1994 Pontiac Sunbird Stalls in Gear

1994 PONTIAC SUNBIRD
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NATFORMULA
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  • 1 POST
my mom has recently purchased a 94 pontiac sunbird, with 101,000 miles on it and the problem is that now it will start and sit there forever nothing wrong. Until she tries to put it into gear, the second its in gear it stalls out. It's an automatic. And she has tried giving it gas while she put it in gear and it didn't help. What is wrong with this car?
May 18, 2006 at 10:10 AM
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LOSONE
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I suspect the torgue converter is locked up making it like trying to move a 5sp with out using the clutch.

To check it out, find the brake light switch under the dash by the brake pedal. Cut the purple wire. If it drives OK then you have a bad lock up portion of the torgue converter.

It can be driven as long as not too fast or long trips. Back and forth to the store is OK Too fasty will ruin the tranny. Good Luck
May 18, 2006 at 10:14 AM
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Suggested Repair

Suspect a locked torque converter. As a test, locate the brake light switch under the dash by the brake pedal and cut the purple wire. If the car then drives without stalling, the lockup portion of the torque converter is bad. Short, low-speed trips may be possible, but avoid high speeds and long trips to prevent transmission damage.

Conversation Summary

A 1994 Pontiac Sunbird with about 101,000 miles starts and idles normally but stalls as soon as the automatic transmission is put into gear, even when the throttle is applied. The expert suspects a locked torque converter and recommends cutting the purple wire at the brake light switch as a test. If the car then drives normally, the converter lockup is faulty. Limited short trips may be acceptable, but driving too fast or too far can damage the transmission.

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