Gladiator won’t start after sitting for two days.

[flynhome]

After not driving vehicle for two days or more, upon pushing start button;
nothing, acts like dead battery. Note that the brake pedal is very hard to depress. Checked battery, 12.7 volts If I wait 15 minutes vehicle starts immediately. My thought is because initially I am unable to depress the brake pedal down this causes the problem. Does this make sense? Question is what causes brake pedal to be rigid.

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[ShadowsPapa]

After not driving vehicle for two days or more, upon pushing start button;
nothing, acts like dead battery. Note that the brake pedal is very hard to depress. Checked battery, 12.7 volts If I wait 15 minutes vehicle starts immediately. My thought is because initially I am unable to depress the brake pedal down this causes the problem. Does this make sense? Question is what causes brake pedal to be rigid.

Loss of vacuum. Likely a leak at the check valve in the booster.
If you press the brake pedal REALLY REALLY HARD, can you get it to start?

 

[flynhome]

Loss of vacuum. Likely a leak at the check valve in the booster.
If you press the brake pedal REALLY REALLY HARD, can you get it to start?

I have pushed quite hard or a least as hard as I dare without causing other issues

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You won't break anything............. unless.............

 

[Jteakus]

Bill has gone "all in" on the color green.

 

[Hootbro]

Gladiator uses an electric vacuum pump to build vacuum. Even off, the brake booster still should retain vacuum for a couple pumps unless as @ShadowsPapa mentioned, the check valve or booster is leaking.

As to the brake switch, it is actually a three wire brake pedal travel sensor rheostat that sends the brake signal through the ABS module and out onto CAN bus for the BCM, PCM and RFH use for the start circuit.

The stop lamps use the same brake pedal travel sensor circuit. If your brake lamps are coming on, then that brake pedal travel circuit is fine and would look elsewhere in the start circuit. IMHO, the brake booster pressure is a secondary concern.

 

[Jteakus]

@Hootbro, I haven't seen a Cylon since the late 70's

 

[gonemad]

My 2024 did this once with just 6000 on the clock.

I just mashed the snot out of the brake pedal, that didn’t want to be mashed, with my size 14 wide clodhoppers, and it fired right up.

It might have done this another time or two.

Just mash it. Mash it good.

 

[Lost1wing]

So now you need to find your vacuum leak!

 

[Hootbro]

Any update @flynhome ?

 

[Lost1wing]

Any update @flynhome ?

He must have got it started and is driving now.

 

[flynhome]

He must have got it started and is driving now.

He must have got it started and is driving now.

yep,started right up this morning, only have the issue if vehicle isn’t driven for two days or more. Almost due for service will address problem with dealer at that time. Thanks for all the response.

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