'99 E150-runs poor after battery disconnected

equium · #1 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 12:27 PM

I had to remove my battery to get to my Blower motor resistor. The battery was removed for about an hour or so. After re-installing the battery, my check engine light went OFF (yes, off) and ran a little rough. It seemed to clear after a trip to the movies.
My wife just called and complained it's running rough and the check engine light is back on.
any ideas?
thanks

Club Wagon · #2 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 01:06 AM

I've heard OBDII can loose some of it's adaptive memory when battery is disconnected & older vehicles that have strayed from the straight & narrow may run poorly until the computer relearns the aging values. It can revert to programed values. This can take several start/stop, hot/cold, cycles. It can also happen when new components are installed, the computer needs to go thru a few cycles to learn the new values. Can make you pull hair out when the new gizmo doesn't immediately solve the problem. Give it an hour or several start/stop cycles. If CEL persists scan the fault code.

equium · #3 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Club Wagon

I've heard OBDII can loose some of it's adaptive memory when battery is disconnected & older vehicles that have strayed from the straight & narrow may run poorly until the computer relearns the aging values. It can revert to programed values. This can take several start/stop, hot/cold, cycles. It can also happen when new components are installed, the computer needs to go thru a few cycles to learn the new values. Can make you pull hair out when the new gizmo doesn't immediately solve the problem. Give it an hour or several start/stop cycles. If CEL persists scan the fault code.

Good Call Club Wagon. By the end of the day, my wife reported that the van was behaving well; but the Check Engine light did come back on. Now I just have to get the code read 'cause I need a smog check.

equium · #4 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 06:04 PM

Update: The check engine light was due to a disconnected PCV valve. I replaced it and the Check engine light went off and I passed smog with no problems.
Now here's the kicker: My van has been running like crap ever since the Smog check! Could they have done something? I replaced the fuel filter thinking it may be plugged but that did not help. Air cleaner is fine. I have less power than before the smog check. pulls hills like I'm towing something heavy. I don't hear a miss. Any suggestions?
thanks