My 98 escort chokes and sputters when I drive it, but idels fine

Read the codes. Transmission problem most likely. TCC solenoid stuck open. Could be valve body.

Check to see if choke valve is stuck close, if it has one. Check throttle linkage for sticking. This car may have an idle control valve. It may be dirty of defective. If so, remove it, clean it, replace it. Diconnect the battery for 10 minutes, reconnect and start it up.

is the check engine light on? check for mas air flow sensor

if both headlights went out at the same time, check your fuses. because high beams use more power than headlights, they are often on a separate fuse. if fuses are fine, replace the headlights.

In general, yes. This is a carb tuning issue. Another possibility is a vacuum leak somewhere, but most likely, it's a carb issue. You'll typically see your rpm drop a bit when you put it in gear, but that it sometimes stalls out points to a carb issue.

Try disconnecting the alternator for a few minutes.
It can run on just the battery that long.
It is possible the new alternator is producing too many spikes that disrupt the car's electronics.

There are 3 possbile diagrams, depending on whether it's equipped with AC and engine type. The 3 are listed below. Thank you for using Fixya and please remember to return to rate this answer.
Greg

98 Escort Drive Belt Air #1



98 Escort Drive Belt Air #2


98 Escort Drive Belt no Air

Your automatic choke is probably sticking. Spray it out with 2+2 Carb and Choke Cleaner. Do this when the car is cold so you don't start a fire. While the car is running see what position the choke butterfly is in when the engine is hot. If it is partially closed you may have a bad spring in the choke mechanism or it may need an adjustment.

These re known for head gasket failures when at operating temp. should do a compression check hot and cold.

you will need tocheck choke/choke pull off also the egr could be malfunctioning