92 Skylark Stalls after Highway driving

[randyz116]

Hi,

I have a 92 with a V6 3.3. While I'm driving on the highway the car is OK.

When I get off the highway and pull up to the exit ramp the car stumbles and stalls.

I restart the car OK and the idle goes upto 2500 RPM and slowly comes back down.

When I put the car into drive it stalls out again.

I eventually shut off the engine and wait for a few minutes, restart and all is OK.

Any ideas?

Randy

[dewaynep]

Sounds like a TCC problem. The lockup on the TCC may not be unlocking. That is the direction I would look. There is a pretty good explanation at http://www.montecarloss.com/TCC_Solenoid.html .

[randyz116]

Hi,

My car does not have overdrive,

Randy

[Tom_SF]

Check the vacuum hoses. There's one near the fan and battery. Also check the PCV pipe. It could have an air leak in it.

[bstrom1953]

Are SURE your car doesn't have Overdrive. The term Overdrive is a misnomer. Overdrive implies shifting into a gear ratio that is less than 1 to 1. On this three speed transmission, the "Overdrive" is accomplished by locking up the torque converter to the flywheel so there is absolutely no slippage. This produces better gas mileage.

Your symptoms sound exactly like a torque converter that is failing to unlock as a previous responder said. It is usually caused by a sticky solenoid that controls the lock-unlock. I have replaced that solenoid on my 91 Skylark to solve the problem you described.

You can also simply unplug the cable on the front of the tranny. This stops the tranny from ever locking up but you don't get as good mpg.

Also, the solenoid can be replaced without dropping the transaxle (huge amount of work). Contrary to what many shops say, the cover on the tranny can be removed and the TCC replace, all in about 1 hour.

[randyz116]

How can I tell if I have overdrive.

The transmission show P,R,N,D,2,1

Randy

[bstrom1953]

If you have a tachometer, take the car briskly up to 50-60 mph. After you reach a constant speed, watch the tach and it will suddenly drop between 200 and 500 rpms. That's when the torque converter locks up. If it has in fact locked up, you can unlock it simply by accelerating sharply. You will see the tach jump back up as the car begins accelerating.

If you don't have a tach, you must listen to the engine and feel a slight surge when the converter locks. Remember, the converter will only lock up when you are at "cruising speed", not under acceleration. Then accelerate sharply and you will hear the engine increase in rpms and feel it unlock as the car accelerates. It feels just like having another gear, like you are driving a four speed, but it's not.

One question: After you restart your car, when you put it in gear, does it try to take off with a jerk or lurch and then die? That's what they do when the converter is stuck in the locked position. You feel like you need to push in the clutch (if was a stick) but there is no clutch! You also said the problem shows up after longer periods of driving. Those transmissions were notorious for locking up after they got good and hot. The plastic in the solenoid swells from the oil and the heat swells the solenoid steel plunger. Together you have a sticky solenoid. Let the car cool and the solenoid slides freely and the converter unlocks.

FYI, the converter will always unlock when you step on the brake or let up on the throttle. THen when you resume crusing speed, it will lock back up.

My car has a 3T40 tranny, turbohydramatic 125.

Hope this helps.

[randyz116]

Hi,

The car does the 2 things you describe.

A drop in the RPM's when I'm cruising and let up on the pedal.
When its bad it feels like it is going to stall.

After stalling out it starts up OK but it does stall when I throw it in gear.

Is the solenoid hard to change?
Thanks,
Randy

[bstrom1953]

If you have some experience working on cars, you should be able to do this. First, be sure you are working on a 3T40. It's printed on the bottom of the tranny oil pan.

Jack up the car and put jack stands or something safe under it so you don't get crushed, take off the driver's side tire. There may be a plastic or rubbery splash guard you need to remove so that you can see the cover on the tranny. The cover is basically round and about 8 inches in diameter if I recall correctly. THere are about 8 bolts to take out...about a half cup of oil will leak out and then stop so don't panic. The cover comes out with a little wiggling, at least it did on my 91 Skylark...take your time.

THe solenoid is mounted on the bottom...lay on your back or side to work on it. You will see two wires leading to it. The new solenoid I bought at Napa had some wire connectors supplied to allow you to splice the new solenoid wires into place. Be sure to observe the polarity since reversing the wires on a solenoid reverses the current flow and will reverse the direction it pulls or pushes. INstall the new solenoid. Splice the wires.

Put the cover back. I was told the cover has a teflon gasket or something like that. Anyway, it is supposed to be reusable so you don't need silicon sealer or anything. Mine went back together with no goop and it didn't leak.

Check you ATF level before testing. Good luck.

[randyz116]

Hi,

Thanks so much. I finally got around to disconnecting the TCC solenoid.

I then took it for a ride and it DID NOT STALL!

Will having the solenoid disconnected cause the service engine soon light to com on?

Thank you so much,

Randy