Engine races At Idle

**midnitejam** · 05-12-2009, 07:37 AM

I recently tried to start my 98 RamAir after a winter's sleep. I turn the key to start position and I hear click,click,click. I then call Tripple-A for a jump start. I figured the battery died over the winter's inactivity.

The AAA technician reported that the battery had an adiquate charge and should have cranked over the engine. He stated that some problem other than the battery was probably causing the trouble.

Once the engine started, I wouldn't idle slower than 3K. I blipped the throttle a couple of times (thinking the throttle wiring was sticking) and it would rev to 5k and slowly settly back to about 3k. I had a custom dyno-adjusted program dialed into the computer when the car was put away for the winter.

My questions are several.....
1) Did the jump start destroy the computer's program?
2) How do I reset the computer to original default settings?
3) What is the procedure with the fuse box to reset the default settings?
4) Has anyone else had or heard of a similar problem?

ThanX
midnitejam

**Dr.Crash** · 05-12-2009, 08:50 AM

after you got the tune did you ever drive it? or did you just park it? also how long did it sit? maybe a vac leak caused by old broken vac lines. check to make sure the TB and throttle cable arent caught on something. is you car throwing any codes? is the TB properly adjusted? This is just a couple of ideas. let me know how it goes

**LankyLS-1** · 05-12-2009, 01:33 PM

1. You didn't destroy the program.
2. If the battery was completely dead for some time, the computer is 'relearning.'
3. Pull PCM BATT & PCM IGN fuses in engine compartment and wait 10-15 minutes. (Although if your battery was dead for a lengthy time, this is already accomplished).
4. The cars act like that in the idle relearn loop. It takes a start/stop cycle or 2 to even it out in most cases.

If that doesn't knock it out, you can look at the IAT, TPS, etc.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 05-12-2009, 03:30 PM

this happened to me, comp wasnt thowing any codes etc... car hadnt even sat or wasnt even dead, same symptoms

i think i reset the computer and it went away, it was really bizzare tho, sucked

keep us posted

**Dr.Crash** · 05-12-2009, 03:32 PM

make sure to check your PCV hoses. the little section just before the manifold seems to crak and break on people every so often. also check to make sure that nothing is obstructing the cable or TB

**midnitejam** · 05-13-2009, 09:40 AM

Thanks for the replies.

The reason for my concern about the pcm program was that it was a custom program which was dialed in while using the info generated by a dyno.

My fears that the pcm would revert back to the factory default program were well founded. Apparently, the custom program was lost.

I had my TA flat-bedded to the local dealership where the battery was replaced.

The seat-of-the-pants meter suggest that I no longer have the custom program. It's way down on power and the speedo indicates no recalibration for the 411 richmonds.

Last summer the car was doing mid/high 12's @ 112-114 mph on street tires.

Moser 411
Complete chasis replacement parts with Hotchkiss (spelling?)
Hooker long tubes
Off road Y-pipes

]

**0rion** · 05-13-2009, 01:36 PM

unless the dealership flashed your pcm with a tech 2 back to stock you didn't lose your custom tune. You can't "lose" a tune.
The high idle could very well be a vacuum leak like durango suggested. Look over all the hoses especially the pcv hose going into the side of the intake. Also, check the air intake between the maf and throttle body.