1990 Buick Century Car stalls while driving

SGTMAJOR

MEMBER
1990 BUICK CENTURY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
163,000 MILES

Car stalls while driving after about 30 to 45 mins. If you switch to neutral before stall, it won't stall but as soon as its put into gear(forward or reverse) it will stall. It starts right back up, every time. Just before the stall there is a heavy vibration, like if you were going over a rumble strip, then it stalls.I was told it may be a max airflow sensor, but I wanted to know for sure or atleast get several opinions. The max airflow sensor is kind of expensive, otherwise the car runs like new.I bet it has another 100 to 200,000 miles left in her.
Thank You,
SgtMajor Cassidy
(USMC-Retired)

4 Replies

SGTMAJOR

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Friday, July 25th, 2008 AT 6:04 PM

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,750 POSTS

Ues sir she still has plenty of life left in her. Your problem is a sticking torque convertger clutch solenoid in the transmission. If you look down at the transmission from the top you will see a white electrical plug toward the radiator side. Unplug this electrical connector and your problem will be gone. You can drive forever with it unplugged and wont harm transsmission or you can have the solenoid replaced and keep the torque converter lock up. (Its basically a 4th gear in the transmission) you dont have to have it. Most people just leave it unplugged. I would replace it if it were me because im anal about my cars. The cost to repair can range from $50, if you do it yourself to about 300 if yiou take it to a shop. Hope this helps.

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Friday, July 25th, 2008 AT 7:16 PM

3DGRAHAM

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10 POSTS

This sure sounds familiar. I had the same problem with my 1994 Buick Century, 4 cyl, 118,000 miles.

I disconnected the torque converter clutch plug but plugged it back in. Then I drove 1500 miles on the highway (interstate) and back (another 1500 miles). My car has not shuddered or stalled when I slow down since! That was one month ago. Don't know why, maybe it just needed exercise. I usually just drive the car around town.

Good luck with your problem. I understand that with the plug unplugged your gas mileage will/may decrease.

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Thursday, August 21st, 2008 AT 12:51 PM

ODDMOORE

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12 POSTS

There's a very good chance it's the "Mass Air Flow Sensor". My daughter has a 95 Buick Century, that's been doing the same thing for a couple of months now. At first it was a rare occurance. Then a VERY, VERY frequent one. You drive your car for 10 to 20 minutes and whenever you stop or come to a idel speed it would die, then start right back up. Check engine light comes on more and more. Eventually it's on as soon as you start your car. I used a "Actron Super AutoScanner CP9145 OBDll code reader", to verify my diagnosis and that's exactly what it was. The Mass Air Flow Sensor". Fortunately, it's a easy part to access and remove since it's right on top of your engine. Mine cost, (with a core charge) $136.00 at Autozone. Good Luck. :-)

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Monday, August 25th, 2008 AT 10:48 AM