trying to fix this problem for a girl.

Her car is a 97 auto cav.

It's getting poor gas mileage, the AC bogs the engine a lot, and it will not idle when cold.

She has to start it ,and rev it up and put into drive before it will stay running.

If she quickly puts it into drive it doesn't have any issues and doesn't need any gas to stay running. For this reason I feel like it is not a mechanical problem but instead a sensor.

Through my searching I found that the coolant temp sensor is a common issue. Will that cause this kind of problem?

What else could it be?

So does it still not idle with the A/C OFF?

This includes making sure the selector is not to windshield or any position to bring the A/C ON?

In other words you are sure the not idling is not connected to the A /C problem?


Alont

Check the fuel pressure to see if the problem is fuel related. Good luck.