Engine shuts off when the transmission is shifted into drive, but only when the engine is warmed up

2004 DODGE NEON
100,000 MILES • AUTOMATIC
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KELLYMCO
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  • 1 POST
When the car is warm, and it is turned off when restarted it stalls very suddenly when put in drive. You can back out of the space but as soon as it is put in drive it stalls. There is no sputtering or sign that it is going to stall. It is a very sudden forceful stall. It does not happen if the car is cold.
Apr 11, 2022 at 3:05 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,240 POSTS
Hi,

Do you mean it feels like the clutch on a manual transmission is being left out too quickly? If that is the case, it sounds like it could be related to the torque converter.

By chance is the check engine light staying on while the engine is running? Does this ever happen when the engine is cold?

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
Apr 11, 2022 at 1:57 PM
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KELLYMCO
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Only when cold. Check engine light on.
Apr 12, 2022 at 5:28 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,240 POSTS
Okay, since the light is on and there is a transmission issue, we really need to scan the can-bus. CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, all the computers/modules are tied together via a few wires.

This type of scan will retrieve codes regardless of the module storing them. Here is a link that shows how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Let me know if that is something you can have done. Also, make sure the transmission fluid is clean and full.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

Let me know.

Joe
Apr 12, 2022 at 12:59 PM
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