1991 Pontiac Sunbird car stalls in gear

1991 PONTIAC SUNBIRD
110,448 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
RD00Z@YAHOO.COM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Can drive the car for awhile, then when you come to a stop, the car stalls like it isn't disengaging, like if you have a clutch and failed to push it in.
The motor will turn over but when you put it into gear it stalls again.
Then after it sits for awhile, it will start and be able to shift into drive.
Sep 29, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
MMPRINCE4000
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 8,548 POSTS
The TCC (torque converter clutch) is not releasing.
When the car shifts into 3rd, it will (at a certain speed) "shift" again, or feels like a shift. This is the torque converter lock up. It drops rpm by 300-400. and will save a few gallons of gas.

There is a small 4 prong weather pak connector on the side of the trans. usually white, pink or blue. You can disconnect this and it will prevent the TCC from locking up. This should solve the immediate problem.

They can be replaced (in most cases) without removing the trans.
Sep 30, 2008 at 4:18 AM