1994 Cutlass Ciera Stalls When Stopping

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RONJJ22
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I have a 1994 cutlass ciera with 139000 miles. The engine is a 4 cylinder. I was recently driving the vehicle and then when I stopped it the vehicles engine shuddered and then shut off. The vehicle started right up but then when I put it in drive it shut off again. I complete these steps multiple times. I was finally able to keep the vehicle started by placing the vehicle in neutral and reving the engine slightly then puting the vehicle into drive. What could be causing this? (Bad gas?) The vehicle also has a slight transmission leak would this be the cause.
Mar 10, 2006 at 7:56 AM
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JPAM
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does this only happen after the car is warmed up?? did u try shifting it manualy?? just triing to collect info to help process along, so if you can write back that would be great.. thnks jess s.
Mar 10, 2006 at 4:24 PM
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MVANNESSJR
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Try this... Let the car sit for a few hours and drive it around at city speeds... 25-35MPH and see if the car stalls when coming to a stop. If the car doesn't stall take it close to home or a service center and break 45-50MPH... This will engage the TCC. Try slowing down and see if the car stalls. If it does, your TCC solenoid is toast. If it doesn't then look at the neutral safety switch as a problem.
Mar 10, 2006 at 4:50 PM
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RONJJ22
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[quote:3292fcfbe3="mvannessjr"]Try this... Let the car sit for a few hours and drive it around at city speeds... 25-35MPH and see if the car stalls when coming to a stop. If the car doesn't stall take it close to home or a service center and break 45-50MPH... This will engage the TCC. Try slowing down and see if the car stalls. If it does, your TCC solenoid is toast. If it doesn't then look at the neutral safety switch as a problem.[/quote:3292fcfbe3]


Day two: I have just finished driving the vehicle for over two hour at speeds over 60 mph. I was attemping to run the gas that I believe is bad out of the vehicle. I made a stop and as I slowed down the vehicle began to shutter then cut off. I did not get an opportunity to drain the tank of the bad gas and I did put more gas in the vehicle. Please advise. Thanks.
Mar 11, 2006 at 8:14 AM
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JPAM
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id try out the little test that mvannessjr posted before you repost.. pretty sure its not a bad gas problem.. I was thinking TCC solenoid myself but couldnt remember the name of it in my last post.. thnks jess s./
Mar 11, 2006 at 11:52 AM
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RONJJ22
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Mr problem has returned intermittently. You folks seem to think it is the torque converter soleniod? Any other thought? I am going to a transmission shop to have it checked out. Thanks.
Mar 13, 2006 at 9:21 AM
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MVANNESSJR
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Sounds like a classic torque convertor solenoid issue... Basically the torque convertor only kicks in when you exceed 40-45MPH and if it doesn't disengage it is like driving a stick shift car without a clutch... It will eventually die and when you put it in gear before the TCC opens up the car will die. Get a couple of estimates, a full transmission shop may overcharge you as that is there specialty.
Mar 13, 2006 at 9:28 AM
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RONJJ22
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What do you think this repair will cost? I also have a situation where the first or second gear shift slowly. Is this a situation where I should think about getting the transmission rebuilt (what do you think this will cost) or can they just replace the torque converter solenoid. I appreciate your assistance
Mar 13, 2006 at 9:36 AM
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MVANNESSJR
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Torque convertor should be between $100-$150 depending on labor. The part for your car is roughly $40-$50 or more if from a dealer. I would get this replaced rather than doing a transmission job... That's often over $1000.
Mar 13, 2006 at 9:49 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the torque converter clutch (TCC) solenoid rather than rebuilding the transmission. The part is roughly $40-$50 and the job about $100-$150 with labor; a dealer part may cost more, and a transmission shop may overcharge. The stall after highway speeds, when slowing or shifting into drive, matches a TCC that engages above about 40-45 mph and fails to release. If it also stalls at low city speeds without converter lockup, have the neutral safety switch checked. Bad gas was considered unlikely.

Conversation Summary

A 1994 Cutlass Ciera with a 4-cylinder engine and about 139,000 miles shuddered and stalled when stopping, then died again when shifted into drive, though it would stay running if revved in neutral first. The owner suspected bad gas and noted a slight transmission leak and slow 1-2 shifts. After highway driving above 60 mph, it still shuddered and shut off while slowing. Experts ruled out bad fuel and identified a classic TCC solenoid failure: the converter locks above about 40-45 mph and stalls the engine if it does not release. They advised replacing the solenoid for roughly $100-$150 instead of a transmission rebuild often costing over $1000.

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