scottalexander

Every time we start our 528i's, we have to have our foot on the brake pedal or the car doesn't start. How often does the brake pedal switch break causing the vehicle not to start?

When the 528i doesn't start,many guys are examining the Intelligent Battery Sensor cable or the fuel pump control unit, but no one is examining the brake pedal switch.

What is the general life cycle of the brake pedal switch?

Allen

Some cars require the brake pedal to be pressed before allowing the starter to engage. Not sure if the 528i is that way or not.

rice_rocket88

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having the brake pedal switch break.. however, I've had one back in the day die. It's a pretty simple switch... and you can test it yourself by seeing if the brake lights turn on They might have tapped it and saw the lights and moved on so fast that you didn't realize it when they were troubleshooting for you.

seanjordan20

In BMWs it is required to press the brake to start the car. No one checked the brake switch because it doesn't go out. Brake switches rarely go out in any car unless there is a manufacturer defect in the make. I think BMW has perfected the switch since it is something they have required for a while. I can't speak of cars over 250k miles but none that I know of have failed.

FormerE30Owner

You are, of course, referring to automatic transmission BMWs. Manual transmission BMWs won't start if the clutch isn't depressed completely. No need to press the brake.

seanjordan20

I would assume the OP has an automatic having to press the brake pedal. Every manual owner knows they have to press the clutch to start the car. I didn't think I had to state the obvious.

Allen

Speaking of manuals... I once had an interesting issue on my E34 manual...the clutch engaged switch was out of adjustment (thought clutch was pressed all the time). The only resulting issue was that I could not engage the cruise control...because the clutch must be disengaged for cruise to activate.

FormerE30Owner

Be careful about what you assume. It appeared that the OP did not know that he/she had to press the brake to start his/her unmentioned automatic and then you assumed that he didn't know that. Otherwise, why would you restate the obvious?

I was trying to clear the confusion in other readers minds and mine also.

Respectfully, Bob p..

seanjordan20

I didn't assume he did not know the brake had to be pressed. I was following up with his switch question. I started by stating what BMW requires and since they require it why the switch is almost never the issue. Maybe you read my response wrong.

FormerE30Owner

Perhaps. Lets leave it at that.
Salut, Bob P.