Hey fellas. Got an issue. Recently, every once and awhile after I start the car, whenever I try to put it in 1st or reverse to move, and let out the clutch, the car instantly dies. It idles fine - but as soon as I try and let off the clutch in gear it dies immediately. Its almost as if the fuel is being cut straight off.

I can let it sit for a few minutes and the problem goes away.

Anyone have any ideas what the problem might be?

Thanks for any help.

 

Sounds like you are experiencing intermitted column lock failure.

 

Hmmm, the other day the thing did go into low power mode on my way to work - could that be releated?

How does one address the column lock failure if that is it?

Thanks!

 

bump

 

You may get a better response if you post this in Tech

 

Could be column lock.

A side note: what condition is your battery in? Is it newer or have you load tested it if it is older?

 

May not be same problem, but is your 'security' light on when the car is acting up? My '99 coupe auto was doing the same thing. Started fine, put into gear all was ok, moved a few feet (either fwd or rev)and car would die. Had to sit and let it warm up a while and then could go and all was ok after that. I have the service manuals and did not see anything that described this problem, in engine, mechanical or electrical, for either for an auto or manual.

Once while warming up I noticed the security light was on. Checked the doors and hatch were all closed. Found that by shutting car off, (put in park) using key fob to lock then unlock doors, when I started again, all was ok. My problem was the RFA. And yes, I considered the column lock or possibly vapor lock or a dirty throttle body, bad gas, dirty fuel injectors, on and on but this only happened when the car started and there were no other drivability issues or service column lock message, once the problem went away. Also, I didn't go into low power mode. The security light and door lock/unlock temporary fix led me to the RFA. First disconnected the RFA to test, aside from the 'service car soon' and other assorted messages, car started and drove normal. Security light was usually on when car was acting that way but not always and there were no error codes when the car was acting this way (only error code I have is a seat front vertical position problem in SCM) I'm the second owner and service records showed first owner had Chevy dealer that sold the car fix column lock.