I'VE GOT A 96 WITH A 3.8, AN A PROBLEM. IF I MAKE FREQUENT STOPS (ENGINE OFF FOR MORE THEN 5 MINUTES, LESS THEN 2 HOURS), THE ENGINE RUNS REAL ROUGH, SOUNDING AS IF SHE WANTS TO STALL OUT. I HAVEN'T NOTICED ANY MAJOR GAUGE ACTIVITY, EXCEPT TACH DROPPING. ONCE I GET MOVING, THERE IS NO EVIDENT PROBLEM. AND AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO, SHE WILL IDLE AS SHE SHOULD. IF ANYONE HAS GONE THROUGH THIS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS.

start with the basics change the fuel filter and add a bottle of dry gas to the tank. if you are in the northern climates where it is in the 20's or below now you will have to let the car run up to operating temp. off of "C" during cold starts the car goes into what is called a closed loop running the engine at a very rich setting and if you give it gas it will stall due to the rich setting. This usually runs until the car reaches operating temp. it reads teh air temp sensor in your air box. The rich setting causes the engine to heat up faster. A few moments like 2-5 min at idle and the car should run fine. If that does not work clean the mass air flow sensor and check the basics like the pcv valve and the line pressure. other things to look for are how old are the plug wires you could be arching out at the plug boots open the hood at night wihtout a flashlight look at all teh plug boots and see if the ignition fire sparks out against the plug hole. My first guess would be you are in a coder climate and the closed loop is your culperate. my 4.6L has the same problem i installed an auto start and befor i even go to get my coat i start the car and it is nice and toasty warm when i get in. it was like $150 at circuit city. later dwayne