2000 Dodge Dakota SLT Won't idle

Tiny
TERESAHELGESON
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
2 weeks ago my husband accidentally left the keys in the ignition in the "On" position and overnight and the next morning the battery was dead. We filled the low battery cells with distilled water and put the battery on a charger. It now starts but won't idle when cold and sometimes even after it has warmed up. Is this a fuel filter problem, a battery problem or something else?
Thursday, February 10th, 2011 AT 6:18 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Whenever the system loses power the computer loses all it's adaptive memory which includes the idle strategy. If it doesn't clear up on it's own shortly, disconnect the battery again and start over.
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Thursday, February 10th, 2011 AT 6:39 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
Simple fix to relearn that "minimum throttle". Drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals. The Engine Computer needs to see high manifold vacuum for seven seconds to know the truck is moving and the throttle is fully released. This will occur eventually which is why it appears to clear up by itself.
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Thursday, February 10th, 2011 AT 10:59 PM

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