Engine shuts off when transmission is put in gear

HEATHER SUGGS

MEMBER
1994 NISSAN SENTRA
1.6L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

I can start my car and it will set there and idle but as soon as I put it in reverse or drive it shuts off what could it be.

Thursday, March 15th, 2018 AT 1:18 PM

5 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

If you hold the idle up a little does it still stall? If not have the idle control system checked, if this is faulty as soon as the transmission load is applied the engine is not compensating for this and base idle is too low and the engine can stall.

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Thursday, March 15th, 2018 AT 8:31 PM

HEATHER SUGGS

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4 POSTS

Yes it does.

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Friday, March 16th, 2018 AT 7:35 AM

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

If you have not done so yet get the car scanned. First thought is that the throttle control switch is bad.

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Saturday, March 17th, 2018 AT 1:45 PM

HEATHER SUGGS

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Changed it

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Sunday, March 18th, 2018 AT 2:03 PM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

You will have to test for spark, injection pulse and fuel rail pressure when it shuts off, and get a tachometer reading idle no load and see if it starts to go up or just shuts off when the load is applied (putting into gear) this should show if it is an idle control problem.