Notices
Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8

Freezing temperatures caused battery to die -- changed battery but now car stalls?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 02-03-2011, 08:17 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
sagar770's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Freezing temperatures caused battery to die -- changed battery but now car stalls?

I would appreciate any help on this.

Basically, we had freezing temperatures for 2 days which caused my battery to die overnight. It was an old battery and pretty hosed, so I got a new battery. I put it in, started up like a champ.

Now, after the engine heats up (after about driving for 10 mins), the car will just die (stall) whenever I brake or put the car into neutral when slowing down. The engine light and battery will come on. I can start the car back up, give it some gas and put it into 1st and it's fine...until I slow down or stop and it will die again.

What could this be? Alternator? This has never happened before my battery died. Keep in mind that the temperature is still below freezing outside (21 degree F). It is suppose to get above freezing by Saturday morning.

Any help would be appreciated.
Old 02-03-2011, 08:31 PM
  #2  
Time for boost...
iTrader: (24)
 
RX8Soldier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 5,414
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 14 Posts
are the battery connections on tight? Did you clean the terminals? Reset the ECU?
Old 02-03-2011, 08:36 PM
  #3  
Moder8
iTrader: (1)
 
04Green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oviedo, Florida
Posts: 2,578
Received 49 Likes on 31 Posts
It is the engine controller re-learning the car. It seems to learn idle last, even slower in the cold. A few drive cycles should do it. Just make sure the car cools down between them. Option 2 is sit with it, and use the gas to keep it running, 1,100 RPM, when smooth, go to 1,000, then 900 then 800. Takes about 5 minutes, but is the best approach I have found. Once it figures out idle, you are golden.
Old 02-03-2011, 08:40 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
sagar770's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The terminals were sort of dirty...and no I didn't reset the ECU. I'm going to try that now and I'll get back to you in 30 minutes or so.

Thanks!
Old 02-03-2011, 08:52 PM
  #5  
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
 
Mazurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
If you had the battery unplugged for any length of time, then the ECU reset itself, so go back and read 04Green's post again.
I always just go with option 1.
It should relearn the fuel trims in two complete drive cycles.


Oh................and shame on you for changing the battery, but not cleaning the terminals!

Last edited by Mazurfer; 02-03-2011 at 08:55 PM.
Old 02-03-2011, 09:41 PM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
sagar770's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok, I just cleaned the terminals, and made sure they are on tight.I also reset the ECU (KAM and NVRAM). The issue is still occuring.

So a few drive cycles should do it? I've already driven it twice for about 15 minutes each (and it did get a chance to cool down because the temp gauge was at "C" the second time.

I guess I'll give it some more time and reply if it's not ok by tomorrow.

Thanks guys!
Old 02-03-2011, 09:43 PM
  #7  
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
 
Mazurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
Yeah, wait till tomorrow.
15 minutes as cold as you weather is.....you may not have gotten the water temp above 160F, and it has to fall quite low(I forget the number), then that = one cycle.

I'm assuming you had no issues at all prior to this battery going?
Old 02-03-2011, 09:53 PM
  #8  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
sagar770's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nope, zero problems before the battery died...
Old 02-04-2011, 02:12 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
604Veilside8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC..eh!
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ya my car was doing the same thing when I cleaned my throttle body and intake. Ran like shitttt for a couple drives then it went back to normal. I guess it wasn't used to having the extra air..
Old 10-28-2014, 08:32 PM
  #10  
Registered
 
Magnaflowrx8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Having this same problem changed coils plugs wires E shaft sensor I'm thinking fuel pump or thottlebody/Iac or ssv

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App
Old 10-30-2014, 11:58 AM
  #11  
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
nycgps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 19,881
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
no, it's because your engine does not have perfect compression. and the ECU needs a few drive cycles to make the right adjustment.

drive it for a few days and it should go away.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Skyl3r
New Member Forum
148
12-02-2019 04:51 PM
Wantingtoknow
New Member Forum
24
12-15-2016 02:25 PM
Jesus Martinez
Series I Tech Garage
42
03-23-2016 09:08 PM
MarkX
New Member Forum
3
07-31-2015 07:50 AM
T_Mags
New Member Forum
9
07-24-2015 11:29 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Freezing temperatures caused battery to die -- changed battery but now car stalls?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:43 PM.