Okay, i was driving home and i had the automatic in second... i noticed it jumps rpms from like one to one and a half thousand with no throttle, yet the car wont do it in drive, just the low gears. whats the deal? by the way its an 86 with the 3at and spfi

Two things to consider from the archives:

1. Bushings in distributor headed south; or

2. Alternator on the fritz.

Could the ATF level and the ATF itself have anything to do with this? I've only had this happen to me once, and it was right after i took up a steep grade..

 

Seemed like a dying disty, but it's not loose at all. The alternator is newish; and it checked out OK on the meter.