Okay, I posted a problem I had previously.
I've gotten some info, but I don't think the info I've gotten is helpful in my situation. Which isn't to say that it isn't appreciated, just not for me.
I have a 90 Aerostar with an auto transmission that dies when put in gear. It idles fine and keeps running fine even if I give it gas. As soon as I put it in any gear, it dies. I've kept it running in neutral and it keeps running fine. Also, it doesn't have to engage fully. If I hold the little button on the side of the shifter, it'll still die. It seems like it dies just by having the shifter in any position other than Park or Neutral.
A shop told me it was a transmission problem, but I'm pretty sure this isn't it. I tried holding the brake down, giving it gas and then shifting and releasing the brake. It squealed the tires and tried to go, but then just died. I figure if it was a tranny problem, it would grind at least some, but this isn't happening.
Another problem is that the battery is draining. I never had this problem, but now it's happened twice since it died. I'm not discharging it by trying to start it. I was just outside with it and it kept starting perfectly fine. I left it alone for a bit and then tried starting it, but it was dead.
The drained battery made a friend of mine think it was a short somewhere that may be causing all of these problems. Are there any wires that would be the likeliest, given all of this?
Thanks!
Joe.

 

the stalling problem makes me think of a vacume line off. but it would run rough at idle too i think. its worth a check of all vacume lines on engine....need other info, like , things replaced lately, when did this start, they may help. it may sound stupid, but you could jack up the rear, and try to shift into drive to see if the tranny is turning the drive train, or seized up, just don't launch it through your garage!!!!. rick

 

I've owned an '87 and now a '96. The '87 had the shifter on the floor, the '96 on the column. What is the button on the shfter you referred to? Is it the lock or the O/D?

This is how I have been troubleshooting battery draws: I hook up an ampmeter between a battery post and the cable and measure the draw. Since I primarily work on heavy equipment, I disconnect the alternator (usual culprit). Then I measure again. If the draw is still there, then I start pulling fuses to isolate the system. Once you've isolated the system, it's a case of disconnecting components and harnesses in that circuit to find the gremlin. Be patient.

Let us know what you find.

 

I think your torque converter lockup is not releasing, hence it idles fine but dies when you put it in gear. What you might want to do is jack up all 4 tires off the floor (if you have 4WD, or only the rear 2 if you have 2WD), then engage the gear. If it doesn't die, then that's your problem for sure.

 

Excellent point made by copper. If the engine doesn't die, then try this. Put all four wheels on the ground. Disconnect the harness to the transmission (provided your trans is the same as an '87 A4LD. Don't disconnect the one on the shift lever). Start, put in gear and see what happens. If the engine doesn't die, something is send power to the torque converter to lockup.

Good luck!

 

Joe:

If it was me, I would crawl under the van and look at all the wiring on the transmission.
Mostly what is around the shifter lever. I've read this post more that once plus your other post about this problem.

I would swear that you have a pinched/cut wire that you are grounding out when you move the shift-leaver. I say that because pushing in the button on the handle should do no more than lift the lock pin so you can move the handle.

If it killing the engine it has to be a short or there is just enough electrical power to keep the engine running & when you move the shifter you're pulling more power than it is putting out thus over-loading it.

Jay