Engine stalls idles too high low after dead or replaced battery

Stalls After Dead or New Battery

Car Engine Stalls
Car Stalling

Helpful Information

When the main power source is disconnected or reconnected it has a small chance of knocking out the computer idle memory learn procedure which has to be relearned to continue normal engine idle operation.

Easy step by step guide on how to repair an automotive engine that is stalling after a new battery has been installed, this information pertains to most vehicles.

Difficulty Scale: 1 of 10

Begin with the vehicle on level ground engine off (cold) with the emergency brake set.

Step 1 - After a new battery has been installed, the engine could idle low or stall out altogether. When this happens hold the accelerator pedal to help engine to continue to run. This will allow time for the computer to relearn its adjustments, this may need to be done until the engine has warmed up to operating temperature and driven awhile, the engine should then re-gain it's idle properties. Learn more

Replacing Battery

Step 2 - Sometime a high idle condition can occur after a new battery has been installed, this is the opposite of the engine stalling but share the same malfunction, the computer is unable to control idle speed. Simply drive the vehicle for a short time for the idle to subside to normal operation.