2002 Regal GS engine just shuts off when braking

[1quick6]

My wife's 2002 Buick Regal GS has been displaying a weird problem lately. She can be driving and then she applies the brakes. All of the dummy lights light up like a christmas tree and the car acts like it is going to stall. Then, they go back to normal and the car runs fine. It has done this five times in the past couple of days and it has completely stalled once. The check engine light doesn't stay lit and the car seems to otherwise run fine. This only happens when braking for a stop.

The car has 65k miles and seems to otherwise run strong. Any ideas what this could be? I haven't washed the engine bay recently, so everything should be dry.

 

[kshef]

does it seems electrical like a bad alternator?

 

[1quick6]

I get 14.5 volts at the battery when the car is running. it's really weird since it only happens when braking. Could it be a vacuum leak?

 

[SRGN]

My wife's 98 did something similar, turned out to be a crappy ground that got worse when the engine shifted under braking. Cleaned every ground and it hasn't happened since.

 

[NJ Torque]

^^^ Yup... Good grounds are almost like a performance mod.

 

[meanchicken]

Check the battery cables at both ends.
Had the same thing happen on my 97 GTP and it ended up being a busted + battery terminal.

Have seen similar symptoms on other cars and ended up being worn cables at either the battery or starter end...

...And agree on the grounds possibility also.

 

[1quick6]

I checked all of the grounds I know of, and the car actually got worse (which is likely coincidence). Now, when I turn the key to run, every light in the dash blinks and the dash emits a clicking noise. If I turn on the hazard lights, the dash goes back to normal and the car will start. However, sometimes it will not shift out of park even with the brake on, which I assume is also electrical in nature. Also, if I switch off the hazards, after three seconds the lights in the dash click and blink and the car stalls again.

I'm starting to think ignition switch?

 

[twodafloor]

ignition switch

just had this fixed on my 98. turn on turn signal , or hit brake car died. ignition switch fixed it. my mechanic looked up online, lots of cars reported this problem(buick regal) good luck

 

[1quick6]

I'm kind of thinking the switch myself, especially since it won't shift out of park sometimes. The switch must not be sending a signal to unlock the shifter. There are just too many weird things going on. Not exactly a DIY job, so it's off to the shop. I'm kind of sad because none of my cars get to the shop if I can help it. I love being a shadetree mechanic.

 

[1quick6]

Well, $303 later, it was the ignition switch. Man, when those things go bad, it causes some weird stuf to happen!