1991 Pontiac Sunbird car stalls in gear

Tiny
RD00Z
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 PONTIAC SUNBIRD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,448 MILES
Can drive the car for awhile, then when you come to a stop, the car stalls like it isn't disengaging, like if you have a clutch and failed to push it in.
The motor will turn over but when you put it into gear it stalls again.
Then after it sits for awhile, it will start and be able to shift into drive.
Monday, September 29th, 2008 AT 10:57 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
The TCC (torque converter clutch) is not releasing.
When the car shifts into 3rd, it will (at a certain speed) "shift" again, or feels like a shift. This is the torque converter lock up. It drops rpm by 300-400. And will save a few gallons of gas.

There is a small 4 prong weather pak connector on the side of the trans. Usually white, pink or blue. You can disconnect this and it will prevent the TCC from locking up. This should solve the immediate problem.

They can be replaced (in most cases) without removing the trans.
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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 AT 4:18 AM

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