Low brake power light, RX not starting?
#106
I got the software update during my oil change. All it does was to eliminate the "low break power" message. It did not fix the brake booster losing vacuum issue. What a disappointment. My brake is still hard if i leave it parked overnight.
#107
Driver School Candidate
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Brake power is low, stop in a safe place
Just had the warning this morning. My odo 6,060 for my RX350 2017.
I haven't driven it for over 7days. It sits protected from the element under roof but at a slight incline. The brake pedal cannot be pressed down and the car will not start, or rather it sounds like solenoid clicks. A warning light indicates " "Braking Power Low Stop in a Safe Place See Owner' s Manual". My first thought was my battery had to be low because it wasn't engaging the starter (clicking sound). but the stiff brake pedal was what was throwing me. I turned off the car and stepped on the brake to see how it felt and it was stiff. I turn on the car, the warning light indicating the same, i press start and the same clicking sound. I went through several cycles of stepping on the brake and starting and about the 5th try my car started.
I got to work and looked up the issue online and ran across almost the same problem, here is the full text:
Sep 242017
I haven't driven it for over 7days. It sits protected from the element under roof but at a slight incline. The brake pedal cannot be pressed down and the car will not start, or rather it sounds like solenoid clicks. A warning light indicates " "Braking Power Low Stop in a Safe Place See Owner' s Manual". My first thought was my battery had to be low because it wasn't engaging the starter (clicking sound). but the stiff brake pedal was what was throwing me. I turned off the car and stepped on the brake to see how it felt and it was stiff. I turn on the car, the warning light indicating the same, i press start and the same clicking sound. I went through several cycles of stepping on the brake and starting and about the 5th try my car started.
I got to work and looked up the issue online and ran across almost the same problem, here is the full text:
Sep 242017
RX 350
- 2,000 miles
- In order to start the car, the brake must be pressed. However, if the car sits without use for several days, the brake pedal cannot be pressed down and the car will not start. A warning light indicates that "brake power is low, stop in a safe place". attached is a picture of the warning light. The car can generally be subsequently started by either waiting several minutes or exerting a lot of pressure on the brake pedal, and the warning light disappears. I've had many conversations with Lexus service and Lexus corporate office. They've said that this condition exists with "every 2016-2018 rx 350" and is not unique to my car. They've also said this condition cannot be repaired, despite the fact that the warning light indicates it is dangerous to drive the car. Lexus confirmed that despite the fact the condition occurs after the car has sat for a period of time, it is not a battery issue and likely occurs because of pressure lost in the brake system. Although I question Lexus' statements that this condition exists with every car, it is disconcerting that they cannot or will not fix a condition that may be dangerous to continue driving, as indicated by the car's warning light. This condition occurs regularly.- Santa Barbara, CA, USA
#108
Driver School Candidate
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Location: NSW
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I have just experienced this issue on a 2018 Toyota Kluger in Australia. The dealer was able to replicate the issue on my car by pumping the brake. They were not able to replicate the issue on another car of the same model. This suggests to me that it is a fault and not normal behaviour.
The dealer said that there was no fault with the car and did nothing top fix the underlying problem.
What are Toyota / Lexus doing to fix the problem?
At the very least they should upgrade the software to make the warning more sensible. The warning suggests to consult the manual but the error is not listed in my manual.
The dealer said that there was no fault with the car and did nothing top fix the underlying problem.
What are Toyota / Lexus doing to fix the problem?
At the very least they should upgrade the software to make the warning more sensible. The warning suggests to consult the manual but the error is not listed in my manual.
#109
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The Lexus manual here (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1109823/Lexus-Rx350-2016.html?page=642) says "If the following messages are shown, there may be a malfunction. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous". I have serious concerns driving a vehicle with a vehicle exhibiting a warning highlighted as 'dangerous'.
#111
Racer
My 2017 Rx with 5600 miles on it sits in the garage for a week, week and a half. The brake pedal is always hard, but I just push it hard and it always starts.
#112
Lexus Test Driver
If it's a brake booster leaking overnight, nothing to be alarmed about. Yes it should be fixed under warranty with a revised part, but it's more of an inconvenience than any serious safety problem. The pedal relieves pressure off the brake light switch (the thing that tells your brake lights to come on when you push the brake) and this switch also tells the car "OK to start the engine". So without vacuum assist, you have to push the pedal hard with your leg in order for that switch to activate.
For those with healthy RXs, you should be able to replicate this by pushing on your brake pedal with the car off a few times until the pedal is hard. This will use up all your vacuum (the same thing the leak is doign) Then try to start your car.
In fact, I'll try it in my 3IS and see what happens!
For those with healthy RXs, you should be able to replicate this by pushing on your brake pedal with the car off a few times until the pedal is hard. This will use up all your vacuum (the same thing the leak is doign) Then try to start your car.
In fact, I'll try it in my 3IS and see what happens!
