Uh-oh... 1998 V6 Auto Mustang bucks and stalls when put in gear

Siraco · 01-12-2008

This doesn't sound too good folks. I have a 98 v6 Stang, pretty much bone stock, with just the CAI and a 40 series Flowmaster... 103400 miles. Ran like a top until today.... I was going about 40, and was slowing down at a red light. I felt the car buck alot, and when I finally came to the stop, the car just died. I started it again, in park, and it idles fine, i hear no noises and smell no smells- nothing at all is leaking. But, the second I put it into Reverse, Drive, 2 or 1, it bucks a little bit and immediately stalls out, and it stalls out quick and hard.... It almost feels like stalling out driving a stick-shift.

I have no idea what the heck it could be

.... I was told it is probably not the torque converter because I would have seen some leakage (right?) ... This sucks!!! Haha

Well basically I am wondering, what is it and how much am i looking at to fix it; could I do it myself, etc. Any input at all would be greatly appreciated, I know you folks know what you're talking about. Thanks a ton.

---Siraco

p.s- I DID hit a pretty big puddle yesterday, lightning struck a house a few houses down from me and broke the water main... Maybe it is just a shorted wire or a dirty / malfunctioning sensor? God, that'd be good news, haha.

Siraco · 01-13-2008

Also guys... No check engine light comes on when the car is running. I am stumped.

LCilla · 01-13-2008

sounds like a vacum leak i had on 98 taurus.... your able to start it and idle it but once you throw it in any gear it falls on its face and dies yea? check the vacum lines.. might of been a dryed out one that just decided to give.. also might wanna check o2 sensors if the car was sitting in alot of water... but im just throwing out things before ripping apart the trans...

Siraco · 01-13-2008

Where am I looking for the vaccum leak? From the undercarriage near the tranny, or possibly in the engine bay?

Would my cars engine light come on for a vaccum leak from the tranny?

Mustang Nazi · 01-13-2008

The transmission, Most likely the torque converter locking up.
When you are driving and apply the breaks, the torque converter should unlock.
An easy way to test this is drive in your highest gear at around 45 or so, keep it steady, now look at your tac and touch the breaks (very lightly) just enough to turn the break light on, the RPM should go up a couple hundred.

Siraco · 01-18-2008

Okay, major update, i tried dropping it into gear at around 1500 rpm ( owwww ), and it moved and didn't stall... but the second i slowed down it did.. hmm...