Engine Stalls Out

[hauck]

I have a 91 chevy lumina with the 3.1 motor. When you slow to stop the car begins to surge and stall out a few times before the engine eventually stops. It will immediately start back up and idles fine but as soon as it is put into drive, it kills. This only occurs once the motor is really warmed up(driven for 45 minutes). If you let it sit for a minute or two you will then be able to put it into drive without the motor killing. It seems as though the engine is being starved of air or fuel. If you floor it while it is dying it seems to fix it for awhile. I've replaced the fuel and air filters. I thought I heard a vacuum when I opened the gas tank, and it made sense that the tank wasn't venting, so I replaced the fuel cap. I've also added injector cleaner. We've had it to a mechanic but they haven't been able to fix it. I also replaced the PCV valve, I can't remember what I did that for. Another thing is that it usually only stalls when the air temperature is warm (>40 deg f) although it did do it today and it's like 10 deg out. If anyone has any ideas for things I could check I would really appreciate some help. Thanks.

[jsgold]

Sounds like TCC solenoid. Engine shudders when slowing down like an old standard shift car stuck in high gear. Starts OK but stalls as soon s put into gear. Has to fixed by a transmission shop (it is IN the transmission) and costs anywhere from 150-250+ to fix due to labor, and flushing of transmission. Happens when car is warmed up.You can unhook the plug for it (provided you have a 3 speed trans.) and drive as before, but will get less gas mileage. People drive them that way for years, but if you do a lot of interstate driving it might be best to get it fixed. The plug should be under your air cleaner assy. remove hose and filter cover, and filter. Should be a single bolt holding the filter holder down. remove it, and you should see a 4 prong plug running to transmission. Unplug it and try it out.

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by jsgold

Sounds like TCC solenoid. Engine shudders when slowing down like an old standard shift car stuck in high gear. Starts OK but stalls as soon s put into gear. Has to fixed by a transmission shop (it is IN the transmission) and costs anywhere from 150-250+ to fix due to labor, and flushing of transmission. Happens when car is warmed up.You can unhook the plug for it (provided you have a 3 speed trans.) and drive as before, but will get less gas mileage. People drive them that way for years, but if you do a lot of interstate driving it might be best to get it fixed. The plug should be under your air cleaner assy. remove hose and filter cover, and filter. Should be a single bolt holding the filter holder down. remove it, and you should see a 4 prong plug running to transmission. Unplug it and try it out.

Doesnt have to be fixed at a shop if you are good with tools and common sense, parts cost under 40.00 its really not at all hard to do. If you search this board im sure you will find out how. But if you dont have tools, or unable to remove a few boltsand replace them, and follow simple logic and instructions,nor are willing to try, than better off having a shop do it.

[jsgold]

Parts are cheap, yes. The problem I hear is that on some of these they are hard to get at, say for example, Corsicas, which are similar in design. May not be as bad on a Lumina as it is a larger car wih more room to work. Would advise having some kind of manual though to walk them through it though. First thing is to unhook and see if that stops the stalling.

[Bamaboy1831]

Do you smell gas around the engine?