QuestionTim, if this turns out to be the case, is there a cheap or easy fix? I know on some cars, maybe GM's, don't remember, you can pull the side pan and disconnect the solenoid for the lock up converter. Is there any such fix for the Probe? hanks again for all your help!
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I have a 1990 Ford Probe, automatic. The car will idle fine and displays no other problems. However, as soon as the car is placed in gear, it kills the engine. I do not know if these cars used a lock up converter, or even what that is, but I have been told by others who ARE NOT experts to check this. Can you help?
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Jim,
Yes, a stuck locking torque converter will stall the engine when put into gear. The only good way to test this is using a pressure gauge on the transmission. It must build enough pressure to hold the torque converter off. I suggest letting a good mechanic or transmission shop look at it.
AnswerJim,
Yes that is true on the older GM cars that you could unplug the converter solenoid. However, I believe your probe has a Mazda transmission and it needs to build enough pressure to hold the converter unlocked. So unplugging the solenoid would not fix the problem. It can be a tricky problem to diagnose since the hydraulics in a automatic transmission can be complex.
