What is brake vacuum pump?

A brake vacuum pump is a device that helps reduce the effort required to apply the brakes in a vehicle, especially those with diesel engines or high-performance engines that may not generate sufficient vacuum for the brake booster. It creates a vacuum to assist the brake booster, making it easier for the driver to depress the brake pedal.

This video explains the basics of a brake vacuum pump and how it assists the brake booster:

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Function:
The vacuum pump creates a low-pressure area (vacuum) that works in conjunction with the brake booster to amplify the force applied to the brake pedal.
Necessity:
Diesel engines, and some gasoline engines with aggressive camshafts or high-performance applications, often don’t generate enough vacuum in the intake manifold to adequately assist the brake booster.
How it works:
The pump creates a vacuum by drawing air out of a sealed chamber, and this vacuum is then used to assist the brake booster’s diaphragm in creating the necessary force to push brake fluid and activate the brakes.
Location:
Brake vacuum pumps are typically found on diesel vehicles and vehicles with large cams or high-performance engines.
Types:
Vacuum pumps can be either mechanically driven (connected to the engine) or electrically driven. Electric pumps are controlled by the engine control module.