Idle problem after battery change

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Bill - 26 Jan 2005 08:00 GMT

I changed the battery in my highly maintained 94 Lumina 3.1 after I
noticed that it was cranking slow on cold days. It had been running perfect
with a rock solid 800 rpm idle.
I had to remove the air box and connector to the airbox hose to get the
battery out. Now that I have this simple task done, I start it up and the idle
bounces from 500- 1000 rpm over and over again. I figure the ecm needs to
relearn things so I drive it 5 miles. No luck. The idle is steady at one stop
and eratic to the point of stalling at the next. I checked all vacuum lines.
Nothing out of place. I remove the airbox hose to check for cracks. It looks
good. By this time it is dark and I haven't looked at it further. Today I will
paper clip the aldl and look for set codes and reset the ECM. Does anyone have
any ideas on what is going on here? I keep thinking IAC valve but that is just
a wild guess and what does that have to do with changing the battery? I will
also add that I cleaned and lightly greased the connectors. I don't get a check
engine light. Thanks for any input.

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Billy Bad Assr? - 26 Jan 2005 10:04 GMT

> I changed the battery in my highly maintained 94 Lumina 3.1 after I
> noticed that it was cranking slow on cold days.

Batteries tend to do that on cold days!

> I had to remove the air box and connector to the airbox hose to get the
> battery out. Now that I have this simple task done, I start it up and the idle
> bounces from 500- 1000 rpm over and over again. I figure the ecm needs to
> relearn things so I drive it 5 miles. No luck.

That's what you get for thinking! --I always find it is allot cheaper to
trouble-shoot 1st!! Once the issue is properly diagnosed -- then attempt to fix!

> and eratic to the point of stalling at the next. I checked all vacuum lines.
> Nothing out of place. I remove the airbox hose to check for cracks. It looks
> good. By this time it is dark and I haven't looked at it further. Today I will
> paper clip the aldl and look for set codes and reset the ECM.

YEAH -- surrre --Why do people insist on f.cking with the ECM -- I just don't
get it <Dropping & Shaking Head> !!!

Why fix-it if it is not broken????

> any ideas on what is going on here? I keep thinking IAC valve but that is just
> a wild guess and what does that have to do with changing the battery? I will
> also add that I cleaned and lightly greased the connectors. I don't get a check
> engine light. Thanks for any input.

Yeah, I recommend that you check the loose >NUT< behind the wheel!!!!

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el Diablo - 26 Jan 2005 11:07 GMT

> I changed the battery in my highly maintained 94 Lumina 3.1 after I
> noticed that it was cranking slow on cold days. It had been running
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> check
> engine light. Thanks for any input.

The computer has lost it's learned information about your vehicle. This
happens after a battery change, and the battery is out for long enough for
the computer to loose the data.
You just need to drive the care for about 15 or 20 minutes so that the
computer will relearn the conditions required for the car to run right.

Brian

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Mike Walsh - 26 Jan 2005 14:50 GMT

It may take several cold to warm cycles for the sensors to calibrate, as my 92 3.1 liter Beretta does.

> I changed the battery in my highly maintained 94 Lumina 3.1 after I
> noticed that it was cranking slow on cold days. It had been running perfect
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> also add that I cleaned and lightly greased the connectors. I don't get a check
> engine light. Thanks for any input.

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Mike Walsh
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

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William R. Watt - 26 Jan 2005 20:10 GMT

Check the owner's manual? Mine (not a Lumina) says the car has to be
driven 20 miles to reset the computer.

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clifto - 01 Feb 2005 21:59 GMT

> I had to remove the air box and connector to the airbox hose to get the
> battery out.
> [snip]
> I keep thinking IAC valve but that is just
> a wild guess and what does that have to do with changing the battery?

It was my first thought, and not being familiar with the 94 Lumina, I'm
wondering what it has to do with the airbox, connector and airbox hose.

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