battery problems

[bigjerm25]

i had a professional install my battery in my grand prix, well they forgot to plug up the sensor that goes into the airfilter, after i drove it i noticed the engine light came on, so i took it back to them and they plugged that sensor up.Now my engine is idiling funny and trys to die, is it possible that i need to unplug the battery so it will reset my computer and the problem will go away, the check engine light is not coming on now, but i really dont know what to do. it didnt do any of this till i got the new battery put in.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by bigjerm25

i had a professional install my battery in my grand prix, well they forgot to plug up the sensor that goes into the airfilter, after i drove it i noticed the engine light came on, so i took it back to them and they plugged that sensor up.Now my engine is idiling funny and trys to die, is it possible that i need to unplug the battery so it will reset my computer and the problem will go away, the check engine light is not coming on now, but i really dont know what to do. it didnt do any of this till i got the new battery put in.

Sounds like they weren't too professional. Its possible that it might clear up by itself after a few drive cycles. Just unplugging the battery negative or positive to re-set the ECU/PCM computer is a myth.

Here's the procedure I use:

Disconnect the positive battery cable from the post.

Turn ignition to the full start position and hold for approximately 1 minute. Of course the engine won't start. Then release to off position.
Your key will probably be stuck in the ignition at this point. No problem.

Now re-connect battery positive and tighten. You'll hear relays clicking.

Now turn key back to on and then back to off. Key will now remove.

Re-insert key and start engine and take it out for a drive cycle for the ECU to re-learn. It will re-reference to all vehicle sensors and establish
proper open and closed loop mode operation.

Hopefully the problem will correct itself. This procedure is the most comprehensive ECU reset short of using a odb-ii scanner/code reader with reset capability, etc. or a Tech II machine. Good luck!

[richtazz]

you could also take the car to Zone or Advance and have them clear it for you

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by richtazz

you could also take the car to Zone or Advance and have them clear it for you

The Autozones in my area and other locales will not scan car for free unless the SES light is on. His SES light is now off since the IAC was reconnected. However that is a good suggestion otherwise.

[richtazz]

ours around here in Michigan will do it if you ask, some locations have lazy employees that use excuses to get out of doing anything.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by richtazz

ours around here in Michigan will do it if you ask, some locations have lazy employees that use excuses to get out of doing anything.

Its probably based on regional corporate policy. I have 17 Autozones within a 20 mile radius of me. All of them push the company line "I'm sorry there is nothing we can do for you unless the SES/CEL light is on".

I gave up on them and with the amount of GM cars in my household, we invested in a good odb-ii scanner/code reader (Actron) which we got off of EBay capable of reading generic(P0XXX) and manufacturer specific (P1XXX) DTC codes, engine PIDs capability, emissions IM status and freeze frame data.

BTW - Autozone wanted too much for their Actrons they had in stock.

Plus I had a bad experience with Autozone where the OEM AC Delco battery finally died in our '97 GTP. Put in a new AC Delco Professional series. Somehow the ECU/PCM stored a crankshaft position error with no SES light. On an unrelated problem, the parts tech at Autozone locked in on that code and tried to convince me to buy a CPS sensor for approx. $50.00+. I used common sense and determined that it was a fluke error code because a defective CPS will cause starting problems not to mention a host of other problems.

With my own scanner at least I can immediately reset the computer to include pending and stored codes and see if the problem repeats before wasting money on unnecessary parts. Just my 2 cents.