Why does my car die as soon as I put it in gear?

Tiny
DIANA G O'
  • MEMBER
  • 1985 BMW 318I
  • 300,000 MILES
My car runs fine in neutral but does the minute I put it in gear
Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 AT 3:25 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Possible causes are idling speed is too low, engine performance is poor or there is a fault with the torque converter.
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Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 AT 3:39 PM
Tiny
DIANA G O'
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  • 5 POSTS
It was running fine hours before. What would be the most likely a answer with that in mind?
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2012 AT 5:25 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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What is the idling speed when it tends to stall? Are you able to restart easily?
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2012 AT 7:25 AM
Tiny
DIANA G O'
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It idles fine with or without giving it gas. As soon as I put it in gear, even giving it gas, it stalls.
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2012 AT 2:49 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Looks like you have a fault with the torque converter. This is an automatic transmission right?
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2012 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
DIANA G O'
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  • 5 POSTS
No. It's a manual
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 7:05 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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That would be something else and this is rather surprising.

Check if the air hose between air filter and throttle body is cracked. You need to move it little with engine running in neutral to see if it affects anything.

Check for wires etc that have gotten into the way of the clutch pedal and related moving parts of the clutch.
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 7:15 AM
Tiny
DIANA G O'
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  • 5 POSTS
Clutch cylinder?
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 7:18 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Clutch cylinder won't be affecting this. Pedal movement and linkages
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 8:42 AM

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