Starting after storing

**1TA LS1** · 07-19-2009, 07:45 PM

I try to drive the bird once a week. Sometimes it's more like once every two weeks. For some reason when I fire it up after a week or two of sitting, it won't idle, then dies. But when I start it the second time it starts right up.

Am I doing something wrong???

**DaddySS** · 07-21-2009, 03:25 PM

Are you turning the ignition to "on", waiting until the pump stops and the chime stops before starting?

**1TA LS1** · 07-21-2009, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by DaddySS

Are you turning the ignition to "on", waiting until the pump stops and the chime stops before starting?

Yes. Always.

Forgot to mention, that I disconnect the battery when it's stored.

**rbob93** · 07-21-2009, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by 1TA LS1

Forgot to mention, that I disconnect the battery when it's stored.

There's the problem.
You re-set the computer when you pull the battery.

**1TA LS1** · 07-21-2009, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by rbob93

There's the problem.
You re-set the computer when you pull the battery.

How does re-setting the computer have to do with starting?

**02WS6SSZ71** · 07-22-2009, 02:10 AM

cutting power to the computer resets it, so your car has to re-learn the air/fuel curve every time you are starting it.

**chuckie669** · 07-22-2009, 03:09 AM

When the battery gets unhooked the first restart will be very weak, it may even die. Airflow learning is slower than fuel, and may take 25-35 miles of driving before fully learned back out.

**Too Fast** · 07-22-2009, 04:10 AM

Yep, the PCM has to relearn how to idle the car. That's why your car has issues sometimes. If it only sits 2-3 weeks, no need to disconnect the battery. More than a month tho, it's a good idea to disconnect but not really mandatory.

**1TA LS1** · 07-22-2009, 04:27 AM

Is it bad for the engine when it does this? And does this affect my tune or will it just take a moment to reset?

**Too Fast** · 07-22-2009, 04:09 PM

Shouldn't affect any tune. Not really bad for the engine, but if you don't need to disconnect the battery, don't do it. Like I said, unless it will sit for more than 4-5 weeks, there really is no need to disconnect the battery. If you are that concerned about battery life, it would be better to get a "battery tender" charger, you can leave it connected all the time and it will only do a trickle charge on the battery when/if it is needed.

**1TA LS1** · 07-27-2009, 08:37 PM

I am going to look into the battery tender. Someone had mentioned it to me before. I was only concerned about battery life cause my old battery died and I replaced it with a Optima battery. Thanks for the help and info all!

**SteveC** · 07-28-2009, 02:43 AM

Originally Posted by rbob93

There's the problem.
You re-set the computer when you pull the battery.

I agree, I have a garage queen that I drive 1 a week, or 1 every 2 weeks, I do not disconnect the battery, and have no trouble at start up.

I replace my battery every 3 years to be on the safe side (sulfiding the plates).

SteveC

**pulaski_ls1** · 08-05-2009, 05:26 PM

Just got a tune for my MS3 and battery went dead one month after. Put a new battery in and since it resets the computer the car will not idle and now i guess i will have to take it back to the damn shop!