I have a 1985 Corolla. It has a carburetor and starting two days ago it began stalling and dying whenever I hit the brakes. It occasionally will die when it idles, usually if I don't let it warm up before I drive it. I don't understand how braking can be related to my car dying, but that's what it's doing? Is this a transmission problem or something with my timing or spark plugs?

How does it idle? I guess if you begin to brake, your RPMs will start to drop and if they drop too far your car will stall. Maybe a gunked up carb? Just a guess.

Yeah, I found the problem. I thought I had a vacuum hose leak but the hissing I head was really just a belt scrubbing. Turns out my PCV pipe is backing oil up into the filter. I took out the filter and de-greased the box then drove it around the block. It idles like hell without a filter but doesn't die. I'm going in the morning to replace the filter.

Otherwise, it runs greats for as old as it is. It runs quiet enough that the first time it died the other day I didn't really realize it.

Glad to hear you found your problem!

My car had a similar problem. It wouldn't start properly - I would have to step on the gas to start it - and if I didn't give it enough gas to start, it would die on me when I step on the brakes. I assumed it was the alternator, but the first mechanics I took my car to argued that it was my battery. My dad swears that they're so darn great so AGAINST my will, my car battery was replaced. My car's issue did NOT improve. Out of anger, I took it to a shop one of my friends trusted to have the alternator replaced. My car was BETTER, but it was still being an occasional b!tch so I took it to the shop again. Turned out it was a "defective idle air control valve". Had that replaced. Now my car is in excellent condition.

Sucks I spent so darn much (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) but I'm absolutely ecstatic that my car's working beautifully. Proved my dad wrong. Ha!

Btw, the frikn alternator was EXPENSIVE!!! *looks for an "omfg smiley" of some sort* Dude... You guys need more smilies.

I'm having the same problem on my 2002 Sienna, 75k miles.

Just last week, it suddenly has difficulty starting. it dies immediately after start, unless I press down the accelerator. The idle is extremely low and quiet. Even if it doesn't die, I could hardly hear the engine sound.

It's definitely not the battery problem, as I tried it with a massive Mercedes-battery, everything the same.

I also replace the dirty air filter, still the same. I hate going to a dealership without an overall idea what's wrong, as my saving swine will shrink right away.

Thank you for sharing the experience. I've been reading the section about IAC valve since yesterday, but not sure. Your posting convinced me about the cause. I'll get an after market one and install it myself.

Hopefully the problem will be gone - either way, I'll report back with the result.

I tested the IAC valve by jumping two points in the diagnostic ports as described in the manual. The result showed the IAC valve is functioning normally. I proceed by inspecting the reconnecting the wiring to the PCM, by rocking at the connectors. Suddenly, the problem went away, the car now start normally. Apparently, it's just a loosening connection.

Dollor spent: zero ! If I had gone to a dealership, it would easily cost my over $1,000 in parts and labor !

What's a joy!