My daughter's '97 Civic jumps around and stalls out when at low speed or idling while in gear. Noticed that the speedometer jumps around when engine is revved, the "D" (drive) light stays lit even before moving the shifter, and the car will idle fine. When you put it in gear (reverse or drive) it will jump and then stall with a HARD jerk. Car will start immediately and stall as soon as it is put in gear again. Sometimes, you can get it in gear and drive off before it stalls, but as soon as you slow to a stop, the engine dies again. Is this an electrical (charging) system or fuel system problem?
Any help will be greatly appreciated since I am unemployed and cannot afford a huge repair bill.

 

Check the ground wires on the thermostat housing, those ground the computer system and if they are loose you get stalling, speedometer jumping, etc. Also check if fuse #15 under the dash is blown. Could be the ignition switch too. Does it stall if you wiggle the key?

Simply not idling fast enough could be dirt in the IACV. If you can press the gas slightly and keep the car running, investigate that.

 

Checked ignition switch and fuse(s).......they are both OK. Didn' t find any loose wires or hoses anywhere on the engine. Even checked battery cables and other electrical systems........all good there. Engine still lunges and then dies when placed in gear (forward or reverse). Started out with cold engine, but when it warmed up, it began to lunge and stall again. Not sure why the "D" flashes no matter what gear is used. Daughter says it always does when you first turn the ignition key to on and then stops. She also siad the transmission fluid was low and her b-friend added almost a full quart of fluid (yes it was Honda CV fluid....I checked).
Any other suggestions, please advise..........she is driving my truck until I get her car running again.