Truck stalls when shifted into drive?

blm26 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-21-2003, 04:31 PM

All,

I was just wondering if anybody had any prior experience with their truck stalling when they put the vehicle into drive (with the brake applied)? I did a few searches through previous posts and saw that people had trouble with their planetary gear locking up.

I am not entirely convinced that this is the problem though because in those cases the engine turned back over immediately. In my case, it only occurs when the truck is cold (as cold as it gets in Phoenix in November), and then when I try and restart the engine, it almost sounds like the starter is having trouble catching up with the engine. The truck shifts fine, so my gut feeling on this is either fuel delivery or something electrical, but I am not sure.

If it is my planetary gear, I was also wondering if this is covered under the extended powertrain warranty? I believe it is, but has anybody had their tranny fixed/replaced past the 3 year/36,000 mile original?

All input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
blm26

prkiller · #2 (**permalink**) 11-22-2003, 12:58 PM

I had a very similar problem. But it was intermitent. It would happen sometimes, and other times it would not stall.

It does sound like the tranny problem so many are having, although if it is not shifting into OD hard, or doing something else strang, then it may be something else.

I had my tranny replaced at 36400 miles under the powertrain part of the warranty.

You problem is going to be that it only does it sometimes. And when you take it to the dealer to get it fixed, it wont do it then. They will just say there is nothing wrong, and hand you a bill for "checking it out".

If it stalls when you put it into drive, what I did to get the truck home was start it in neutral, give it a slight, just a slight amount of throttle and put it into gear. It would not be smooth, but it gave the truck just enough of a jerk to get it moving without stalling!

MMitsock · #3 (**permalink**) 11-24-2003, 06:27 AM

I had the same problem on my '00 Tundra V-8. Found I had to count to 15 after starting the truck to let it warm up before shifting, then I installed new spark plugs, Bosch Platinum +4's and the stalling went away altogether.

blm26 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-24-2003, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMitsock

I had the same problem on my '00 Tundra V-8. Found I had to count to 15 after starting the truck to let it warm up before shifting, then I installed new spark plugs, Bosch Platinum +4's and the stalling went away altogether.

Was this typically when the truck was cold, or did it matter. The spark plugs could be the culprit. I guess I will look into changing them out here in the near future. Thanks for the help guys.

MMitsock · #5 (**permalink**) 11-24-2003, 07:46 AM

Yes, it started happening when the outside temp fell below 45 or so if I remember right.

mattjensen · #6 (**permalink**) 11-24-2003, 11:52 PM

i have the same proble, like if i start the truck up, and then instantly shift it into gear, when its cold. sometimes it will just shut off. almost as if i had turned the key. it doenst happen if i let the turck warm up for a fiew seconds. and then shift into gear. iam not worried about it.
matt

Amocat00 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-25-2003, 07:53 AM

I've been having this same problem. I have an '00 w/ 47k miles on it. I'm going to try the throttle body cleaning that I've seen on here and see if that helps because my truck idles slow on a regular basis anyway...

blm26 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-26-2003, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattjensen

i have the same proble, like if i start the truck up, and then instantly shift it into gear, when its cold. sometimes it will just shut off. almost as if i had turned the key. it doenst happen if i let the turck warm up for a fiew seconds. and then shift into gear. iam not worried about it.
matt

I think that it may have just been tempermental because it has not happened for the past week. I will continue to keep my eye on it, and probably let my truck warm up for a minute or so from now on. It is just odd because I never just get into my truck and go, I always sit for several seconds to let the engine get going, plus I live in Phoenix, so who would think that it would be an issue.

Thanks for all you help guys, I appreciate it.

Haoleb · #9 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 12:42 PM

I think i just had this happen to me. It doesnt get very cold here at night. low 70's but in the mornings if i start the truck up and immeiatly put it in gear it will sorta stumble then go. doesnt die. But this morning it did. I started it up once to move it for about 20 seconds, then i shut it off and had to move it again and as soon as i put it in drive it stumbled and wanted to die and did that for 2 or 3 seconds then died. Trying to get it started again was what worried me because it didnt want to start. After cranking it over for a few 6 or so second intervals i gave it some gas and it started, and it wanted to die if i took off the gas so i just kept it at around 1500 or so for a few seconds and it was fine.

Ive only had one other time when i had it stall and it didnt fire up right away in the year ive had the truck. I suppose perhaps i should think about putting new plugs in. The truck almost has 90k and i have no idea when they were changed last.

Picasso · #10 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haoleb

... but in the mornings if i start the truck up and immeiatly put it in gear it will sorta stumble then go. doesnt die. But this morning it did. I started it up once to move it for about 20 seconds, then i shut it off and had to move it again and as soon as i put it in drive it stumbled and wanted to die and did that for 2 or 3 seconds then died.

I agree with your assessment. These are classic signs that your intake and ignition components need a little maintenance. Most likely suspects are your spark plugs and air filter. Remove the plug from the no. 1 cylinder and see what condition it is in, then take a look at the underside of your air filter. I'll bet your plugs need replacing. If the filter is full of bugs, or is dirty, replace it. I recommend the basic Toyota air filter.

Next check your throttle body and the Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF). If they look dirty, clean them both. I have used Seafoam with great results on each of these. The procedures for doing this are well documented on TS.

I would be surprised if you continued to have the symptoms you described after doing this maintenance check.

Haoleb · #11 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 09:19 PM

I have a new air filter and have cleaned the TB maybe 10k miles ago. Spark plugs might be a good idea. I'll have to read up on what everyone is using.

sympleman · #12 (**permalink**) 08-19-2005, 01:04 PM

Check you IAC valve on the throttle body. The same thing happened to the wife's 4runner. When it was cold, she had to keep her foot on the gas to keep it from stalling for about a minute. After warming up, it was fine. I might be wrong, but It doesn't hurt to check.

hilandfrog · #13 (**permalink**) 03-27-2008, 12:32 AM

Stalled the truck pulling into the driveway and thought I had lugged it at the turn and didn't clutch correctly...

Wait it's an AT

Started right up but died with any shifting at all.

USAA came through and towed it the 36 miles to town.

The tranny is shot at 96K... about 5.5K for the new/ rebuild install.
When I get more details I'll post.

looks like that $2K extended warranty (Ya, ya I found out in here, how badly I got shafted on that $2K)

with this 5.5 I have used a full 8K on warranty work

The biggest problem is the shame I'm feeling from driving a FORD till Izod is out of the shop.

Repo