I have a 1992 Lexus SC400. Had the timing chain, water pump, tensioners, etc. replaced as well as the coils, distributor cap, one of the rotors, wires and plugs replaced as well. Car ran great. Got in it to crank it up and it would crank up and fall dead. I checked the MAF, still nothing. Happened to crank it up and left my foot on the brake and it starts and stays running. As soon as my foot is almost off the brake, it falls dead. I spent all day today screw with trying to get the MAF screws off to replace the MAF with another one. Does anyone have a clue what the hell is going on with this car. This is my first SC400 and from the looks of things, my last. I'm getting frustrated with this car. Let me know, thanks in advance.

 

That's very wierd, sounds like it could possibly be a very bad vacuum leak. Maybe when your foot is on the brake the booster vacuum helps somehow? Check all everything possible to make sure something was not left disconnected.

 

That was my first thought also. Recheck the coils on both sides then recheck the wires on the plugs and make sure they are not pinched by the plastic.

 

As you describe it, it sounds like the power to the brake light is some how providing power to a critical system, ecu, ignition... Check all the fuses, not just to see if blown but check for power w/ignition on. If this is what it is doing just trace down the short. Hth.