Car dies when in drive

[SRTFerg]

Hello all. I recently purchased a 95 240sx. Sadly it is an auto but I have all the parts required for the manual swap and willl be doing the swap once i can get the car to the garage. A few days ago I was on my way to a friends house when all of a sudden the car wanted to die unless I gave it gas. So I rushed it to the house where it died upon parking. When I try and start the car it will not start on its own unless I mash the gas down. Once started it will run and idle fine until I go to put it in drive and then it just dies. I can hear the fuel pump turning on. I have also replaced the fuel filter, plugs, cap and rotor and still nothing. I need to get the car running soon so I can get it to the garage for my swap. Any help or imput would be appreciated.

[serious_student]

Does the auto trans have any trouble shifting when you do get it driving?

[SRTFerg]

When it did run it would shift really hard from first to second. I was thinking it could be the torque converter or something of that nature.

[serious_student]

hmmm. the truth is there are so many factors, esp with auto trans. Could be something simple like an intermittent bad ground not giving the car consistent power. you have to weigh out the cost of towing with your wasted money time and effort to fix an issue that might not be an issue at all once you have a manual ecu in the car. I would do the manual swap, and if the issue persists, fix it then. hth

[SRTFerg]

I have a spare motor for the car also. I just wanted to see what the forum thought it might be and if it was something simple then I was going to fix it so I could drive the car to the garage. I more than likely will end up towing the car so I tear it apart and hope that it doesnt give me any trouble once the new motor and tranny are in.

[ricky33183]

the same thing happened to me when i bought my 240 a 95 auto as well, the car would sometimes choke when i pressed the gas pedal and felt like dieing but i just cleaned my maf and put a new intake and it runs better now haven't had any problems.

just pop your hood and look at all your components and check everything to make sure its working properly

[Twin]

sounds like a wiring problem. perhaps check the fuel pump relays and wiring. if you have a DVOM or maybe rent one from auto zone or something, check the voltage during cranking. start at little things before you go on and replace major parts like the fuel pump.

[SRTFerg]

Thanks for the imput guys. I did put a new filter on there since my old one was dirty as hell and cleaned my maf while it was apart. As for the fuel pump, I already have a new walbro 255 and install kit sitting in my living(parts) room so I was going to go ahead and install it since id have the car in the garage anyway. I will also check the wiring, fuses, and relays for problems. Id hate to put the new motor and tranny in and have the car not start.