Idles in park, drives in reverse, shuts off out when put in drive

THOMAS G. CASEY JR.

MEMBER
2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
3.4L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

Starts and runs great in park, runs great in reverse, put in drive and it bucks and shuts off. If in drive I give it gas it bucks than takes off, well driving if I let off gas it starts bucking and if I stop it shuts off. Just did plugs and wires a few weeks ago, also flushed the coolant system.
Any ideas of what it could be would be great? Thank you.

7 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

If it is only doing it in drive and not reverse, it sounds like something in the transmission.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-surges

The torque converter is a common issue for this due to it locking up when it is not supposed to.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

Usually, it will code for this and give you a check engine light. Is the light on and if it is, do you know the code?

One other thought. There is a pressure regulator for the fuel pressure on the fuel rail. There is a hose on it. Remove the hose and see if any fuel leaks out. That's a long shot guess but is possible.

Roy

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Sunday, June 30th, 2019 AT 8:07 AM

THOMAS G. CASEY JR.

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Is the torque converter the same part as torque converter clutch solenoid?

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Sunday, June 30th, 2019 AT 8:43 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

The solenoid controls the torque converter but is not the torque converter.

Did you have it scanned for codes?

Roy

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Sunday, June 30th, 2019 AT 8:46 AM

THOMAS G. CASEY JR.

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Working on finding a code scanner. It will stay running in drive at all any more. Tried to get to AutoZone to have it scanned and had to have it towed home. But still runs great in reverse.

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Sunday, June 30th, 2019 AT 8:51 AM

ASEMASTER6371