I have a fiero 86 GT. When I start the car, it works great (but rpm keeps on moving between 1000 and 800). When the car gets warm (driving for about 1/2 hour), and I brake, the rpm goes down to 0 and the car shuts off. The engine runs when I start the car but only when the transmission is on PARK. AS soon as I put it to Drive , it shuts off. The only way I can drive is by starting the car, put it to neutral, keep the rpm at about 1000 and then put to Drive.
What could the problem be ? My engine has been rebuilt a year ago.
Transmission. Sounds like you have an automatic, the TCC (torque converter lockup) solenoid isn't functioning properly. There should be a connector on top of the transmission, I think it has a green wire, if you unplug it it'll keep it from stalling when you come to a stop. But that'll increase the wear on the transmission and hurt gas mileage, so its a good idea to fix the TCC.
Nah you don't have to change the whole torque converter, just the little solenoid. The process is...interesting. Take off the driver's side rear wheel, and the wheel well liner, and the transmission side cover. The solenoid is on the side of the transmission, it connects up at the top. If you have cruise control its hard to disconnect because you can't see the connection. Good luck with it. I fixed mine last year and no problems since.
You can also just disconnect the solenoid and drive a bit to see if that fixes the problem. If it does, you'll know it's the solenoid. You can drive like that a little while, but I wouldn't drive much, especially on the highway. I've heard the transmission can overheat if the lockup doesn't work. Around town should be ok, since it doesn't lock up until you get to steady state cruising speed.
IP: Logged
01:30 PM
cire36 Member
Posts: 674 From: Rio Rancho, NM Registered: Feb 2002
I had a 88 Torbo TA that would do the same thing. It turned out to be a massive vacuum leak. I had the car worked on and the mechanic did not tighten down the turbo all the way. I tightened it down and everything was fine.
IP: Logged
10:20 PM
Jul 31st, 2006
Tom Piantanida Member
Posts: 527 From: Palo Alto, CA, USA Registered: Oct 2004
There is another possibility that you should check out. If after the car warms up, the oil pressure drops too low, the fuel pump relay will not energize the fuel pump. It is a safety feature to prevents the engine from running with very low oil pressure. The fuel pump relay is energized at startup for a few seconds, so that could account for your ability to start the car, but not to keep it running once you put it in gear and the RPM (and oil pressure) drops. This possibility also accounts for the fact that the car will run when cold (and the oil pressure is higher.)
