90 Lumina-dies at light-check engine-over 45 drags

EmRose · 11-07-2006, 02:02 AM

ok, i have a 90 chevy lumina 4 dr..v-6 i believe. It has had problems in past. Recently replaced harness on vacuum lines. New problem that has progressed is after driving for awhile the check engine light comes on, anything over 45 the car doesn't want to shift-kinda clunks ad drags, stopping at a light or waiting to turn etc...is the biggest problem. i have to put it in neutral and apply the gas in order to keep it from stalling..otherwise it will shake and lunge forward, and then die. The problem has only got worse. My husband left for the ARMy and I do not have a way or the $ to go to a mechanic right now. Does anyone have a guess at the problem? Fuel pump? fuel filter? carbuerator? vacuum lines? would a tune up help? any help is appreciated, thanks! oh and does anyone know a reliable, affordable mechanic near lewisville?

richtazz · 11-07-2006, 06:50 AM

It sounds like the transmission's torque converter isn't unlocking when you come to a stop or attempt to accelerate once you reach 40-45 mph. There is an electrical connector in the front of the transmission case toward the front of the car on the driver's side that controls lockup. It's about 1" square and should have 4 wires. In your year car, it can be disconnected to see if the problem goes away. The only issues will be slightly hotter trans fluid temps on a long trip, and a slight decrease in highway mileage. I've known people that disconnected the TCC and never hooked it back up with no ill effects. If disconnecting that harness fixes the issue, you need a new TCC solenoid, which may require dropping the engine/trans down to gain access if the trans side cover won't clear the subframe rail.

EmRose · 11-07-2006, 12:58 PM

ok i'll try that today before I take it to anyone to look at it...i might be better off just pushing it until it dies because in april we will get stationed elsewhere, and this car isn't worth taking..so hopefully that helps..thanks

EmRose · 11-09-2006, 01:56 PM

well, i looked and the only 1 inch square i found was the fuel pump relay and it didnt have 4 wires. So I guess I need to take it to get looked at. It hasn't had a tune up in almost 5 yrs so i guess it couldn't hurt, maybe they'll find the problem. But the last 2 days it actually not acted up..so who knows.

richtazz · 11-10-2006, 10:07 AM

here's a link to a picture showing the general location of the connector you're looking for, it's off A-Z's web site. Scroll down through the diagrams until you find the one for your engine (3.1). Click on it and it will bring it up in another window so you can read it. It will be figure #5 on the page, and component #5 in the diagram for your car.

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800ed2a3.jsp

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD