I have a 1998 Sable and just yesterday started doing this: when and only when it is in drive the rpm needle bounces and the engine is jolting like it wants to die. it only does this when it is in drive and stopped, like at a stoplight. then last night i started it up, and when I shifted into drive it just died. I started it and let it warm up and then it went back to the old problem. Has anyone had this same experience? does anyone have any suggestions?

 

So it does not happen in reverse, 1st,2nd? Or is it just when idling in drive? Mileage? What does the tach say at idle in park? In gear? Let me know. Sounds like you need to clean out or replace the IAC. Check engine light on?

 

Its got 13000 miles on it. It only happens in drive...although there was one time and one time only it died when i shifted into reverse. in park it is about 900 rpm, in drive it bounces between 400 and 800 rpm. And even sometimes its fine. Sometimes it will not have a problem, and will sit still idleing at about 800 rpm.

where is the IAC located and how do I know if its bad?

I also just put some Lucas fuel injector cleaner in the tank as well, figured it may help.

 

13,000 is right, not 130,000 miles? If so, I am going to take back my IAC theory. 13,000 miles is not enough to gunk up an Idle Air Control. If it is only in drive and you have rpm fluctuation, I am going to lean toward a faulty TPS (throttle posistion sensor) What about the check eng. light? What if you put the car in 1st, then shift manually? Let me know. Later.

 

ahhh sh*t I''m sorry its 113,000. the check engine light is not on.
today i went into work and it died after i put it in drive. and then it died everytime it was in drive and sitting still. It does not die on me if the engine is warmed up.

 

Shifting manually?