the vaccum line to the brake booster when running the tach?
Posted By: s.snyder
Date Posted: November 10, 2009 at 10:16 PM
That's a negative. Is this common knowledge to do so? I didn't see anything relating to that info when researching installation instructoions. What would the removal of the hose do during the installation of the tach?
Posted By: s.snyder
Date Posted: November 10, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Nevermind that last post. Just started thinking of it more. Your thinking that there may be air in the brake lines?
Posted By: Mike M2
Date Posted: November 11, 2009 at 6:28 AM
He means there is a large hose going to the brake booster under the hood that comes from the motor. This is vacuum and makes the brakes work easier. Check it...
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Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services
Posted By: s.snyder
Date Posted: November 11, 2009 at 7:35 AM
Alright, still need to look at that vaccum hose but I really feel that I didn't touch that. I've looking for an accurate wiring diagram of the 2004 Ford Explorer. I want to compare something to the diagram I found originally. Can anyone post a link?
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: November 11, 2009 at 7:36 AM
With the engine not running, press the brake pedal, notice the feel. Now start the engine and press again. If it feels the same as it did with the engine not running, I too vote for the detached vacuum hose. Power brakes = Vacuum assisted brakes. No vacuum assist, no power brakes.
Posted By: s.snyder
Date Posted: November 11, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Found another diagram that matches what I used. Thanks Idiot... I've had the car off, pumped the brakes and noticed how hard it gets to push. I turn the car on and the brake pedal release and is easier to push (brake booster engaging I'm assuming). The problem lies in when I put the car in to drive, you notice the same hard feel as if the car is off and you've just pumped the brakes. I'm going to go back underneath and make sure that is nothing that is back feeding in to the control unit or the brakes... I still need to attempt to disconnect the brake wire to check if that resolves anything. Will post when I find something out.
Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: November 11, 2009 at 9:04 AM
The brake wire controls the brake lights - I've never seen a car that had any sort of feedback when you push the brakes that made something work. If the problem is electrical - I would check to make sure your ignitions and accessory circuits are powered correctly. It sounds like the problem occurs either when you remote start or start with key? If that is the case, then more then likely there is something wrong with the brake system of the car. Possibly a detached vacuum line. :) ------------- Kevin Pierson
Posted By: s.snyder
Date Posted: November 11, 2009 at 9:07 AM
the only reason I'm leaning away from the detached vaccum line is that the car was in the Ford Dealership getting looked at. I'm making the assumption that their technicians would have found that. They said that all mechanical systems tested fine. I will double check the line though, thanks Pierson.
Posted By: Chris Luongo
Date Posted: November 11, 2009 at 9:18 AM
I like the idea the others have of the detached vaccuum line. I know it's already been said, but carefully go over where you ran your wires through the firewall......not sure if you have a siren and/or hoodpin, but pretty much, go over EVERWHERE you worked under the hood. Also inside the car at the point where you ran the wires through.
I know those Explorers are very tight under the dash and don't have a lot of open space. I'm sure you already thought of this, but check that your remote start brain, bypass module, zip ties and so forth.....check that none of them are impeding the movement of the brake pedal.
Also, at least on some Fords, the brake pedal switch moves around with the pedal. Wherever you hooked up your brake wire, make sure the wire's not so tight that it's getting stretched when you step on the pedal.
But, the way you're describing it, sounds like the brake system is losing boost for whatever reason.
Another idea: Leaking vaccuum lines should make noise, I would think.
Start the car, let it run long enough that your power brakes begin to work again. Turn car off and listen for any hissing or leaking sounds.
Posted By: s.snyder
Date Posted: November 11, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Alright... I'am a pet monkey and I'll be the first to admit. While the main control unit was completly clear of the brake... the bypass was not. I forgot that a bypass was installed but to my defense, I did not do the installation. The bypass was behind the brake stopping it from being pressed all the way. Point the blame fingers at me... Thanks for everyone's responses.
Posted By: tedmond
Date Posted: November 12, 2009 at 6:20 AM
good to know you got it all figured out, a bypass behind the brake is definitly something that needed to be fixed.
Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: November 12, 2009 at 6:53 AM
tedmond wrote:
good to know you got it all figured out, a bypass behind the brake is definitly something that needed to be fixed.
^^^^^^ Who is this guy? ------------- Kevin Pierson
Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: November 13, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Ohhh my! I have now heard just about everything........ Glad it fingered out..... not to safe with a bypass module preventing you from using the brakes -------------
Posted By: howie ll
Date Posted: November 13, 2009 at 2:35 AM
Side issue on things where they shouldn't be, I've just done a couple of Fiat Iveco trucks, brand new. These are what will probably replace the Dodge Sprinter next year, so ypu have been warned. The first one had the ign feeds to the right of the column the second to the left, the second had the radio antenna lead trapped around the brake pedal, the dash board a right PITA uses 3mm hex head, no2 and no3 Phillips and T20. Steering column shroud screws, all non-magnetic, great when your in a truck. YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WARNED, WAIT TILL YOU GET FIATS BRANDED CHRYSLER
Posted By: jim hunter
Date Posted: November 13, 2009 at 9:03 AM
amazing after dealer techs try to blame aftermarket for every little flaw/defect that the tech didnt check the brake pedal and tell you thatthe bypass was in the way! hell ive had dealer techs blame us for tire going flat saying "it didnt go flat before you worked on it" knowing thatthey dont get oaid much for diagnostic and knowing if they blame us most times not only willwe show them its not us but we will try to find their problem to prove it wasnt us LOL
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