• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech

surging idle after replacing battery - stalls when a/c is on

  • Thread starter Thread starter bmckenna
  • Start date Start date Aug 5, 2009
B

bmckenna

New Member
Aug 5, 2009
2
0
0
Aug 5, 2009
#1
  • Aug 5, 2009
  • #1
Hey all,

Very new to these forums (about 3 minutes, heh). I've been very bad in terms of keeping a decent maintenance schedule on my '05 GT but am working on getting things right and enjoying learning how to take care of things myself.

The original battery died the other day, and after replacing it and following the instructions in the manual to let the computer re-program, it seemed like the idle is way too low. I got a check engine light, trouble code was for idle low RPM. When driving, if the air conditioning is on, when I come to a stop, about 1/5 of the time the engine stalls. Another 1/5 of the time, it dips low (400ish rpm?) and then goes up to about 1800rpm, and settles around 600rpm. The rest of the time, it dips low (400ish rpm) and goes up to about 7 or 800rpm, and then settles around 600rpm. If the air conditioning is off, it never stalls, but...it's hot, and I'd much rather appreciate driving with the a/c. This has been going on for two days.

After doing some research, I came across this thread:
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/626583-surging-idle-checklist.html

I didn't know how much of it was appropriate, since it's a different engine and an older model, but figured I'd give at least cleaning the throttle body and the MAF sensor a try first, since they seemed easiest and from what a friend was telling me, likely causes. On top of that, I plan on replacing the air filter, fuel filter, and spark plugs in the very near future. Any other suggestions from that page, or things I can ignore from that page, to try and get this fixed myself?

Thanks!
 

SpartaPerformance

10 Year Member
Nov 5, 2006
2,517
61
89
Long Island NY
Aug 5, 2009
#2
  • Aug 5, 2009
  • #2
Two days but how many key cycles?? It will take anywhere from 10 - 20 key cycles for the PCM to relearn, however I do also have some bad news it seems that when the battery dies on these cars some times it gives the PCM a brain fart and they need to be reflashed with an OEM program this sounds like you may need to do this.
 
B

bmckenna

New Member
Aug 5, 2009
2
0
0
Aug 6, 2009
#3
  • Aug 6, 2009
  • #3
Well, looks like cleaning out the throttle body, cleaning off the MAF sensor, and unplugging/reconnecting the battery fixed it. I'm idling at 750 even with the A/C on, and no dips when i come to a stop any more. After 10 miles, no changes.
 

VF143Falcon

New Member
Jan 23, 2009
30
0
0
Aug 6, 2009
#4
  • Aug 6, 2009
  • #4
i would venture a guess it was just that it finally re-learned and thats what fixed it after you disconnected the battery again, but the other maintenence you did is good stuff anyway
 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Aug 6, 2009
#5
  • Aug 6, 2009
  • #5
Some cars are more prone to that than others. My car, '06, has never had an idle problem after any reflashes or the battery change/disconnect.
It's in the owners manual that after doing such, the computer must relearn the idle and other related data. After hooking up the battery, start and let the car idle for a couple minutes with the heat/ac off. Then turn the ac on max and let it idle for another couple minutes. That should do it, if the car ran fine/great before the battery disconnect.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
2007 GT Stalls when lights or a/c turned on
  • ejscarfo
  • Jun 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
129
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech Jun 29, 2026
ejscarfo
E
Engine Surging idle on start-up
  • keel
  • Aug 11, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
905
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
keel
S
Engine Stalls when downshifting/coasting
  • Scott_S
  • Nov 5, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
704
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 6, 2025
Mustang5L5
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1996–1998 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
727
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1999–2004 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
890
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?