Throttle body relearning, will not start

ANDREWMCNEIL32

MEMBER
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU
113,000 MILES

Hello, I have the car listed above that returned a p1516 error code. I replaced the throttle body and now my car won’t start. I feel like it’s an issue with the ECM relearning the new throttle values. If I charge the battery up the engine sounds like it’s turning over but will not fully start. I even have power to my radio etc. However if I don’t charge the battery I get nothing when I try to turn the key. I recently had my battery tested and it was good. I also pulled out the ECM fuse and re inserted it and still no luck. Any advice is appreciated.

Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 AT 5:50 PM

9 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

Good morning,

It sounds like you have battery issues if you have to charge it up to get it to crank. I would do a load test and verify the charging system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

I attached the process for you of the relearn of the throttle body.

Roy

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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 6:04 AM

ANDREWMCNEIL32

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6 POSTS

Thanks for the response Roy. I recently had the battery/alternator/starter checked at a local Autozone and all came back okay. The battery is not holding a charge and even when I’m charging it the engine will not start. I do get power to my radio, etc, though. As soon as I disconnect the jumper cables I lose any power. I’ve yet to be able to start the car.

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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 4:41 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

That is because the battery is dead.

Can you check the voltage at the battery with a voltmeter? You need 12.4 to 12.6 volts.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Roy

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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 4:53 PM

ANDREWMCNEIL32

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Okay, I’ll have to check the voltage. I noticed a little rust on one of the battery terminals too. I might clean that off. Assuming the battery/alternator/ starter are good what can potentially drain the battery that relates to the throttle body? Would a bad fuse or relay cause that? Thanks

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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 4:15 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

No, not at all. One step at a time. Get the battery issue resolved and see what happens.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls-idles-too-high-low-after-dead-or-replaced-battery

Roy

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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 4:27 PM

ANDREWMCNEIL32

MEMBER
6 POSTS

So I’ve had my battery hooked up to a charger for about 45 minutes and it’s been stuck at around 4 volts with my multimeter. I’ve attached an image of the charger I’m using. It appears it’s capable of having it charged already. There’s no power setting so maybe it’s feeding it 350 amps? That seems high. Should I just charge it longer? Or do you think there’s a problem here we could diagnose? Thanks

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Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 AT 5:34 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

Replace the battery. 4 volts is no good. You need 12.4 to 12.6 volts for it to work.

Roy

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Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 AT 6:32 PM

ANDREWMCNEIL32

MEMBER
6 POSTS

I replaced the battery and the car started with no issues. There were no issues adjusting to the new throttle body either. I wonder if disconnecting the negative terminal while replacing the battery helped with that. Thanks for all the help!

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Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 5:12 AM

ASEMASTER6371