I have a 98 Ford Contour 6 cyl. 104,500 miles. Each winter or beginning of the cold season I have the same problem.
I start the car, (starts fine), let it warm up. As soon as I drive to the end of my block and make my first complete full stop. The car tachometer drops a bit, then the engine revs high and then it falls back into place. I tend to ride my car throughout my neighborhood making approximately 4 full stops before the car is completely warmed up and ready to go. Then it seems fine.This morning, It dropped to just above 0 then up high and back to normal, the worst drop/rev it has ever done.
Is this the transmission/the engine? Nothing ever comes up on scans and it is only happening when the car/engine etc. is cold and has been sitting for several hours.
Its driving me CRAZY

Id replace the fuel filter. Mine used to do the same thing.

A Fuel Filter would cause such significant problems?
I think I had it replaced a while ago- but I will look into it. It doesnt sound like transmission problems to you?

A Fuel Filter would cause such significant problems?
I think I had it replaced a while ago- but I will look into it. It doesnt sound like transmission problems to you?

5 speed or automatic?

Automatic.
It has been a problem every cold season since I got the car. Today was the first time it was so severe I thought the car would stall.
Thanks!

hmm...the automatic transmission complicates things then. If it was a 5 speed its highly unlikely it would be that. Does it go away after the car warms up?

It does go away once the car is warmed up and I have driven it and worked out the kinks.
I am planning on taking it in to get looked at, but I want to have an idea of things so i dont spend a lot of unnecessary money.Thanks for your help!!

It does go away once the car is warmed up and I have driven it and worked out the kinks.
I am planning on taking it in to get looked at, but I want to have an idea of things so i dont spend a lot of unnecessary money.Thanks for your help!!

Ok, it doesnt sound like a transmission problem to me then. Try replacing the IAC valve and see if that doesnt help.