Ok... It's not my Camaro, but my Cougar is a V6 (and TomP should know this, no matter what brand).

When I drive around, after the car heats up, I can pull up to a stoplight and as soon as I stop, the motor feels like it wants to stall (not real bad, but noticable on the tach). And, my oil pressure fluctuates and bounces (needle bounces back and forth). It dips low enough to set off my "Check Guages" light. And, when I go from drive to reverse (to back into a parking spot or my driveway), it dips really low, and I've actually had the car die (very very rarely though).

BUT! This is what leads me to believe it's the torque converter. When the oil pressure's dropping and low, and the motor bogs down, I can put it in neutral and it smooths right out, oil pressure comes back up, and everything's good.

I've been thinking about unhooking the TCC switch and seeing if it will fix it, but I figured I'd ask here first if:

Anyone know's what's up, or what to do/how to fix it. And I'd really like an opinion from you, Tom... you haven't let me down yet. Thanks guys!

(BTW, this Cougar's probably gonna be gone once I turn 18... either for a new Chevy or a new T-Bird... I love the looks of them)

Sounds more like and Idle Air Control(IAC) problem than a TQ.

Sell it and buy a CHEVY

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Ya can't have too many fast Chevys!

Yeah, I don't think it's the torque convertor... when you're putting it in neutral, you're un-stressing the engine. Plus, if the TC locked up when you came to a stop, your engine would stall out completely. Like CHVYPWR said, your intake (and idle air passageway, if fords have 'em) is probably carbon'd up... that is, if the rest of the car's in good tune (timing, etc).


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

You know what, you guys are awesome. I'm almost 100% sure you're right.

When we replaced the head gaskets (Ford 3.8's were notorious for cracked head gaskets), I remember it did this when we got it back. When I'd pull up to a stoplight (after the car warmed up) it would do the same thing and die. So, my dad took it back down to his cousin's shop and had them fix it. And I think that's what it turned out to be. Could be screwed up again... Thanks guys.

Ok... in my recent mental lapse, I forgot to ask the usual follow-up question.

If it turns out to be the IAC, Can I clean it, and how? Or should I replace it? And where exactly on the intake should I be looking for it?

well any good cleaner should work.(sea foam, a good brake cleaner) as far as where it should be is right by the T/B(throtle body) you could even use a small wire brush or a Q-tip.