fxcarden

Hey guys - 2011 TSX with 80K miles.

This winter, whenever the temps drop to 15 or below my brakes don't work in the AM when I first move the car.

I get moving, and down the block there is a stop sign. I hit the pedal and nothing happens. I hit it a second time, and most of the time the brakes start to work (a couple of times it took 3 tries). After the brakes engage the first time, they continue to work normally for the rest of the day.

Wondering if anyone has experienced similar, and what it could possibly be?. Frozen calipers? All four at the same time? A valve? Other?

The last brake related service on this car (which is otherwise running perfect) was in September when the front pads were replaced.

Thanks

fxcarden

Oh, never mind - I see the other threads on this subject. I guess a trip to the shop is in order.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

when you depress the pedal, the pedal feels normal?
at the stop sign, do you skid??

if so, your tires are to blame here. rubber can't grab traction when it's below a certain temp.
after a few miles, the tires start to warm up and can gain traction.

fxcarden

The car does not skid. It is not a tire problem. I literally have no brakes.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

does the pedal feel normal?
how does the brake fluid level look?

it's odd to say you dont have any brakes, but then say after stopping (how do you stop?) they work normally.

could ice or snow be packed into the calipers??

fxcarden

I stop by pumping the pedal multiple times. It usually works after 2 or 3 tries. I am going slowly pulling up to the stop sign, so that is how I stop. There is currently no snow or ice anywhere. The telling thing is that after it works once, it continues to work. I am ruling out calipers because all four are failing or working at the same time. After looking around on the web, I am leaning towards check valve or booster. I will have to drop off the car on a cold night so the mechanics can experience the joy themselves in the morning. The brake fluid was changed when the pads were changed in the summer, so that is fine.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

thank you for describing the situation in full.
a loss of pedal feel does indicate either master cylinder or brake booster. (that's what I was trying to get at by asking how the pedal feels.)
there are further test that YOU can do to test both the Brake master cylinder and the brake booster. these test procedures are outlined in the Service manual.

thoiboi

Did you replace the fluid when the front pads were replaced?

fxcarden

See above. The fluid was replaced when the front pads were done in September.

FLYGUY31

I've had this issue for years. Usually under 25 degrees or so. Now I just pump the brakes a few times before I start off on my drive. I figures it's probably something frozen in the line that needs to get broke up. It only happens on very cold evenings. The first time it happened it freaked me out. But pumping a few times before you take off does work. When pumping before you drive off, you can feel how the pedal is tight then loosens up and travels further toward the floor.

fxcarden

Was able to replicate problem at dealer. They agreed it was the check valve. Part is on back order.