#113
Driver School Candidate
I had the hard brake pedal and low brake power message. Dealer replaced brake booster. Hard brake pedal persists. Next time car was in dealer updated software which I think just prevents the car from giving the low power message and not allowing you to start car. Had hard brake pedal several times since but always able to start car.
#114
Lexus Test Driver
Alright. I didn't use my car for 2 weeks. I have the tow prep package as well.
My gas pedal was depressed pretty firmly on its own. When I pushed to start the car hesitated a little bit like the battery was dying but started fine. After, did not have any issues with starting the car.
Just wanted to let you guys know.
My gas pedal was depressed pretty firmly on its own. When I pushed to start the car hesitated a little bit like the battery was dying but started fine. After, did not have any issues with starting the car.
Just wanted to let you guys know.
#115
Loosing vacuum for brakes
I have a 2018 RX350 and if the car sits for 2 days or more the car is hard to start because the brake pedal is very stiff, Like the vacuum pump is leaking. All 6 of my previous RX 350's did not do this. Anyone having similar problem?
#116
Yes, my '18 normally has a stiff pedal, never hampered it starting with a firm push. You'll see posts here, seems to be a small vacuum leak and cured for the most part with a vacuum booster replacement. See your dealer.
#117
Racer
My 2017 RX sits in the garage for days or even a week and always has a hard pedal but has never failed to start. Just push the brake pedal a little harder.
#118
Lead Lap
My 2013 RX350 has this behavior. If I drive it daily the brake pedal is soft. If I don't drive it for three days the pedal is hard but I can always start the car.
#119
"Braking power low" [2016 RX 350]
I thought I'd share my experience today with this issue for whatever help it can be to people looking for answers to it in the future. From my Internet searches, it sounded like it isn't unusual.
I tried to start our car yesterday morning, but all it did was emit a loud buzz from somewhere behind the center of the dash and display "Braking power low" in the Multi-Informational Display (between the speedometer and the tachometer). The red brake indicator light and the red light on the parking brake were also flashing. The owner's manual said to not drive the car and have it serviced immediately.
Before calling Lexus, I Googled the message and found two possible causes: A bad battery and a leak in the brake booster (Lexus Technical Service Bulletin L-SB-0010-18). I'm not mechanically-inclined but thought it would help to be at least minimally-informed when I talked to Lexus.
I called Lexus' customer service (we have a Safety Connect subscription), and the lady I spoke with said 90% of the time, this message is caused by a low battery and could be fixed by jump-starting. If it wasn't, they'd be glad to tow it to the dealer. She said she would dispatch a technician, either from the dealer or AAA, and he arrived about 20 minutes later. He jump-started the car with the tiniest recharging unit I've ever seen, and I drove it to the dealer without an appointment.
Four-and-a-half hours later, it was fixed. They had installed a new 84-month Lexus-brand battery ("24F ROBUST") and reprogrammed the Ignition Control Module ("SOFTWARE REFLASH ICM") to solve the brake booster issue, both under warranty.
And that's how I spent my holiday.
I tried to start our car yesterday morning, but all it did was emit a loud buzz from somewhere behind the center of the dash and display "Braking power low" in the Multi-Informational Display (between the speedometer and the tachometer). The red brake indicator light and the red light on the parking brake were also flashing. The owner's manual said to not drive the car and have it serviced immediately.
Before calling Lexus, I Googled the message and found two possible causes: A bad battery and a leak in the brake booster (Lexus Technical Service Bulletin L-SB-0010-18). I'm not mechanically-inclined but thought it would help to be at least minimally-informed when I talked to Lexus.
I called Lexus' customer service (we have a Safety Connect subscription), and the lady I spoke with said 90% of the time, this message is caused by a low battery and could be fixed by jump-starting. If it wasn't, they'd be glad to tow it to the dealer. She said she would dispatch a technician, either from the dealer or AAA, and he arrived about 20 minutes later. He jump-started the car with the tiniest recharging unit I've ever seen, and I drove it to the dealer without an appointment.
Four-and-a-half hours later, it was fixed. They had installed a new 84-month Lexus-brand battery ("24F ROBUST") and reprogrammed the Ignition Control Module ("SOFTWARE REFLASH ICM") to solve the brake booster issue, both under warranty.
And that's how I spent my holiday.
#120
Driver School Candidate
Software update
I encountered a similar problem ( car would not start, error code Brake Power Low) recently with my 2016 RX350. The dealer performed a warranty repair with a software update based on a Lexus issued service bulletin. When I asked them to explain the problem and how a software update would fix a problem that first occurred 3 years into service, they cannot ( or would not ) give me an explanation and referred me to Lexus headquarter instead. Since Lexus issued a service bulletin, they obviously was aware of the problem.
The experience left me very uneasy. Did they increase the tolerane so the sensor would not trigger the error? or they simply update the software to ignore the sensor?
The experience left me very uneasy. Did they increase the tolerane so the sensor would not trigger the error? or they simply update the software to ignore the sensor?