engine dies at a redlight

[pwebb]

hey guys, I have a problem with my son's 97 ranger 4X4 4.0/ He says when he stops at a red light the engine dies. It doesn't happen all the time. I took it to auto zone, they checked the error codes. One thing it showed was the air mas sensor. I took it to a garage. Charged me $135 to tell me the same thing. $35 for checking the code again, $30 for the part and $65 to put it on. two bolts and a wire plug. But he says its still dieing at a red light. Anyone had this problem? Or have any idea what else could cause this. Thanks in advance for any help or info, pwebb

 

[Hooligan]

How is it when it starts going from a stop? Any chugging lagging, problems getting up to speed up hills?

 

[pwebb]

engine dies

It runs good in a pull. No misses. Runs strong. However, it does need the trans pulled to replace a part that makes it shift. Sometimes the speedometer stops working and it will freewheel when there's no pressure on the trans. I've had the sensors changed on the rear-end and the one on the trans. Mechanic says the gear in the trans needs changed. The part cost around $30 with a $500 price tag for labor. I've been putting that off as long as possible. I don't think that would cause it to die while idling at a red light. But, I'm not a mechanic either

 

[Hooligan]

I think maybe you should get that issue taken care of knowing that it is a current issue. I'm no mechanic either, but it could be causing the issue.

 

[adsm08]

It runs good in a pull. No misses. Runs strong. However, it does need the trans pulled to replace a part that makes it shift. Sometimes the speedometer stops working and it will freewheel when there's no pressure on the trans. I've had the sensors changed on the rear-end and the one on the trans. Mechanic says the gear in the trans needs changed. The part cost around $30 with a $500 price tag for labor. I've been putting that off as long as possible. I don't think that would cause it to die while idling at a red light. But, I'm not a mechanic either

Huh? What exactly is the name of this "part that makes it shift"? I can't think of any of those that would require transmission removal.

 

[pwebb]

I don't know what its called. But I have been told by two different mechanics the trans has to come out to install a new one.

 

[mcdonald58]

You might be taking about the torque converter. Check for vacuum leaks and have you changed your fuel filter?

 

[pwebb]

I'd say it's been awhile on the fuel filter. The mechanics have said, the sensor that was changed on the trans attaches to a gear inside the trans, and that gear is either worn or broken. I would lean more toward the fuel filter or a vacuum leak. Hopefully it won't get any worse, spring is getting close. I'd rather try to fix it myself. That way I'll know for sure something has been changed or checked. Thanks for the input guys. When I stumble across the problem, I'll post it. Thanks to all

 

[adsm08]

I don't know what its called. But I have been told by two different mechanics the trans has to come out to install a new one.

Would you let a doctor cut into you without know what is wrong first? Don't shuck out a single dollar for car repairs (except for diagnostics) until you have had the problem explained in terms that you can understand.

You might be taking about the torque converter. Check for vacuum leaks and have you changed your fuel filter?

The torque converter doesn't "make it shift". The converter is just a coupling. It is two fan blades pointed at each other in a 2 gallon tub of trans fluid.


I can sit here an give you an in depth explanation of how an automatic transmission works.

The mechanics have said, the sensor that was changed on the trans attaches to a gear inside the trans, and that gear is either worn or broken.

^^ THIS^^ makes no sense. That means that you are either being handed a great big line of BS, or you need to start getting what they are telling you in writing.