Welcome aboard. You will, in time (probably not too long), hate this car as much as the PO did.
R6 is the starter relay. You also have the clutch interlock switch, the ignition switch, and the PATS system (if present) involved in the starter relay circuit. Any could be the cause of your fault.
Check the electrical connector to the VSS.
The dying is due to lack of input from the VSS to the PCM. No input causes the PCM to not know vehicle is decelerating so it does not implement its dashpot strategy.
Check the door tag for the date of manufacture. 03/98 and 04/98 marked a transition in how a lot of things were put together. Put this in your signature along with your other vehicle identification.
Steve
