1989 Corsica Dying at a Stop

Tiny
MISTIE89
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 CHEVROLET TRUCK
Hello, I own a 1989 Chevy Corsica, 4 Cyl, with about 204,000 miles on it.

The car runs well. Most of the time. After driving it for a while when I come to make a complete stop, the car will sputter, like it's not catching, then die. It will let me start back up fine. But when I go to drop it into gear, the car will shut off again.

We have changed the fuel filter, checked wiring, and checked vacume hoses. We have also replaced the Tranny fluid pan gasket. Is there something we missed? Or is the problem the actual transmission itself?

I will be really appreciative if someone could help me out on this one. I really need it.

For now I can drive short distances, but long distances is a no-no. I would really like a reply, and hopefully I have given enough information for someone to help.

Thank you very much,
Mistie.
Sunday, May 6th, 2007 AT 2:34 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Does that have an OD trans?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, May 7th, 2007 AT 2:24 PM
Tiny
MISTIE89
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes it does.

I forgot to add a few things to the list of things we have replaced: the thermostat, and the alternator.

By you asking that question, could it be that the car gets stuck in OD? Someone brought that up to me, but I wasn't sure about it because I didn't know the guy and I wanted a second opinion.

If you think that's the case, what would cause that, and what would need to be done to the car?

I'm really trying to learn all I can about my car, and what could be going wrong with it. I like having the car because it gives me a chance to work on it, to learn the basics, and how to take care of one so that I will know how to fix a car that I may have in the future.

Thank you again for your time.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, May 7th, 2007 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
SAMILLSJR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have an 85 year old father with the same year and model car, but with the 6 cyl, who is having the same problem as the previous submitter. He is saying when the car gets to operating temperature it stops running when he stops at a taffic light. Most times it gets towed and by time the tow truck get there the car has cooled out and the car starts ok. Could this be caused by Vapor Lock? He had the catalytic converter replaced. Could the exhaust be too close to the fuel line. Or, could it be the fuel pump. Any suggestions on what to have checked would greatly appreicated.

Thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

Jack42 should have come back to tell you that these cars had a problem with the catalytic converter which fails to unlock on long trips. You will need to replace the torque converter to fix the problem.

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 16th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links