Thread: Car stalls when shifting from Reverse to Drive

Bought a 01 GP GT from a used car lot a month ago. In the past month the tranny cooler line and transmission busted. The car lot put in another transmission and replaced the cooler line, as well as replaced tie-rod ends, motor mounts and a bent axle.

One day I was backing out of parking lot and the car stalled out when shifting from drive to reverse. No CEL were on, also the engine doesn't studder and the new transmission shifts smoothly. Also have good acceleration and RPM's seem to be spot on, no rough idle and stumbling. After I shifted it to drive and the car stalled out it was still moving in reverse until a started the engine back up. The engine started right back up as well right after stalling. This happened one time since getting the car back from having transmission repaired.

I hope that engine just shut itself off to prevent damage for a mistake on my behalf. Lord knows this car has had so many problems since I bought it. Including a stuck open thermostat, a bad ball joint and a bad transmission. The transmission, tie-rod ends, motor mounts and axle replaced by car lot.

Would this be a tranny problem or just a mistake on my behalf. Anyone one else had this issue with a 1997-03 Grand Prix or other W-Body Cars.

BTW, the engine stall out like you just turned the car. The radio and still on when it stalled out.

I would think that if you were moving forward then put in reverse the engine would shut down. I had a 73 Charger that i accidentally slapped into reverse while rolling down the road and it shut down pretty fast. Like there is safety switch in the transmission so you dont tear it up.

Mine is kinda a beater car that i use for work. I put around 1500 miles a week on her. I rescued her from sitting for 5 years with windows down so there are issues with her. I only have around $700 in the car. She runs strong though. Trying to work out the small issues as i go.

That's a lot of miles, at least the car has been reliable and for only $700. As long as you keep the fluids topped off usually all is good. Clean oil and filter does wonders as well.