2008 Outback after battery disconnect

[gregB]

Over the weekend I disconnected the battery on the wifes 2008 2.5i Limited Outback.  Was hoping that the "soft reset" would allow the CD changer to unload the 5 stuck CD's.  Nope did not work, guess now I have to tear into the dash, bummer.

 

So I cleaned up the positive terminal, reconnected and then started the car, started fine.

 

This morning the wife turned back to the house because the car was low idling, and shutting off.

 

Could the battery being disconnected, have caused saved settings in the ECU to disappear?

 

 

 

Where to start?

 

Greg

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

well, yes the disconnect likely caused the system to run from the factory map and monitors are trying to complete and adjustments are being made to a:f and timing. Surprising though that the car stalled. Is the CEL on? Could the work with the battery cables have caused the problem? triple check that connections are tight and no hoses near the battery and batt. cables were knocked loose.

 

if there is a concern the cd changer is a parasitic load on the battery, you might consider pulling the fuse for its circuit. (on some older models, a stuck CD can drain the battery)

[gregB]

• No CEL on, tight connections, no hoses near the positive terminal.

Came home started up and it was fine.  After slight warm-up came up to a stop, Engine almost died from low idle.  Bumped into neutral, blipped the pedal came right back up. 

 

 

It is an automatic.The car is also  a "drive by wire" throttle system.

 

Local shop thought either it is re-learning or possibly dirty Idle air control valve or MAF?

 

Took a quick look in the shop manual, could not find Idle air control, does the 2008 use that kind of system?

[Fairtax4me]

Cars with electronic throttle don't use an idle air control valve. Idle control is done by the throttle plate.

 

Common on most ETC vehicles for idle settings to be weird after disconnecting the battery.

 

Couple ways you can get the idle to reset faster. Start the engine and let it warm up to operating temp in the driveway. Its best if you can do this from a totally cold start, but can be done after sitting for an hour or so.

Don't use the throttle at all while its warming up. Let the computer do what it needs to do to figure itself out. It may idle high/low or hunt around. Just let it.

 

Once it's warmed up, take it for a drive. 15-20 minutes in a residential neighborhood with stop signs. You need to come to a complete stop for several seconds so the computer can adjust idle speed if necessary. Again if it tried to stall, don't use the throttle to keep it running. If it stalls, put it in park, restart as you normally would start the car, put it in drive, then continue on.

 

After 15-20 minutes stop the car. Turn the engine off. Wait 30 seconds to a minute. Start the engine, then go for a short drive on a highway/freeway where you can maintain a steady speed for 5-10 minutes. After that drive it home, making sure to come to complete stops when stopping. Park it and allow it to cool completely. After that it should be pretty well straightened out.

[gregB]

Last night I started over again. 

 

Disconnected the battery. 

Reconnected the battery.

 

The FSM says to turn the Key to on but do not start for 10-15 seconds.

 

Started car, backed out of garage to put other car in for wife in the am.

 

This morning started and let it idle itself to warm, followed the rest up above  and

 

Thanks for the info

 

 

Greg

[Fairtax4me]