Stalling Minivan...Please HELP! THE WIFE IS SHOPPING ALREADY

2000 Mercury Villager with 87K miles on it that stalls while in gear at a stop. Idles nice in Neutral and Park. Bucks at 40-60MPH. Happening for one year already and mechanics can’t reproduce it. No check engine light.



Have already done: Changed Mass Air Flow Sensor; changed plugs, wires, rotor, distributer cap, serviced feul system; tuned electronic ignition; replaced distributor; had transmission diagnosed with no problems.



I just made my last payment on the car and would like to drive it payment free for a little while. Please help!



Nick

Anybody?

Possibly a malfunctioning idle air control valve. If you are in park, and turn on the A/C does the idle go down significantly? If so then a possible IAC problem, if not then it could be a problem with the transmission torque converter not unlocking.

I’ll second the Idle Air valve.

If the fuel filter is dirty, it can hamper acceleration, and limit (cause hesitations) during higher speeds. Has the fuel FILTER been changed? The torque converter locks at 35 mph (speed going up), and unlocks at about 35 mph when speed is coming down. What can happen is, the torque converter can lock and unlock, repeatedly, causing the vehicle to jerk each time. If the torque converter is suspect, it can be neutralized — maybe a relay, or maybe a fuse marked TCC or something.

The torque converter can, also, STAY locked down to zero mph, whereupon, it will stall the engine.

Torque converter has been checked by a trusted transmission mech. Fuel filters were checked and replaced.
New development-Check engine light came on yesterday

If the mechanics can’t reproduce certain conditions, then, how are they going to “check” a system and pronounce it in prefect health when the problems is intermittent, and doesn’t happen all the time? The TCC (Torque Converter Control) system is one of those which can be intermittent and the problem can be non-reproducible when checked. It’s usually a simple matter of pulling the TCC fuse or relay, drive the vehicle for a few days, see if the problem occurs, or not. If it still occurs, one tries something else. There isn’t always a one-shot “silver bullet”. The check engine light code can be read at Auto Zone, or other auto parts store, for free. Bring it here for interpretation and comments.

Check engine light indicated a crank sensor went.
Had it changed and it rides like a dream…so far.

Rode like a dream for one day.
Stalls at a stop.
Help!