tempo help

OK a buddy of mine has either a 89 or 90 tempo. The prob is that when u go to drive it dies before it gets into the passing gear. Its an auto so like when you start to take of when it usually shifts at like 15 or 20 mph it just dies then u have to jump start it off to get it going again. The battery is new also when u leave it sit at idel it runs fine. Just when u put it in gear and take off. Has anyone had this prob or know what it is or how to fix it? Thanx Ken