Nissan Repair: 98 Altima - stalling when cold, air intake hose, throttle plate

Question
I'm not sure where to go with this one - my wife's 1998 Altima GLE seems to run fine, except for first thing in the morning - After sitting overnight, it starts fine, holds idle RPM's at around 1K, even backs out of the driveway fine, but when dropped into drive, it immediately goes rough and stalls out.  Let the car sit at idles for just a few minutes to warm up, and it drives off as if nothing ever happened.  Then it will start and drive normally for the rest of the day, even after sitting for long periods.  I wouldn't worry about it except that my wife says it's getting progressively worse - taking longer to "warm up" each week, so I'm concerned that this may be a small problem that's working it's way into a big one.  I did the obvious and replaced the plugs and air filter, but this had no effect.  I just don't get how there can be such a night and day difference between the first start of the day and the rest of the day.  I'm also confused by it holding idle when first started - if it's getting Air, fuel an fire when it's sitting at idle, what's missing when it's put into gear?

Answer
Jim,

A couple of things here.  First, make sure that it has fresh spark plugs in the engine as old plugs will do this.  Second, if the plugs do not do the trick I would clean the throttle body with carburetor cleaner.  You will have to remove the air intake hose and with the engine off you spary down the throttle plate.  You will have to put the air intake hose back on and be sure to use a rag to clean up any  cleaner that runs out.  Plus the car will be a pain to start since you basically flooded it with cleaner.  But, after it starts the idle should be much better.