Why does my 87 Chevy Celebrity keep stalling?

Question

I drive it for about 15-30 mins and works fine but after that it starts stalling when I stop or go really slow. It has about 147,000 miles. It is a 1987 Chevy Celebrity with a V6. Any help would be much aprecaited.

Answer 1

it is worn out and in need of repair more than likely

Answer 2

I own/have owned 7 1984-1988 Celebrities/Buick Centuries...and I do all of the work on my own cars. You don't give enough details to give a really informed diagnosis....but here's a problem that is notorious with the Celebrities/Centuries (GM "A" Bodies.)

There is a transmission pressure sensor switch that is prone to failure. It's an easy fix...the part costs about $40.00 and it mounts to the front of the transmission, right behind a plate located behind the drivers' side front tire. (I'm trying to remember the official name of the switch...I've replaced 3 of them over the years...but any Chevrolet parts counter guy will know exactly what you mean when you ask for it.)

http://experts.about.com/q/Chevrolet-Repair-808/1988-Chevy-Celebrity-torque.htm

What happens when this switch fails, is that after the engine/transmission gets warmed up after 15-30 minutes, the transmission won't downshift automatically when you slow down. In effect, the car gets stuck in third gear and stalls. If you're quick enough, you can put the car into neutral and the engine won't stall. But unless you let the transmission cool down for a few (10-20) minutes, if you put it into gear, the engine will stall immediately.

If this sounds like it might be the problem, it's important that you not lets someone talk you into a major transmission repair. Those without mechanical knowledge can easily be convinced by a garage that the transmission is in need of a $2,000.00 overhaul...when in fact, all it needs is a $40.00 switch and 30 minutes of labor to install it.

Hope this helps.

(Ironhand...above...got the part I was thinking of...TCC Solenoid..."TCC" = Torque Converter Clutch.)

Answer 3

There are a host of possibilities --
1) Overheating
2) Vapor lock (if carbureted)
3) fuel restriction or insufficient supply
4) malfunctioning TCC solenoid (transmission)
5) Failing Ignition control module
6) ---more---

It will take more and some specific information to go much further.
Another area to examine is the ECU's diagnostic codes.

Go here------>

http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-25.htm

...and scroll down below the descriptions for the procedure to retrieve the codes.
If there are codes to display, write them and refer to a repair manual for the PROPER DIAGNOSTIC and repair procedures.
NOTE------> Do not jump to merely replacing the component identified as the fault, but rather diagnose the whole circuit, as there are other items in the circuit that can contribute to a failure of the component.

Good Luck

Answer 4

mine did that too,and mine was the throttle position sensor,but it could be a restriction in the exhaust pipe somewhere.