1992 Mazda Protégé DX, auto, 110K km

While driving and coming to a stop, the engine starts to shake and it actually stalls out unless it is changed to neutral. It feels like the car is really struggling to go, but I’m pressing on the brakes so obviously it can’t. It’s like it is stuck in 2nd gear or maybe the torque converter is jammed? I’m not sure. All that I know is that it happens every once in a while and lasts for 30 mins.

While it’s having its episodes, it is fine in park or neutral, or even reverse, but as soon as I switch it to drive, or 1st or 2nd gear, it stalls, unless I rev the engine up while switching it to drive…

I changed the tranni oil & filter. The old oil looked okay.
Any ideas?

 

sounds like the clutch is going out, and it is having a hard time dissengaging itself when the clutch pedal is pushed to the floor.

 

I have a 97 and I just had similar complaints. I actually found that the rubber tube from the mass air flow sensor to the air cleaner had a large crack on the underbody. I replaced the tube for like 50 bucks. It made a world of difference. I am now back to 35 mpg's and no more check engine light.