2001 Mercury Sable brakes and engine

DARIANGEE2000

MEMBER
2001 MERCURY SABLE
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
83,000 MILES

Hello, I was backing my car up and all of a sudden it just felt like I had run out of gas but my car did not shut off. The engine was sputtering and my brakes became super hard to push in. I drove to the gas station and applied gas. It didnt fix the problem. It drove home perfect besides the brakes. I noticed the check engine light came on when I pulled into the driveway. The next morning when I cut on the car and popped the hood the engine is shaking and muffler sounds like its coughing and I hear light pops every 4-5 seconds. Checked all my fluids and there fine please helpppp.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,867 POSTS

First, you need to have the computer checked for trouble codes. If the check engine light is on, there are codes stored. Most parts stores will do it for free.

Next, did the brake pedal operate normally when the engine was reving? If it was still hard to push, either the vacuum hose between the engine and brake booster is bad or disconnected, or the booster went bad. That would cause a major vacuum leak, the engine it run rough, and a backfire (popping).

Let me know.
Joe