If vacuum is present on both sides of the diaphragm in a brake booster, what is indicated?

When vacuum is present on both sides of the diaphragm in a brake booster, it indicates that the booster is not functioning properly. In a functioning brake booster, one side of the diaphragm should have atmospheric pressure while the other side maintains a vacuum. This pressure differential is what allows the booster to assist in applying the brakes.

If vacuum exists on both sides of the diaphragm, it means that the system is not creating the necessary pressure difference for the booster to aid in braking. Therefore, the brakes cannot effectively apply. This condition is a critical indication of a malfunction in the brake booster itself.

While option A suggests that the brakes are being released, it does not capture the essence of the fault in this scenario. A more accurate interpretation would relate to the brake system being non-functional or compromised due to improper pressure conditions, which is indicative of a mechanical issue, like a clogged booster or another component failure. Understanding the role of the brake booster in creating a pressure differential is key to this analysis.