Car stalls when the brakes are pressed?

Question

I have a '94 Saturn SC1 140k miles. I've given the car a full tune-up ( plugs, wires, PCV valve, Air filters, oils). The car runs well at idle around 800 RPMs but If I try and take the car out of park to place it in Reverse or Drive, step on the brake pedal, the RPM's drop and the engine stalls. Any suggestions...????

1.9L Engine 4 Cylinder SOHC EFI

Just realized that when the car is idling and the left/right indicator is used; the engine dies. I idled the car again, disconnected the terminal and the engine kept running so it's not the alternator or the battery

Answer 1

When you place your foot on the brake without trying to move the car, does it still die?
If so, look at the brake booster as the primary cause. To test, disconnect the vacuum hose for the booster, and cap the nipple on the engine. Does it die now?
Pretty good chance that the transmission is at fault here.
Have you tried to read the DTCs yet?
Go here----->

http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-51a.htm

...for instructions to retrieve the codes. It is easy and only requires a paperclip.
With the codes in hand, look at the chart for the number and its description. This will give you some direction.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas

Answer 2

This may not be possible answer to your question. But, as far as I know there should be no connection between the break and the engine. These are two separate system that make up a car. Everytime you step on the break the RPM will go down because your foot is off the accelerator pedal. The RPM increases when you step on the accelerator.

But the break should not stop the enige from ideling. If your break is pneumatically assisted, the air comes from the compressor which is the end item of the engine and driven by the enigne.

Break is to stop the car from moving any time you choose to stop the car. No mechanical, electrical or hydrolic connection exists between the engine and break.

But while you are breaking, if you wnat to drvie back word or forward, depending on what gear you are the engine will stall. Because the power of the engine can't overcome the breaking force applied to the wheel.

It is the same as pulling heavy duty (big ton) motor vehicle from where it ditched with small horsepower motor car.

You may have to see or examine your break antilock system if the car occassinaly breaks itself.

I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 3

the challenge is interior the skill brake booster inflicting a vacuum leak. changing the booster (in the back of the grasp cylinder) will medical care the challenge this is not that not undemanding a activity to do, and the booster would be interior the $one hundred fifty selection

Answer 4

suspect you have a bad brake booster. try pinching off the rubber hose to the booster with needle nose pliers or vise grips, then starting the engine and depress the brake pedal. see if the problem goes away..if it does, then the booster is bad. if the problem stays, then keep looking. also , check alternator and battery. if the alternator is weak, then the voltage requirements of the brake lights could be just enough to pull down system voltage, and shut ecm off.

Answer 5

catalytic converter is dun in it`s like putting a potato the the pipe back pressure makes it stall

Answer 6

vacuum leaks or booster for brakes out

Answer 7

Get some throttle body cleaner, and clean the throttle body. Is probably all gummed up and such.

Answer 8

neutral safety switch and I think it is on the transmission but I'm not sure.