Car is dead. Need help. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Chelsea · 11-15-2010, 03:14 AM

My car died on me tonight...immediately after turning right at an intersection, the car absolutely refused to accelerate. I was slowly losing speed, so I got into the center turning lane, stopped, and hit my hazard lights.

The car refuses to move. In 1st gear, drive, overdrive (seperate position on the lever in my car), or reverse the car refuses to move an inch. I briefly did try putting the car in neutral but as I was already in a relatively safe position I didn't want to risk sending the car uncontrollable into traffic by getting out to shove. Steering wheel still turns normally and all electrical devices still work. Car is a 1997 Ford Taurus, automatic transmission.

Fleet · 11-15-2010, 05:00 AM

If a car stalls suddenly, it's usually an electrical problem. If it stumbles and runs for a few seconds, it's usually fuel-related.

ponytail · 11-15-2010, 05:54 AM

Years ago my truck suddenly died while on the road. Towed it in and it was the alternator. It sucks when your driving and boom, and nothing.

robyrob · 11-15-2010, 08:20 AM

is the check engine light on? is it running fine but just refuses to move?

it sounds like a transmission problem if the engine is running ok but its not responding at the wheels. have you checked the transmission fluid - it could just be low or need to be changed.

Marvo301 · 11-15-2010, 03:45 PM

My car died like that a couple of months ago. Turns out the transmission was shot. Due to the age of the car and the cost of a new transmission it wasn't worth repairing the car so I am now a pedestrian. I hope your cars problem turns out to be much less serious.

bandito · 11-15-2010, 06:36 PM

You either have a bad transmission, or you broke a front axle- Cv joint. If your car holds in park you probably need a transmission. Have you checked the fluid?

Chelsea · 11-16-2010, 01:29 AM

Car remains motionless in park. And in reverse. And in Drive/Overdrive. And in 1st. I still haven't had a chance to try out neutral since the car was towed to a junkyard by the local police department (I broke down in the middle of the road).

All electronic devices work fine. Car appears to start normally. Service engine soon light's been on for about a week, but as it's been going on and off in cycles for the last year or so I'd been stupidly ignoring it. (I'd kill for a code reader right now).

I'm going to hopefully arrange to have it towed back here tomorrow, at which point time becomes less of a worry and I can really give the car a once-over, fluids check, etc.

MrCleveland · 11-16-2010, 08:27 AM

My mom's car died on her once 10 years ago, I was visiting my old church and as we were going back home...we found out the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis just stopped suddenly and someone pushed the car for her.

I'm hoping to get a car soon, but since I don't have much confidence in driving solo...I could use help with that.

11-15-2010, 03:14 AM	#1
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Car is dead. Need help. My car died on me tonight...immediately after turning right at an intersection, the car absolutely refused to accelerate. I was slowly losing speed, so I got into the center turning lane, stopped, and hit my hazard lights. The car refuses to move. In 1st gear, drive, overdrive (seperate position on the lever in my car), or reverse the car refuses to move an inch. I briefly did try putting the car in neutral but as I was already in a relatively safe position I didn't want to risk sending the car uncontrollable into traffic by getting out to shove. Steering wheel still turns normally and all electrical devices still work. Car is a 1997 Ford Taurus, automatic transmission.
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

11-15-2010, 05:00 AM	#2
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	If a car stalls suddenly, it's usually an electrical problem. If it stumbles and runs for a few seconds, it's usually fuel-related.
	__________________ 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine.

11-15-2010, 08:20 AM	#4
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,203	is the check engine light on? is it running fine but just refuses to move? it sounds like a transmission problem if the engine is running ok but its not responding at the wheels. have you checked the transmission fluid - it could just be low or need to be changed.
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11-15-2010, 03:45 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	My car died like that a couple of months ago. Turns out the transmission was shot. Due to the age of the car and the cost of a new transmission it wasn't worth repairing the car so I am now a pedestrian. I hope your cars problem turns out to be much less serious.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

11-15-2010, 06:36 PM	#6
bandito Going Topless Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Location: The Steel City Posts: 6,320	You either have a bad transmission, or you broke a front axle- Cv joint. If your car holds in park you probably need a transmission. Have you checked the fluid?
	__________________ bandito

11-15-2010, 05:54 AM	#3
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	Years ago my truck suddenly died while on the road. Towed it in and it was the alternator. It sucks when your driving and boom, and nothing.

11-16-2010, 01:29 AM	#7
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Car remains motionless in park. And in reverse. And in Drive/Overdrive. And in 1st. I still haven't had a chance to try out neutral since the car was towed to a junkyard by the local police department (I broke down in the middle of the road). All electronic devices work fine. Car appears to start normally. Service engine soon light's been on for about a week, but as it's been going on and off in cycles for the last year or so I'd been stupidly ignoring it. (I'd kill for a code reader right now). I'm going to hopefully arrange to have it towed back here tomorrow, at which point time becomes less of a worry and I can really give the car a once-over, fluids check, etc.

11-16-2010, 08:27 AM	#8
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,234	My mom's car died on her once 10 years ago, I was visiting my old church and as we were going back home...we found out the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis just stopped suddenly and someone pushed the car for her. I'm hoping to get a car soon, but since I don't have much confidence in driving solo...I could use help with that.
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)