joryramosn

Hello fellow Acuraziners!

First I want to say this community and contents are awesome!

Last Thursday my car wouldn't start. No warning the day before, it was perfectly fine. I started troubleshooting, removed the starter, got it checked at Autozone (it failed 3 out of 3 tests) and I got a new starter. I replaced it myself, this is the first time I do something of this nature BTW.

I then proceeded to do the 'reset' as shown on this thread... https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/resetting-ecu-makes-me-happy-747662/

Car fired right away! and felt great! but I noticed the RPM's at idle were around 650 at normal operating temp. When before they would never drop below 800... this felt odd. The car doesn't feel like it's drowning or about to die or anything, actually it feels "softer" than before? anyway... is this normal? did I mess something up?

PICS: (I hope they show)


Idle speed on drive.


125KM, normal operating temperature.

Car: Acura TL 2006 Base Auto with 125km or 77,750miles (Mexican market model)

Please post any input or help. <- here P.S. I did searched before submitting a new thread.

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

You can't really be sure with the needle. Only way to be 100% is to hook up an OBD scanner and see exactly what RPM's are being reported to the ECU.

Your tl should be Idling at 750 +/- 50 RPMS

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

Straight from Acura:

joryramosn

Project_CLean, thank you for your reply and good info! I have a scanner but it's a modest unit only to read codes and clear if necessary. I will take it to an autoparts store and see if they can show me the reported RPM from the ECU. I will report back.

kewlblu

Did you disconnect the battery when you pulled the starter? I had something similar occur on a Lexus ES300. I've changed numerous batteries before on computer controlled cars and never had a problem. Swapped out the battery on the Lexus and had a sub-idle engine RPM after the new battery was installed. Had to take it to the dealer for them re-program the ECM. They told me they change the batteries out with the car running or keep voltage to the ECM through other means. Maybe via 9 volt through the accessory jack. I've seen those pig tails in the auto parts stores. Don't know if Acura's are prone to the same problem.

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

Now that i'm fully awake, and read this ^ guys post. It reminded me of something.

If in fact you did unplug the battery,and left it off long enough for the ECU to clear. Then you have to perform the Idle Relearn. You can search for it here in the forums. But,you would have to disconnect the battery,again. Wait a few minutes for the ecu to clear.Reconnect the battery,and turn on the vehicle.Shut off all other components,a/c,radio,headlights, or anything that can put a load on the car,and basically just let the car idle for a while.

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

**straight from honda**

joryramosn

I will give this a try after work today. I had to remove the battery and its mounting bracket to be able to reach the starter. The car was without a battery for at least 1-2 hours. And I thought that with the ECU reset that I linked above would be sufficient. I wasn't aware of this idle re-learn, so far this looks like the answer.

I hate cars

Mine always does this when the battery is disconnected. Idle is a little low at first and slowly comes back up over the course of a few hours of driving. You don't have to do the idle relearn, all you have to do it drive it. The relearn will speed up the process. I normall give it a few revs and let fall back to idle a few times until it gets it right. Ill turn on the AC until it stops making the idle dip. Ill put it in gear a few times. After that it drives normally but even when doing nothing, it will be back to normal in a day.

joryramosn

Thanks I hate cars. I'll try this out. As you see from the picture (Trip B) I only drove less than 4 miles after the starter replace, so I'll jump on the freeway today and do a little cruising if that solves it, I won't do the Idle re-learn.

Thanks for all the help guys!

nfnsquared

Nah, disconnecting the battery doesn't do a true ECM/PCM reset. That can only be done with the HDS. Hence, an idle relearn should not be required. Like IHC said, give it a few days of driving and it should be fine.

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

Wouldn't an ECU without a power source eventually drain and lose it's "memory" ? I guess we don't really NEED to do an idle relearn, but the RPMs being off bothered the OP enough that maybe he wanted a proper solution.

joryramosn

I'm happy to inform that after following some driving yesterday and today. The car feels steady and RPMs don't shift that low anymore. No idle re-learn, but at least I know how to do it if I ever need to. Thanks everyone!

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

Good shit.