Chrysler Repair: 98 T&C:stumbles/dies when shifting into gear, mark roland, vacuum leak

Question
What would cause my 98 T&C LXI Minivan to shut the engine off when I put the van in reverse? When I put it into D (drive) it sometimes shuts off or limps down the road? I do not think I have any engine problems it all seems to be transmission related.

Answer
There is something related to the engine control system not adjusting properly to the extra load put on the engine when it is shifted out of neutral or park. I suspect there is a fault code stored in the engine controller that will give us a clue. You may be able to get a free readout of the fault codes at an Autozone parts store, or for around $40 at an independent garage. If there are codes, get the number, the name, what it means, and how much to fix. Then write back and we'll compare that to the shop manual on that same code. It could be the automatic idle speed motor is not responding quickly enough, or a vacuum leak, or ?
But you really don't want to forgo getting a readout because the fault codes are a great shortcut that avoids throwing parts at a problem hoping to hit the mark.
Roland