1990 1.5L EE wagon wants to stall when the brake pedal

TomKTomK Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
When I put the brakes on to stop or slow down, the engine wants to stall. As soon as I lift off the brake pedal, the engine is perfectly OK.

The previous owner possibly had a security system on it and installed hydraulics as well.

What I am left with is a bunch of wires in the right front fender wheel well.

The car runs great until you touch the brake pedal.

My mechanic needs multiple suggestions to try to find a solution.

Comments

  • 1988rt1988rt Senior Wagonist
    Dam, let me know what it is. My friend with a 1991 Si hatch is going thru the same thing
  • leWolfleWolf Senior Wagonist
    You know the brakes use vacuum from your engine right? Disconnect your vacuum line that runs to your brake booster and plug it up. see if your car dies still. Under no circumstances should you drive like that though, your brakes will be almost useless. Also it's possible he tied an alarm system into your brake light switch. You can just unplug it and see if your problem goes away. If you unplug the brake light switch you wont have any brake lights though.
    GOOD LUCK!
  • jt223539jt223539 New Wagonist
    A common problem I have run into is when some one does anywork to the rear of the car they forget to reconnect the ground for the brake lights. If that ground is loose or not connected, this will cause that stalling effect when ever the lights are engaged. And make sure that if the rear interior has been painted that the grounding spot or threads are clean of any paint so that it has a good connection. (this ground is located inside the car, near the spare tire, right underneath the rear hatch latch)

    And as a second thought, check your battery and alternator. If they are not supplying enough power to the car when you draw just that little extra to light up the brake lights the car will also feel like it is going to stall out.

    Let us know what happens.
  • TomKTomK Band Wagon
    Thanks for all of the suggestions. It will be worked on this coming weekend and I will let you know!
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