What Causes an Automatic Car to Stall? by Wanda Thibodeaux Torque Converter In the transmission of an automatic car, there isa torque converter, which takes the place of a mechanical clutch. The torque converter is supposed to unlock both during cruising and deceleration. Sometimes, however, braki...
Acceleration and Deceleration Pressing the gas pedal means opening the main throttle plate, which introduces more air into the engine. The engine has to respond by delivering more fuel, and more aggressive spark timing to set it off. Massive vacuum leaks can cause stalling under acceleration, but...