Resettting ECU caused idling problems

andy · Post by **andy** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:15 am

Hi guys,

I've just treated myself to a tank of 98 RON fuel (you need a second mortgage for that in the UK) rather than the usual 95 rubbish I stoop to. To make sure I get the most from it I disconnected the battery for an hour to clear the ECU. Since then the car won't hold an idle other than when it's first started. I've only done a few km's so far and I'm hoping it will learn to idle soon!

I think I had the same problem when I shipped the car from Australia to the UK and the battery went flat in transit. I blamed my Dad for stalling at the time - but maybe it was the same thing.

Does anyone understand what is going on? I can't believe an advancded engine like ours needs to learn to idle!

Cheers
Andy

Manual GPX

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:51 am

Sounds like the stepper motor, i digged up few link which might help you out.

http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... 30&start=0

http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... pper+motor

http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... pper+motor

barfy · Post by **barfy** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:46 pm

Did you run the petrol really low before filling up ? If so all the sh*t that was in the bottom of the tank may have got your injectors dirty. I had a problem when i ran my tank really low a few times in a row whereby when i started it i heard a loud bang and it wouldnt idle properly and would bunny hop at low speed.

It ended up being a tube popped off cant remember which one i think it was postive something or rather went up to the rocket cover apparently.

andy · Post by **andy** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:29 am

Nice one - thanks for taking the time to find the links.

I'll give it 10 minutes idling followed by a good drive to see if it can learn to idle again and let you know how it goes.

I did run the tank down quite low, but not low enough to get the fuel light on, so hopefully I haven't dragged any rubbish through the system. It would be an amazing coincidence if the stepper motor started playing up on the day I reset the ECU, so it should just be a case of letting the car learn how to run again.

I still find it hard to believe that such an advanced engine can forget how to idle, but there you go.

Cheers again
Andy

bigpitty1 · Post by **bigpitty1** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:11 pm

I have reset my ecu, it took mine a week to relearn as I only drove my car like twice a week, and when I get to the traffic lights, its just about to stall, but it picks up and hunts abit.

I wouldn't go thinking its the stepper motor just yet, just give it some time.

andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:13 am

I'm sure you're right - like you I don't get out in mine much, so I haven't driven it since I did the 10 minute idle.

I'll report back once I've done a few miles.

cb · Post by cb » Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:50 pm

does resetting your ECU reap many benefiets? What problems can it cause?

bigpitty1 · Post by **bigpitty1** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:20 pm

resetting you ECU is like starting the car for the first time, but the only problem is the idle, it takes time, about a week or 2 mine got good, but it still has to fine tune itself

andy · Post by **andy** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:35 am

Good news at last!

The car is now holding an idle every time I come to some lights etc. As to whether it has made any difference, I haven't had chance to open her open up properly, where I'm really likely to feel the difference of the high octance fuel. The main thing is that we're friends again!

Cheers for the help - and if you guys do the same thing, don't forget to let the ECU re-learn its job before you take it out for some real fun.

Cheers
Andy.