really high idle, rock hard brake pedal

[dethlikesilence]

Started up my 01 cruiser this morning idle went to almost 3000, then back down to 1500, then kept pinging like i was pushing the gas pedal. Car will do 40 by itself. Brake pedal is rock hard and had to use both feet to stop. Anyone know what's going on?

[Fk5]

First!

Check the vacuum lines going to your brake booster. Lack of vacuum would make your pedal hard, the leak will make the idle race. There is a big hose there that people knock off when doing work. Sometimes they knock a cap off or the hose just tears from age. Good luck.

[Handy_Cruiser]

Sounds like a classic mass vacuum leak.

This is one where trouble codes may not mean much at first. Just note what they are for now. The only exception might be an EGR code of some type.

If me, I'd first inspect the 3/8th inch rubber hose running from the back of upper intake manifold to the brake booster. The most likely thing is that this hose and either come loose or the check valve the hose attaches too at the brake booster has come loose or is broken.

If it's still attached, there's no strong sucking sound when running, and the PVC hose return hose on the front left (drivers) side of the upper intake looks good, I'd take the hose loose from the brake booster and plug it. If the engine runs good, then you know there's a likely failure within the brake booster itself.

Also, look for cracks in the intake manifold and anything else that would let a lot of air get sucked in from somewhere other than the throttle body. If no joy let us know what trouble code you have and we will try some other things.

[CREWZIN]

Had the same problem a few months back. As the other said: vacuum leak. Follow the big hose from the Brake Booster where it goes to a "T" and them to smaller hoses. Make sure they are all good and making good connection.

[robadat]

Originally Posted by Fk5

First!

Check the vacuum lines going to your brake booster. Lack of vacuum would make your pedal hard, the leak will make the idle race. There is a big hose there that people knock off when doing work. Sometimes they knock a cap off or the hose just tears from age. Good luck.

I've accidently knocked that hose off more than once.
Work on the car, start the car up, and it races to 3000 rpm... I then pop the hood and put the hose back where it belongs, car goes back to purring like a kitten...

[VsandFords]

+1 on ALL of the responses.

[dethlikesilence]

Thank you to everyone for the information. I'm sick like a dog right now, but hopefully tomorrow if I feel better I will look and let you know!

[dethlikesilence]

Curiosity got the best of me, the big hose that comes from the booster was unplugged from the intake manifold. Slid in kinda loose, back to normal. I greatly appreciate your help and support! Thank you!

[robadat]

One of these days I really should put a hose clamp on that damn hose... I knocked it off again topping off the coolant last night...must've brushed against it with coolant jug...