Chrysler Repair: brakes & idle speed, brake master cylinder, lean mixture

Question
2000 Town & Country Limited van. This morning the brakes simply did not work.  I have no play in the brake pedal (just an inch or two)- they seem to be stuck in one place.   My son drove yesterday and said it just happened between two stops.  Also - the idle is revving at 2500-300 rpm. I assume this is related - perhaps a belt broke?

Can you help.

Dave

Answer
Hi Dave,
Brakes are tricky to diagnose at a distance. It sounds like the power assist unit may not be doing its job. That coupled with the high idle speed makes me think that the vacuum hose from the intake manifold to the power brake vacuum assist chamber is disconnected at one or the other end or cracked so as to loose the vacuum supply to the power unit. That also allows a 'tramp' supply of fresh air into the intake manifold which the electonic controller for the engine sees as a lean mixture so it throws some extra fuel to the injectors and that drives the idle speed way up. So look for the big hose from the manifold over to the power assist unit at the firewall of the engine compartment, right above the brake master cylinder and inspect it at both ends to see if it is a loose clamp, or cracked hose.
Let me know if anything interesting is found.
Roland