First proper run out - problem!

[Wiz]

Cleaned the car up for the first time this year and set out for a run over to the coast. Within a couple of miles decided to go back

It's just not running right, starts no problem but is hesitent and has no real power. No misfire, run on etc.

Went out for a quick run to warm it up for an oil change last month and it ran perfect then.

Gave it a full service over winter and every thing should be fine. New fuel filter and plugs etc.

[Barkychoc]

Have you had the battery off or has it run flat?

Could be the warmup / cooldown cycle needs to complete to let the ECU sort out its settings. If it is this you may find next time you take it out its perfect.

[Wiz]

Have had the battery off for a couple of weeks, haven't changed anything engine wise apart from cleaning up the rocker covers, new plugs and cleaning the air filter. Will have a look at the electrical connections tomorrow might have caught something whilst tinkering under the bonnet.

[Wiz]

Chris your a star - Took it out for a tonight after work back to its glorious self again

Never even heard of the battery - ecu reset thing before.

Thanks for that

[Barkychoc]

I'm only repeating what TVRGIT posted before....

[tvrgit]

Barkychoc said:

I'm only repeating what TVRGIT posted before....

I wondered if you would remember that it was me what posted that before.

Did I ever mention that I found a manual on ECUs recently that confirms that is exactly what happens? Most adaptive ECUs lose their "learned" settings when they lose their power supply, apparently.

[ketvrin]

Thats why I ditched that Battery Isolator switch - which seemed like a good idea at the time... the theory being that each time I parked the car up, for extra security I would just disconnect the battery - until I saw your advice on the ECU reset I was sure I had a tuning problem ...

You live and learn...

K

[jimed]

Just as a matter of interest - but how long a run does it take for the ECU to sort out the memory bit - and after the run do you have to switch the engine of for it to take effect or if you are on a decent run will it just happen as you drive along? Any ideas?
Jim

[ketvrin]

IIRC it took about four or five full cold/hot cycles before mine fully settled down...

K