Wild idle swing/stalling when cold weather

[billk.]

Hey Folks. I'm new to this forum so this problem may have already been posted somewhere. I have a 1995 Acclaim that has a problem that started last winter. When the car and weather is cold , say freezing, and I start the car the idle fluctuates wildly from about 500rpm to 2000rpm up and down till the engine has run for at least 5 minutes. The engine then settles down but as soon as I touch the gas the engine dies. This will continue till the engine temp has warmed up 1/4 on the temp gauge. It's very nerve racking to be driving, come to a stop in traffic and then have the car stall as soon as I touch the gas pedal. After the engine temp is 1/4 to 1/2 way up the temp gauge the problem disappears. Yes I had the car in the shop but they could'nt find anything wrong. I suspect a sensor of some sort but am not sure which one! Any ideas out there? Thanks.

[ricebike]

do the key on-off-on-off-on w/out starting the car & read the check engine flashes...

post the results...