emj

Key won’t turn in car’s ignition after driving to work so car wouldn’t start. Went back to car a few hours later, key turned in the ignition and turned on the car. Had the dealer check the key and it was fine. Went to my mechanic and he put the key in the ignition and toggled about 5 to 10 times by turning the key and turning the car on and off. Dealer and mechanic agree that it might be time for a new key just in case.

Here’s the interesting part. The car had been bogging down on acceleration for about two months. I’d mash the throttle and it would just bog down and choke. Changed the MAF sensor. No change. Ran my code reader and got a bank 2 sensor 1 O2 sensor code. Haven’t changed it yet.

After the toggling of the key in the ignition with my mechanic, the car just suddenly ran at full power. More power than in all of the years I’ve had it. No bogging down, full power through the power band – super fast. My question is, how did this happen? Seems there was a reset in the ECU after the ignition toggling. I understand the key wasn’t reset at the dealer. I can’t believe how much power the car has now. Would like to know what the issue was. Any ideas?

Thanks for your help.

mld1128

would be interested on finding out how this happened. My 2000 does the same thing. When I stomp it...it just bogs down. I have to accelerate at a smooth pace or it happens every time. I know this car has a lot of take off power but somehow I just cant seem to unlock it. How did he reset the ECU?

MagmaRed55

Your problem sounds very similar to the symptoms of a bad TPS. Any engine codes yet?

mld1128

Yeah they were misfire codes P0300,P0302,P0303,P0304,P0305,P0307

mld1128

I've never changed the plugs. Car has 155k on it got it with about 124k. So I don't know if they ever have been changed for that matter.

MagmaRed55

Ahh! Easy enough problem.

mld1128

So the reset fixed your?

MagmaRed55

I haven't had the same issue as the original poster but if I was you I would change those plugs out and see where that leaves you. I don't think there is a way to reset the ECU without plugging it in.

mld1128

Ok thanks. I appreciate the feedback.

mld1128

Ok i appreciate the help.

MagmaRed55

Not a problem. Welcome to the forums!

emj

Did some further research and it appears that my issue with the acceleration bogging down might've been related to the throttle position or the TPS. When my mechanic and I were testing the smart key we turned the key to the on position then back to the off position several times without turning on the car. We then tried the key by turning the car on and off several times and of course each time it worked just fine. This toggling might've reset the TPS though the reset procedure wasn't quite correct (Turn key to the on position, hold gas down, etc). Regardless, it's clear the TPS has been reset because there is absolutely no lag in acceleration now. This transformation only happened after we did the key in the ignition on and off toggling.

As an aside, I changed the MAF with a Bosch replacement, air filters, and fuel filter two months ago trying to fix this problem. Not a waste since the car has over 160k on the clock, I do almost all work on the car myself, and they were due anyway. Unbelievable the performance now.

GatorMB

Tune it with plugs and filters, can't go wrong with preventative maintenance. If the wires appear original replace them. Prevents a lot of grief and hours of troubleshooting issues in the future.

Cheers

MagmaRed55

The TPS was the first thing I repaired on my car. Eventually it will throw a code and stay in the decreased power mode. It actually failed inspection due to this. Cheap fix that I don't have to worry about in the near future.