# Stalling Minivan...Please HELP! THE WIFE IS SHOPPING ALREADY **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** stall, engines\ **Created:** [July 20, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985 "2007-07-20T19:25:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VAChiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e68b1a/32.png) [@VAChiro](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VAChiro)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/1 "2007-07-20T19:25:32Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/2 "2007-07-20T21:53:43Z")
Anybody? ---
**Author:** ![americar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/americar/32/42_2.png) [@americar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/americar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2007, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/3 "2007-07-20T23:23:29Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 4:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/4 "2007-07-21T04:42:18Z")
I’ll second the Idle Air valve. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 5:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/5 "2007-07-21T05:14:52Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 5:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/6 "2007-07-21T05:17:38Z")
The torque converter can, also, STAY locked down to zero mph, whereupon, it will stall the engine. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/7 "2007-07-23T15:35:44Z")
Torque converter has been checked by a trusted transmission mech. Fuel filters were checked and replaced. New development-Check engine light came on yesterday ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/8 "2007-07-23T16:23:01Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/9 "2007-07-25T20:53:29Z")
Check engine light indicated a crank sensor went. Had it changed and it rides like a dream…so far. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 10:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stalling-minivan-please-help-the-wife-is-shopping-already/1985/10 "2007-07-27T22:15:11Z")
Rode like a dream for one day. Stalls at a stop. Help!