rough idle...left maf unpluged when started car twice..by mistake

[RondoAcapriccio]

plugged my maf back in and now its still bad idle.... did i mess my engine up? do i need to reset ECU?

[dnguyen1963]

Unplug the neg cable for your battery for about one hour. Plug it back in and drive around a bit for the ECU to re-learn the new readings.

[RondoAcapriccio]

Unplug the neg cable for your battery for about one hour. Plug it back in and drive around a bit for the ECU to re-learn the new readings.

ok, just my neg cable? also i was going change my plugs, and somehow got the wrong ones from pelicanparts....got wr8lc.... cant plug into wire set, checked two plugs, they both were super dirty..

[Swanny]

Do the plugs need the little caps screwed off to leave the threads exposed?

[RondoAcapriccio]

Do the plugs need the little caps screwed off to leave the threads exposed?

no.

[TG Goose]

unscrew the ends of the spark plugs, ie hold the ceramic in your hand, using pliers unscrew the end that is not the ground strap/electrode.

[dnguyen1963]

ok, just my neg cable? also i was going change my plugs, and somehow got the wrong ones from pelicanparts....got wr8lc.... cant plug into wire set, checked two plugs, they both were super dirty..

Neg cable is enough and, yes, you do need to remove the cap from the spark plug before they can fit into the boot.

[RondoAcapriccio]

Got the plugs cap off, car is running , idle is poor 500 rpms sounds like its running on 4 , car shakes a little when stopped, while driving it seems fine

[dnguyen1963]

Verify which cylinders are not running...check for sparks and fuel at those cylinders.

[RondoAcapriccio]

Verify which cylinders are not running...check for sparks and fuel at those cylinders.

havent verified it yet, but wouldnt the engine run at a higher rpm to compensate for fewer cylinders? car has a little hesitation when going from stop to go.... it was doing it before i had it worked on by my mechanic, then he fixed it, but it started up again since i left the maf unplugged....


im assuming its because the low rpms from not getting enough air... but idk.

[RondoAcapriccio]

replaced spark plugs... engine starts shoots to 1000 rpm, back to 400, then to 1300 to go back to 600 then back to 1500 then steadies at 500, when i pull teh throttle it chokes.


but all cylinders are running.

[dnguyen1963]

Big time vacuum leaks...have a shop perform a smoke test for you.

[RondoAcapriccio]

Big time vacuum leaks...have a shop perform a smoke test for you.

ughhh.... none are open on the weekends in this town..maybe jiffy lube if they do it....... but it was running perfect prior to my mishap.

[Ceeker]

check for vacuum leaks. Unplugging the MAF wouldn't cause the car to permanently run rough. How long were you driving the car for. it takes a while for the dme to relearn everything. while running pull each plug wire one by one and see if the idle changes. the ones that get pulled and the idle doesn't change are the problem ones. I bet however it is something simple that you over looked.

[4DR_Lou]

i always try to avoid unplugging my battery.
did you also gap the spark plugs to specs?
it takes 2-3days for mine to relearn everything.
give it another day, drive around...