93 grand am

I just bought a 93 grand am w/4 cyl dohc quad engine automatic trans. the car starts and idles great but when i move the trans into gear it just dies. anybody know what could be the problem?

it kinda sounds like your TCC transaxle converter clutch in your tranny. mine went and it did the same thing

Most vehicles has a TCC solenoid which locks up when the vehicle is at cruising speed at the highway. This locking up of the TCC solenoid allows fuel economy while the transmission is at the highest gear. Once you slow down then this TCC solenoid is suppose to unlock and allows go down to the lower gear as the speed decreses.

The problem with the TCC solenoid if it is not working problem or if it is not disengaging from the highest gear is that the engine would die.

For example, trying to start a stick shift vehicle at the highest gear will not allow the engine to stay running.

For automatic transmission, the TCC solenoid is suppose to be disengaged from the highest gear which allows you start the vehicle and change gears slowly from low gear and then to the highest gear gradually. Once the transmission is at the highest gear (cruising speed), then the TCC solenoid locks the transmission at that speed fuel economy and the TCC solenoid should release if the vehicle is slowing.

Two solutions:
1. Replace the TCC solenoid. (Time to replace the transmission fluid/filter which is probably due for replacement anyways).
2. Disconnect the TCC solenoid wire which accessible from the engine bay at the top of the transmission. However, you won't get fuel economy since the TCC solenoid would lock up the transmission at cruising speed. However, you may not notice the difference if you are driving within the city.

i will try that and let you know. thanks.