95 SL2 stalls at stop after 3,000rpm rev

[josed]

My 95 SL2 (90,000 mi) stalls when I slow down to <20mph if I rev it above 3,000rpm while driving. This has just recently started after having my transmission rebuilt and my alternator and valve gasket (?) replaced. I have spent far too much money having mechanics do my work for me so I would like to fix this myself if it is possible (I have no experience).

I have looked at all the other postings on stalling saturns and none seem to be having exactly this problem, as it only stalls while slowing down after I have reved it above 3,000 rpm on the freeway or passing someone. It always restarts without trouble.

Any help would be appreciated.

[sierrap615]

it may be a sticking EGR or IAC, cleaning them with carb and choke cleaner can't hurt. there is also a chance this may be caused by a bad ECT sensor - http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24003

[josed]

Thanks sierrap615, I think I am going to try cleaning the EGR and IAC first, as the ECT sensor was replaced a year ago. If the cleaning doesn't help I will pull out the ECT sensor and see if it needs replacing again.

An unfortunate extra point to this story was that after my tranny rebuild and valve gasket replacement (the spark plugs were soaked in oil), my water pump burst and had to be replaced. Does this sound like a blown head gasket or something less fatal?

[sierrap615]

you may also want to inspect the connectior for the ECT for any "gunk" possibly left by a bad old sensor. if it was replaced last year chances are you have the newer style it which case i doubt it failed again.

nothing you have said yet points even close to a head gasket. water pumps are one of the more common parts to fail on any car for any or no reason(my water pump failed because i had a hairline crack in my radiator).

stupid question i forgot to ask before - auto or manual transmission?

also inspect all wiring, if the tranmission was removed from the car it is possible a wire was pinched or misrouted during the reinstall, in which case when you slow down the engine can yank on the wire for a brief moment and open the circuit.

[josed]

I have an auto transmission.

I just ordered the Haynes guide and will be starting all of this work in the next couple of weeks when I get some extra time. Is most of the wiring that could have been pinched by the transmission replacement pretty easy to get at?

Thanks again for the help.

[sierrap615]

the wiring in general in not hard to get at. but like i said that is just a theory.