Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Stumbling when put in gear

Okay, this is for a 1994 Ford Escort (I know this is a 'Tour site but y'all have been great helping me keep my 'Tour up and running so I am hoping you have some suggestions for the 'Scort). It is 1.9 liter SOHC with an auto tranny. The engine runs fine but once it warms up, when I shift it into drive or reverse, the engine idles drops too low and then revs then drops. In park, it runs fine. idles great, revs fine. settles smooth.

The car has new wires and plugs, tranny fluid and filter has been changed. PCV seems fine. And isn't throwing a CEL.

Any suggestions as to wear to look or try?

Thanks.
Minger

Start by cleaning the throttle body. This was a common issue on these when they were nearly new.

Other things to check would include a dirty/sticking/defective IAC, and a hard stop idle that is way out of adjustment. Normally the hard stop idle should never need adjusting but at that age who knows what has happened to it.