engine stalled after leaving battery disconnected for a few hours

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 19, 2016 | 06:25 PM

pman6

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,952

Likes: 28

From: CALIFORNIA

engine stalled after leaving battery disconnected for a few hours

Driver window wasn't working, so I disconnected battery negative terminal for a couple hours.

Reconnected battery, and driver window works again, but now engine will barely keep 0 rpm idle speed. Stalls out.
I have to hold down the gas a little to keep it at 1000 rpm.

How do I get the engine idle back to normal?

I would think that after stalling so many times, the ecu would learn to adjust

Last edited by pman6; Jun 19, 2016 at 06:43 PM.

Jun 20, 2016 | 12:48 PM

mmarshall

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 94,696

Likes: 290

From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs

Sometimes it takes a couple of days (and a few seat/stop cycles) for the engine computer to reset itself. If it isn't better in a couple of days, then have it looked at.

Is the Check Engine light coming on?

Jun 20, 2016 | 02:45 PM

pman6

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,952

Likes: 28

From: CALIFORNIA

no check engine light.

it idled at 500rpm this morning though, so that's an improvement.

i did a google search, and got some throttle body cleaner and i'm in the process of cleaning out the carbon build up

Jun 20, 2016 | 02:54 PM

JDR76

Lexus Champion

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 13,296

Likes: 1,904

From: WA

What year and model?

Jun 20, 2016 | 04:08 PM

pman6

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,952

Likes: 28

From: CALIFORNIA

2003 es300.

Just got done cleaning the throttle body. Looks like it's fixed.
throttle body has never been cleaned in the 100,000 miles I have on it.

Check engine light is now on, but hopefully it will go away on its own.

Jun 20, 2016 | 06:11 PM

Coleroad

Racer

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 1,810

Likes: 170

From: Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by pman6

After Cleaning the throttle body perform the idle relearn. You will need a helper to do this. Disconnect the battery and hold the terminals together, at that time push the throttle plate closed. While holding throttle plate closed, reconnect the battery have the helper turn the key to the run position, but do not start. Hold for five seconds. Leave the key in the run position, and reconnect the plumbing to the throttlebody. start the engine up and let it idle for five minutes. Do not touch the gas pedal. Shut car off restart everything thing should run correctly.

Jun 20, 2016 | 06:36 PM

pman6

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,952

Likes: 28

From: CALIFORNIA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coleroad

whoa sounds complicated. I just put everything back together.

if the check engine light doesn't go away, I'll just try a battery disconnect.

Trending Topics

Current Gas Prices

918

25.8k
Self Driving or Assist? Do you like it or no? The Gladiator Thread

353

7.9k
Looking for cheap used Convertible

47

721
I've Pretty Much Decided What My Next Ride Will be.

124

3.8k
LC 500 Spotterâ€™s Thread

523

84.8k

Jun 20, 2016 | 06:53 PM

Coleroad

Racer

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 1,810

Likes: 170

From: Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by pman6

whoa sounds complicated. I just put everything back together.

if the check engine light doesn't go away, I'll just try a battery disconnect.

It really only takes a few minutes, and it will fix your problem. The check engine light is on because the rpm is to far out of range from where it should be according to the parameters it thinks is going on. This relearn will reset those parameters. All you need is enough space yo slid a screwdriver in to hold the throttle plate closed. In the long run you'll save time.