Long time browser, first time poster...

I have a 98 Accord Coupe, 4cylinder @ 170K miles.

I've noticed that the engine will shudder and sometimes stall when I apply brakes for a stop sign or a red light, or slow for a turn. I've seen the rpm drop way below idle when it starts to shudder. If I react fast enough I can tap on the gas to prevent it from stalling. When the car does stall, all I have to do is put the car in park and turn the key... then the car will run fine.

This has happened 4 times over about the past 3 months. When the engine dies, lights turn on in the dash and steering gets really heavy. It happened yesterday when I was in the middle of a turn and I almost ran my car into an island. Its time to get this fixed. Any ideas on what’s going on and how to fix? I don’t want to walk into a shop with no idea what’s going on.

I’ve got some ideas from similar posts, but I want to see if I can get additional input.

All input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

When was the last time you had a tune up?

Check Engine Light?

 

Last tune up was at about 140K.

No CELs are going off...

 

EGR

Check the plugs, cap, rotor

Air Filter

Fuel Filter



Lots of things to check lol

 

Your car must have a leak in brake vacuum booster because it happens when you
apply brakes. As a result engine gets too much air.

 

Can I check these on my own? What do I look for?

Or... can anyone recommend a dependable shop in orange county?

TY!

 

You should remove a vacuum hose that goes to booster and block it some how.
Use wise-grips or ask your freind to help you. After hose has no connection to booster and is closed, apply brakes and see if your engine stalls.
Do you know how booster looks and were it is?

 

i have no clue, to me it sounds a little like the crappy alternator on these accords, when i first start up the car, and press the brakes hard, the idle will lower for a second as brake booster kicks in.

i just typed that whole second sentence, and realized that i just answered my question about what the booster is and looks like. lol:doh:

 

Actually, Honda alternators can cause these symptoms. It's not very common, but it's not unheard of, either.

The alternator is controlled by a voltage called the FR Signal from the ECM/PCM. (No idea what "FR" stands for. "Field Regulator?") If it loses that signal, it'll cause exactly the same symptoms you described. As I said, it's not very common. So don't get sidetracked. Think of it as a last resort.