92 SE 2.3 odd stalling problem

[GrandAmNot]

Sounds similar to Mr. Fixitnow's 94 ALDL post on 11-27 but thought I'd keep this seperate.

92 SE 2.3 Quad SOHC, 59,000 miles, new I-did-it head gasket this summer.

Runs great around town but will sometimes stall out after highway driving and then down to idle at probably the first stop light or stop sign. Not sure if its just the higher speed or the extended time at higher speed that makes it happen. I can feel it starting to conk out before coming to a stop and put it in nuetral so it doesn't stall. The engine idles fine and can rev it up and down with no problem. But have to put it back in gear (put a load on the engine) and stall a couple or a few times and then everything is fine again.
Could it be the IAC as in Fixitnow's problem? Way too many switches and sensors these days and have tried to imagine which or what might be acting up only after the highway time or speed and then maybe cooling down or re-setting itself.
It would do this once in a while before the head gasket job and for the first time since then just the other day after the 30 miles to my mom's place and then again after the 30 miles back home. Pretty sure I've been on the highway a couple times since the gasket job without the problem.
Thanks in advance.

PS: Thanks again to all for your help with the head gasket job. Think I'll keep the Grand Am and sell the Taurus I baught at the time.

[xeroinfinity]

It sounds like the TCC-Torque Converter Clutch solenoid isnt disengaging when you come to a stop.
This is a typical problem with this years of fwd model pontiacs.

the TCC is in the vavle body on the driverside of the trany.
It can be done DIY without removing the transaxle,
Here is a link to the procedures,

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doityourself/l/aa011703b.htm


Hope that helps.

[GrandAmNot]

Read the procedure for the solenoid swap - YIKES. Even if I thought I could pull it off I don't think I'd care to try that one in the garage. In December! In Michigan! Just maybe I'd try it in the summer time.
But by the sound of it I think I'd rather have to do the head gasket again.

What is the TCC sensor actually sensing/monitoring?
When/why/what makes it normally engage and disengage?
Why does it disengage after a couple of start and stalls?
Is the lurching/stalling sort of like whacking a stubborn starter motor?
Would it disengage if I just waited a few minutes insead of the start/stalls?

The lurching and stalling is probably hard on everything but any serious damage to be done by living with the problem for a while and just planning for the post freeway stalls.
Will check with a couple of my favorite mechanics on what kind of damage they might want to do to my wallet.

Thanks again

[xeroinfinity]

I thought that link told you Everything you would want to know, but i guess it doesnt.

But to answer your question on what it does.
When the car reachs above 30mph the ECU tells the TCC to Lockup the torque converter up so you get full power from the drivetrain.
So when you slow down below 30mph its supposed to release the lockout and allowing you to stop.
Its kinda like a clutch in a manual trany, if it doesnt disengage at a stop its like stoping in a manual car with out pushing in the clutch and gets all jerky and stalls or dies.

At first it'll just be intermitant, as it fails your stop and starts (when the trany is hot) will become more difficult.

[GrandAmNot]

Sorry about that. Read the procedure and the A/T Diagnostic piece. Missed the TCC diagnostic piece. Lots of goodies there. Still wish it were summertime, though. My fingers can get achingly cold pretty quick and easy.
Was out running errands yesterday at upwards of 50-55 mph at times on some of the surface streets. No stalling problems. Maybe the TCC is waiting for 60 or 70 mph before locking.
Think I've actually got an old analog meter here somewhere and guess I'll hold off on selling the Taurus for little while longer.
Don't remember where or when I first found AutomotiveForums but sure am glad I did. And now there's the AutoRepair site to check, too.
Thanks again and Happy Holidays.

[xeroinfinity]

No problem, and you are Welcome.

And Happy Holidays to you too.

[GrandAmNot]

Just saw a newer post on the same problem and remembered I hadn't finished this post. Made another small boat payment for the guys at my favorite shop.
Had them do the TCC solenoid and all is well.

Thanks again.