My 88 chevy celebrity has a problem?

Question

When i start the celebrity it will run fine. When i go and put it in gear the car will sputter out and die. could it be my computer or is it something else? I have been over the engine in that car and haven't found anything out of wack. btw the car is totally computerized. i need to find the problem so please help me. My friend said it might be a clogged fuel filter.

no check engine light. the car IS computer timed, it runs the idle fule mixture, It dose nearly everyting for that car.

Automatic tranny

Answer 1

car runs fine in park? dies when you put it in gear after it is warmed up after a drive? Will it start right back up and die again when you put it in gear? Works fine when cold or you let it sit overnight, then it does the same thing all over again?
If so your TCC solenoid is stuck on. The TCC solenoid is the Torque Converter Clutch solenoid that controls TCC lockup . The solenoid is inside the transmission behind the side cover not in the lower pan by the filter.
Try this.Let your car cool down and when your symptoms are NOT happening,shut your car off then Unplug the four wire connector on the transmission, then drive the vehicle and see what happens. If your symptoms are gone, then replace the TCC solenoid in the transmission.

Answer 2

The fuel filter is on the fuel pump.... and the fuel pump is in the fuel tank of an 88 celebrity.
Fuel filter is possible, but a PITA to fix. You could try putting a bottle of fuel cleaner in the tank.
when is the last time you had a tune up?
you may want to check your air filter, spark plugs, and wires (my 88 ate plug wires, put 3 sets on in 2 years)

Answer 3

You can GUESS yourself right into the poorhouse.
Run the diagnostics. Start with retrieving the diagnostic codes from the computer.

Go here-------->

http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-39.htm

...and scroll below the descriptions and follow the procedure. When you get the second "12", all the codes have been displayed.
Look at the code descriptions and identify the circuit or system that has failed. Secure a repair manual from the parts store or the library and follow the proper diagnostic and repair procedures.

Or Go Here------->

http://www.eautorepair.net/

...and for an annual subscription, you can have access to the professional level material for your car.

REMEMBER----> The codes identify a failure or fault in th circuit or system monitored by the computer, and NOT NECESSARILY a specific component.

Good Luck

Answer 4

is there any codes in the computer? Is the check engine soon light on? I need some more information. It sounds to me like you either have to much fuel or not enough fuel. You can tell that by looking at your oxygen sensor readings.

Answer 5

Check the fuel filter.

Answer 6

may be a vaccum leak around throttle body get some ether and spray around at the base of the throttle body and see if the idle picks up also you can try unplugging vaccum booster behind the master cylinder and hold your thumb over the end and have someone put it in gear with them also holding breaks! if that works its a bad vaccum booster , if the idle picks up after spraying ether around base of threottle body it a throttle body gasket letting it suck in too much air!

Answer 7

Is it automatic? Try starting it and putting it in 2nd gear. If that works it's your tourque converter solenoid on the tranny. I have a chevy, and that's what it was.

Answer 8

"btw the car is totally computerized"

Uh, at that time, they weren't "totally computerized" at least not like they are today.

Is the "check engine" light on?

This could literally be "anything", including the fuel filter but also the tranny.

Answer 9

clogged fuel filter would also be my first guess. Start with the inexpensive things like that first.

Answer 10

Check spark plugs and ignition timing