1997 Ford Taurus Car dies when put in reverse or drive!

Tiny
MIKEDAMANIAC
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 16,000 MILES
My '97 ford taurus cranks just fine! It stays running just fine when in park or neutral. But as soon as you put the car in reverse or drive it dies automatically. When I rev it up in park, fluid comes out of the tailpipe, followed by a little bit of white smoke! I was thinking it could be bad gas because it started this shortly after I put $20 worth of gas in it! Could this be causing the problem, or is it likely something else?
Thursday, April 24th, 2008 AT 3:29 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
TAURUSWHEEL
  • MECHANIC
  • 718 POSTS
Any check engine light? Get it scanned anyway. True white smoke is coolant, no good. Torque converter could be locked up and not releasing, which could cause a stall, usually accompanied by an engine code set, good luck
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Monday, April 28th, 2008 AT 9:17 PM
Tiny
MIKEDAMANIAC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, the check engine light has been on since I've had the car. But this problem just started about a week and a half ago. It is not a lot of smoke, just enough that I noticed it for a second, after revving up! Thank you! I will see if we can get those things checked out.
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Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 AT 7:17 AM

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