Q–I own a 1988 Mercury Sable with 67,000 miles that has no pickup from a stop in heavy traffic in warm weather. It happened again on a recent 75-degree day and had to be towed. When the motor cools, the car runs. Why the malfunction only when it is warm? H.C., Chicago
A–Ask your technician to inspect the EEC-IV ignition module. They have been known to quit when warm and recover when they cool down. He may wish to direct a heat gun at the module while the car is running to see if it will die.
Q–I always read your column to see if I have encountered a problem that may be discussed and I was delighted to see that not only had I encountered the problem but also had the direct solution to “Motorist shudders at this problem” (Motormouth, March 26). It seems that the lead question also occurred to me with my 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais.
I had just picked up my car from the shop and about 10 miles into my trip home my car began to shudder as I slowed down to about 15 m.p.h. After a couple of stalls and restarts I coaxed the car the rest of the way home. My mechanic friend said the problem was in the TCC solenoid. We replaced it, and everything has been fine. Please pass this information along to F.F., Milwaukee. It is just a $35 part. W.D., Merrillville
Q–I read with interest F.F.’s letter from Milwaukee regarding his ’89 Pontiac Grand Am. Your diagnosis, I believe, is right on the money. Two years ago, I experienced the same situation with my ’89 Grand Am on an expressway. My local transmission shop replaced the lockup solenoid and, it’s been fine ever since. Keep up the good work! P.F. Hazel Crest
A–The TCC solenoid you mention is the for the torque converter clutch–the part that actuates the lockup converter–which we suspected caused F.F.’s problems. Thanks for backing us up.
Q–In my ’91 Buick, I often hear what sounds like water rushing through the dashboard. Is this normal? It has happened for the three years we have owned the car. B.L., Romeoville
A–You did not tell us when the sound occurs, but we suspect it is whenever you use the air conditioner or defroster (which causes the air conditioning to run). We suspect the sound you hear is the evaporator being flooded as the A/C compressor cycles off and on.
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Bob Weber is an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician. Write to Motormouth, 17717 Silcott Springs Rd., Purcellville, Va. 20132. Send e-mail with name and hometown to motormth1@aol.com. Answers are supplied only through the newspaper.
