Mercury Sable Station Wagon Stalls when braking

Hello,

I own a 1986 Mercury Station Wagon, Auto V6 (3.0L). I while ago i noticed that my car had tried to stall when i was comming up to a red light. I didnt take much notice to it and started it and it ran fine, untill it did it agian. I went home and asked my neightbours what could be wrong. They said Fuel Filter, changed it still stalled, Fuel Injectors were Clogged, Cleaned them still does it but not as much. it only does it once in a while or could be 5 times in a row. Any 1 know why???? im stumped

Bad TPS sensor, probably. You can read the EEC codes and find out for sure.

http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html

in english?

Throttle Position Sensor ..... Electronic Emmission Control

A bad TPS usually causes the engine to idle up and down, as if it was looking for the correct speed. Which it can't find because it dosen't know what position the throttle plate is in. Stalling in a car that age could be a clogged idle air solenoid, dirty throttle plate, or a torque converter not unlocking. I would try spraying Gum-Out in the throttle body, some injector cleaner in the gas tank, and a new trans filter. $35 and a Saturday should have you good as new. PS Maybe throw in a new air filter and PCV valve.

I had a new air filter recently and where is the TPS and all that is it inside the transmission? or is it in one of those books i do own the book. I also had some fuel injector cleaner in there too and its not doing as much only when i drive it a lot like i go on the freeway and then come to a stop it stalls or if ive been crusiing around for a while and i slow down and stop but i creep forward it stalls.

It really sounds like the torque converter is not unlocking. That's the part that connects the engine to the trans. It takes the place of a clutch for a manual trans. The torque converter is a fluid coupling that allows the engine to idle when the car is stopped. At a certain RPM the converter will lock it's halves together mechanically to increase miles per gallon. This is done by the Converter Locking Solenoid. If the converter does not unlock as you come to a stop, the engine has no choise but to stall. Just like stopping a manual trans without pushing the clutch pedal. Change the trans filter (chapter 1 of most Hayes books), then add a trans tune-up additive with the new fluid. Something like transKlean. Read the lable, you want something that says you can leave it in. In a week or so change the filter again. I'm assuming this is the first trans service this cars seen for a while.

So more or less it needs a trany flush and some cleaner or it needs a new seliod? or both? and for as long as ive known the car its hasnt seen a lot. I just fixed one of the shocks on it its was moving an inch up and down it was really looose

I hadn't taken that into consideration. What you should do is take a drive toward the coast (whichever you're closest to). About a 1/4 mile from the ocean put your foot to the floor. Drive straight toward the ocean, gathering all the speed you can. At the very moment the front tires touch the water roll down your window and yell, "HELLLLblubblubblub." This sould take care of everything. Have a great day!

Lol, Great good thing im about 3,000Km from the coast i dont think it would make it out of the city let alone the ocean. When i had bought the car ( off my mother for a Dollar, even though i think I over paid) she paid 700 for the car. It has new brake drums. Since ive had it ive taken better care of it and replaced that battery, alternator belt Fixed the rad leak, stopped the windshield washer fog on the windsheild, new tire (1), fixed that shock, oil change and filter new air filter and fuel filter.

But would a tranny flush stop the stalling or a new seliod.






'

I gotta admit, you're doing a good job! Just try the filter change. The solenoid is costly and is part of a $1400 rebuild. There are a couple of other small things you could try if this dosen't stop the stalling, but a little TLC for the tranny right now will do the most good toward streching that dollar investment out to the fullest! My local auto auction auctions off cars donated to Purple Heart. Last Thursday I bought a 94 Sable with 68,000 miles, all powers and a leather interior for $750. It had so many little problems the old owner just gave it away. My wife drives it every day now! What I'm saying is keep a look out for a replacement vehicle. Take your mom with you as she seems to know a good deal when she sees one. And since you seem willing to get your hands dirty, I'm sure you'll find one! Keep in touch. E-mail me if you need help. There's a link if you click on my user name.

Lol great thinking, We have Acutions here but my neightbour said theres a reason why they are there ( Lemons ). My mother wasnt the best at this but she did ok. She now lives in england and im about 10,000km away from that but im going to look. I saw a 1966 Charger for 2500 and it ran fine just needed body work

SWEET!!
Can't help ya with body work though, unless you have a chain and tree.

Oh btw the car when i go 30 km an hour moves about 1/2 a meter to each side (approx) should i be worried and if so what could it be??? Ball joints??? Control Arm??? The car itself, Wheel alingment??? Tires not balanced??? im only 17 and not very smart

YIKES! YES,you should be worried! Any car that changes lanes on its own not only jeopardizes your wellbeing, you are putting others at risk also. I know you're no dummy because your questions are intelligent and you want to learn. To find out what's wrong with the steering, start the car and turn the steering wheel with one finger. If you start with your finger at the 9 o'clock positon, it should only turn about 1/2 an inch (12 mm ?) before the front wheels move. If it's more, with the car in park, parking brake on, and rear wheels chocked, have someone turn the wheel as you watch the suspension. Do this from behind the front wheels, not under the car. There's nothing under there that moves. If something is moving before what it's connected to moves, that's your problem. Also check your rear wheels for loose wheel bearings or lug nuts. Remember, your only 17 and not very experienced. You gotta walk before you can run, and you're jogging pretty good. Make sure your front tire are both the same size. If they're not, the car will pull to side of the smaller one. This will also tear up that tranny.

Ive had it with my car its needs a more or less new front end. With the sabel you got to replace the control arm to replace the ball joints and i need new boots and steering studs. Im just going to drive it untill the deal I made with my Boss at work goes thorugh 1984 Lincoln Town Car for 2200 or he said he might finance it for me at 150 a month. Its in prefect running conditiona and the bodys spotless.