Do the brakes affect the transmission while driving? Story…

This has happened twice this week in the exact same scenario. I was slowing for an intersection and making a turn. After the turn I had no acceleration. I tried shifting up and down the gears but still nothing. Eventually I pulled over and shifted through park and back to drive and then everything was fine. Also this week as I approached the car in a parking lot I saw that the brake lights were still on. The car was not running.

So, I’ve done a little testing. While I can’t see the brake lights while sitting in the car I can hear the solenoid on the shifter as I depress and release the brake pedal. To my lack of surprise it’s possible to release the brakes slow enough that the solenoid doesn’t “click”. I have a new brake switch and a new brake relay on order. As it happens I won’t be driving that car for the next week so I’ll have to report back later about the fix.

My question still is… does this sound like typical transmission behavior when the brake switch is stuck on?

Thanks and hopefully this is a cheap fix and helps someone else with the same problem.

update…

Replaced the brake switch yesterday and so far so good. I won’t really know for a while though. I unfortunately ordered the relay for the cruise control brake relay and I really don’t think that has anything to do with my problems. Pretty sure it’s the brake pedal switch.

update 09/11/2024…

A month after changing the brake switch my car is working with no problems.

 

"While I can’t see the brake lights while sitting in the car"
I check brake lights while in the drivers seat by looking at the lights reflection off the wall by way of the rear-view mirror.

 

Reference my post in this thread:

https://maxima.org/forums/8th-genera...elerating.html

When the computer thinks the brakes are engaged, it cuts power as they shouldn’t be engaged at the same time.