why does my automatic car stall when I come to a stop, I need to put it in neutral so it doesn't die?

Question

I put it in neutral so it doesn't die, it's fine in park and neutral; but in reverse or drive it wants to die when I come to a stop

My car is a 2001 Saturn, been quite awhile since I've had a tune-up.

Answer 1

What's causing that is that your torque convertor is locking up inappropriately. This can be caused by a bad TCC (torque converter clutch) solenoid or by a faulty torque converter itself. It is usually just the TCC solenoid itself, and is usually accompanied by the Check Engine light being on. Your first step is to take it to a transmission shop and let them run a code scan on your car. They should be able to tell from the codes whether it is a bad TCC solenoid or a bad converter.
Good luck, hope this will help.

Answer 2

Automatic Car Stalling

Answer 3

Does it stall as soon as you put it into gear? It won't idle with the transmission in D or R, but in P and N it idles OK? I have to agree with those who say it's the lockup torque converter. I've had this problem. Each model is different; some vehicles use a solenoid to engage and disengage the lockup, others use hydraulics that are activated by engine vacuum level.

I'm not sure how Saturn does it, but take it to a mechanic who knows the car, and have them diagnose the situation. If you aren't willing to spend the big bucks to get it fixed, they may be able to bypass the lockup so that the transmission acts like a non-lockup transmission. That will allow you to drive the car, but it will knock a bit off the gas mileage. Good luck.

Answer 4

Well to be honest it takes a bit more info than that but here are a few ideas, First of all when was thwe last time that you gave it a tune up? simply chaging plugs and wires can cease stalling but we need to know what kind of car, what motor, and is it throttle body, fuel injected, or carbuerated.Also info on trans option a big help. Fords and Chevys are both common to have a lock-up style torque converter and this going bad will cause a whole bunch of stalling. please send more info so I can give a better answer.

Answer 5

my car did the same thing,so i took it to the shop where i alway's go for repair's.it had too be connected a machine and it was a vaccum hose leak.when fixed it made a big defferenceand and no more trouble

Answer 6

the lockup torque converter switch has gone bad. it works off the brake pedal and there is a switch in the front of the trans. it's not a big cost thing but unless you are a good back yard mech i would take it to a trans. shop. you can unplug the switch on the trans and it will not hurt a thing but a little gas malige.

Answer 7

You may have a lockup torque converter problem. The best thing is to take it to a Good transmission shop and have them check it out.

Answer 8

Yeah, mine has begun doing that, and I notice that the rpm's are sometimes dropping below normal just before dying. I think it is the Oxygen ( O2) sensor needing replacing or the fuel injectors need cleaning.

Answer 9

I had similar trouble and I had to have it serviced and the bands adjusted.It also could be that the engine needs a tune up. The transmission may not be the real problem. Good luck!

Answer 10

the reason your car die,s while it is in idle. is because your timing chain or your timing belt is off the setting it needs to be set at. you can have it serviced by someone. or you could do it yourself by buying a timing light. also check your spark plugs and spark plug wires and also chech your throttle cabel. this should help you with your car