Wisconsin S2k

The last 3 days in a row, my car has done something odd.

It hasn't been all that cold (30 or 40 degrees). But when my car sits overnight or for a long time, I go start it up, and it does so right away.

Then I have the clutch in (or the car in neutral) to let it warm up, but a few seconds after I start it, it revs up to 2000rpm (like normal for the car to warm up) but then the revs drop drop drop, and the car just dies. Just like that. I then have to start the car again, but this time it stays on.

any ideas what this could be? My oil level is fine, and it was changed about 1000 miles ago. I have no CEL at all.

Carlson

Coolant level?

Utah S2K

Probably your ECU is "normalizing". The OBD-II system has two fuel reference points known as STFT and LTFT (short and long term fuel trim respectively). If there has been a major temp or elevation change the system may be normalizing for lack of a better term. The ECU compares STFT and LTFT. It may be that there is a small disconnect between the milivolt reading between the two. Hate to say it but my recollection is it's about 30 cycles to reset the setting. Grab a beer and warm her up....then cool her down...then warm her up....then cool her down. After 30 cycles or so you should be home free. Sorry I can't give specific number of thermal cycles as my neighbor has my OBD-II manual.

Utah

Wisconsin S2k

Actually I just checked my coolant level and it's very low. It's just above the MINIMUM level.

How would coolant level affect my car starting up and stalling like that?

cdelena

It would have NO affect. It is not fluid levels.

Wisconsin S2k

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Utah S2K
[B]Probably your ECU is "normalizing". The OBD-II system has two fuel reference points known as STFT and LTFT (short and long term fuel trim respectively). If there has been a major temp or elevation change the system may be normalizing for lack of a better term. The ECU compares STFT and LTFT. It may be that there is a small disconnect between the milivolt reading between the two. Hate to say it but my recollection is it's about 30 cycles to reset the setting. Grab a beer and warm her up....then cool her down...then warm her up....then cool her down. After 30 cycles or so you should be home free. Sorry I can't give specific number of thermal cycles as my neighbor has my OBD-II manual.

Wisconsin S2k

Thanks again Utah S2k.

It took me about 20 times, and 2 beers. lol.

But I went and started it again today, and it worked fine.

Utah S2K

Great it worked out for you!

Utah

xviper

My car has done this every fall season when the temp starts to get cooler. I just let it stall and eventually it "learns". I try to tell people this but I've never had the "real" explanation for what's going on. Thanks Utah. This is just what I needed to know.