car dies when put in drive

My car broke down in the middle of the road I just got a 91 oldsmobile cutlass ceria. it was running fine drove it almost home then died. It will run fine in park but put in it drive it stalls won't move. trans fluid is at the right leval oil is too whats going on $400 down the drain

Ohmy, Lexmarks567 that's tough luck
It could be so many things. Did you take it back to the person you bought it from? I think that a car breaking down on the same day you buy it sure calls for the previous owner to take some responsibility and get it fixed (and compensate you for expenses) - aren't people supposed to sell their cars in operating state?

well the shop said it was the torque converter solenoid then combine with the tune up and oil change i had them do while it was there $444

That's not fair. That shop sold you something that didn't help the problem on basis of their opinion? Then you should be able to be reimbursed.

they didn't toss in anything I told them to do a tune up as I planed on doing it anyway

Aren't there any written rules about practices like that? Like: people are not responsible at all for the stuff they sell?

what you talking about. the car broke down in the middle of the road they towed it to there shop and said it was the torque convector solenoid and that was around $360 or so. so sense it was there I also asked if they could do a tune up. the total was 433 cause I got a $20 oil change for free.

lexmarks that's what I'm talking about: aren't you supposed to have a 'working' care after taking it in to get repaired?
(with supposed to have I mean that once you take it in they are responsible to have it working)

it is working it runs and drives now they fixed it if thats what you mean

then I must have misunderstood. sorry.

lok for a vacume leak , ie:cracked emissions hose or leak around intake manifold gasket etc. find a mechanic you can trust and one that knows what they er talking about my brother in law is the best i know and he just does it uot of his drivway. funny but knever know where your help can come from thanks

Within the side pan of the transmission (drivers side next to front suspension) you will find a "Transmission Control Solenoid".
That vehicle has whats called a lock up torque converter that is controlled by the Transmission Control Solenoid when you get to cursing speed determined by the computer.

Whats happening is that the Transmission Control Solenoid is bad. that Solenoid is locking up the toque converter when it should be released. When you stop at a stop sign or traffic light the car will die. You put the car in park, start it, put it in drive and it dies.

You can pick one up at advanced auto or auto zone for $27-40 with instructions. Don't forget to buy more transmission fluid, these part stores don't sell the gasket for the side pan you will have to go to either a dealer or transmission shop.