Let me start from the beginning... My battery died out of the blue last week. It had enough power to start the car and get me to the nearest AutoZone, but barely. It was 6 years old, so I think it was normal.
I had a new battery installed at AutoZone.... and this is where the issues began. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary on the way home, but I was probably not paying close enough attention.
At first (before re-resetting the computer) when I took off from a stop, the car hesitated. Then when I accelerated hard, it seemed to not want to speed up (like it's missing, but not). It also would not idle correctly, the engine kept surging and bucking.
I reset the computer today and I believe everything has been "relearned" properly - however two of the issues still persist. Now the car will idle properly, however if you put the car in gear it "bucks" (for lack of better description) very badly. It behaves like it has a vacuum leak, but only does this when in a drive gear. Neutral and Park are not affected in the least.
Also, when heavily accelerating it seems to not want to "go".
So, here's what I have done...
- Tested the EGR valve (engine tries to die when vacuum applied)
- Tested the IAC (engine almost dies when unplugged)
- Looked for vacuum leaks everywhere I know to (visually)
(PCV valve/hose seems OK, was replaced before)
- Cleaned the throttle body off using appropriate cleaner
- Reset computer (again) and let car learn "idle" properly
All hoses/etc around the battery are still attached, and I watched the guy put it in. The coilpack is relatively new ,as are the spark plugs and the plug wires.
This is a Vulcan engine, and I must state again - the car was running FINE before the battery was changed. Could the battery cause this? Right now I am at the fuel filter - I just find it odd this would suddenly appear when the battery is replaced.
Or could the computer just need to relearn everything? It idles totally fine, at 600 RPM steadily. But when placed in gear, it begins bucking.
I had a new battery installed at AutoZone.... and this is where the issues began. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary on the way home, but I was probably not paying close enough attention.
At first (before re-resetting the computer) when I took off from a stop, the car hesitated. Then when I accelerated hard, it seemed to not want to speed up (like it's missing, but not). It also would not idle correctly, the engine kept surging and bucking.
I reset the computer today and I believe everything has been "relearned" properly - however two of the issues still persist. Now the car will idle properly, however if you put the car in gear it "bucks" (for lack of better description) very badly. It behaves like it has a vacuum leak, but only does this when in a drive gear. Neutral and Park are not affected in the least.
Also, when heavily accelerating it seems to not want to "go".
So, here's what I have done...
- Tested the EGR valve (engine tries to die when vacuum applied)
- Tested the IAC (engine almost dies when unplugged)
- Looked for vacuum leaks everywhere I know to (visually)
(PCV valve/hose seems OK, was replaced before)
- Cleaned the throttle body off using appropriate cleaner
- Reset computer (again) and let car learn "idle" properly
All hoses/etc around the battery are still attached, and I watched the guy put it in. The coilpack is relatively new ,as are the spark plugs and the plug wires.
This is a Vulcan engine, and I must state again - the car was running FINE before the battery was changed. Could the battery cause this? Right now I am at the fuel filter - I just find it odd this would suddenly appear when the battery is replaced.
Or could the computer just need to relearn everything? It idles totally fine, at 600 RPM steadily. But when placed in gear, it begins bucking.