Ford Escort shifting problem

[giannial1985]

Hopefully I'll get some answers on this, lol. My mother has a 1999 ford escort lx. She's had is since it was a year old. Never breaks down. But for a couple of years now, the transmission sometimes misses first gear and goes right to second. Sometimes it shift with a jerk to and then there's times it's fine. Also, sometimes when stopped at a light or sign, the cars idle will go up and down and the idle will be rough, the whole car would vibrate and the lights flicker when they're on. Other times it idels smoothly. She takes good care of her car and has had the trans. fluid changed twice. She's had the fuel system flushed and plugs and wires changed, and new battery. All the normal stuff. If anyone has some ideas as to what might do this, if this has happend on other escort, let me know.

Thanks.