GM Truck Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) Relearn Procedure

Poor idle after a GM Throttle Body replacement install? We show you how to perform the PCM relearn procedure so your vehicle runs normally.

Instructions:
1) Start and idle the engine in park for 3 mins (0:54)
2) Turn ignition off for 60 sec (1:05)
3) Start and idle the engine in park for 3 mins again. At this point, the engine should be idling normally. (1:08)
NOTE: Check engine light may illuminate indicating idle speed diagnostic trouble.

If idle speed has not been relearned, it may be necessary to drive the vehicle at speeds above 44 MPH.
After the drive cycle, engine should idle correctly; if not:
4) Turn the ignition off for 60 sec and repeat Step 3 (1:43)

Was this video helpful. If so, make sure to like it, and be sure to subscribe to our channel.

**Disclaimer**
At CARDONE we cannot guarantee against improper interpretation or application of the information we present in this video. You should always follow the enclosed safety guidelines, consult your OE repair manual for correct specifications when performing any install or repair procedure. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user, and not of CARDONE Industries.

[jimlilly]

After cleaning the throttle body on my 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 I did this procedure and it worked like a charm. Many thanks. Maybe add a warning to not touch your gas pedal while performing this procedure.

[xoticyt]

I was told id have to bring my cobalt into the shop at only 75300k to do all sorts of relearns when the car can manage it itself with a little bit of patience thank you for saving me the hassle and money

[goldstarinspections]

It worked. I performed the steps multiple times with no success. Started up the truck the next morning after a 30 min drive the night before and it seemed to be ok. Drove it that evening and the problem came back. The next morning it seemed to be fine so I performed the learning procedure with a stopwatch starting and shutting off the truck right on time. (2 times) then drove it problem fixed. Hope this helps.

[jaypruiett]

Excellent video. Thanks for the great info. My 2003 Escalade, 6.0l Vortec with electronic throttle control was idling too high after I cleaned the throttle body and I didn't know how to fix it until after you described "idle re-learn". The two 3-minute idle cycles with a 1-minute cycle in-between worked like a champ.

[JoseGuerrero-trln]

I cleaned my throttle body on my 07 Tahoe after my idle was high.
I follow these steps after the drive cycle and drove it couple of days after it work perfectly. Thank you for this video.
And to the people that say you need a scan tool YOU DONT .

[rogerreynolds]

After one video from another guy saying it cant be done without dealer equipment. And he was a rude person cussing in his video.i found this one and did exactly what it said and it fixed my Sierra I've been messing with for a month thanks guys for the great information.

[hannahrambow]

Just so u know. I want over 10 other vids about my vehicle that wasnt a gm. An infact not one spoke like u did. So thank u. I appreciated the video

[silverado-vtfp]

Hello everyone. 178, 000 miles on my 08 2500HD with LY6 6.0L gas. SES light came on YEARS ago. O'Reilly code reader showed Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) code. Always ran perfectly with no loss of power or fuel mileage. Finally got around to work on it. My Chevy dealership sold me a new TPS (Part # 19259452). $33.18. It does not include the entire TB. Only the plastic part that is clipped on. Came with 6 new clips too. I removed the TPS, cleaned the TB while TPS was off so as not to damage electronics, clipped on new TPS and fired 'er up. Had the common 2000 rpm idle. Performed the idle speed relearn several times as described in this video. Did not solve high idle issue. Thanks to Cory Hayden's comment about his PCV valve not being plugged in, I decided to recheck my work. Yep...forgot to reattach PCV. Cleared codes again by disconnecting battery for a couple mins and performed relearn procedure once more. Lo and behold...it solved all issues!!! Be sure sure to check for any vaccuum leaks (i.e. PCV valve) after reassembly. Hope this helps.

[argentino]

Today I replaced my throttle body on my 07 GMC Acadia, turned it on and I guess I was lucky because the RPM was normal, not high or low, but I still did what you said on the video, the reason I changed it was because I was getting reduced engine power message, I hope this fix the problem. Thanks cardone

[magicjack]

I had a check engine light couldn't get it to work retried the step 123 numerous times cleared the check engine light worked on the first try u took my worries away thanks for the

[Newyellowcab]

I finally found the way to fix that storbon idle problem. Mine was so bad that I actually prematurely wore out my brake pads!
I used a combination of several methods, (or trouble shooting techniques). PLEASE PAY ATTENTION and follow my instructions down to the letter / second.
First I disconnected the battery, I then removed the throttle body and replaced the air filter. I thoroughly cleaned and reinstalled the throttle body. and then hooked the battery back up.
I then performed the following "Reprogramming procedure" :

#1 I started it up and let it Idle for exactly 3 min.
#2 I shut it off for exactly one min,
#3 I started it up and idled it for 3 min.

I then took it on the highway, I set the "Cruise control" at 70.
I used the "Cruise control accelerate switch" (on the blinker arm) to throttle up past 75,
I then disengaged the " Cruse Control" and allowed the vehicle to decelerated down to 60,
I then repeated that tree times.
I drove it home and shut it off for 15 min.
When I restarted it I let it idle till it got to its running temp and it has been perfect ever since. " THANK GOD!. I actually wore out my brakes

[bobbymccaskill]

The Harbor Freight Zurich ZR15 Code Reader for $300 will do Idle Relearn, it's bi-directional, so only this one, not the cheaper models. That will save you from spending the big money on a high end scan tool if you're not in that market.
The process in this video didn't work. I tried it many many times, tried suggestions in the comments, tried it with the heater on, disconnecting the battery, clearing codes, while patting my head and rubbing my stomach. You have to do the idle relearn.
I replaced the throttle body on a 2008 Silverado and the rpms stayed rock solid at 3000 rpms... Ran the idle relearn with this code reader tool and it was an isntant fix

[epann]

Thank you so much. It pays to watch the professionals. All the home mechanics just say "good to go." No, it needs to be done right.

[ZaxvidZ]

Thank YOU!!! After multiple videos and dozens of threads, this finally did it for my 08 patriot after throttle body replacement !!!

[jamesbode]

Sir, after cleaning my throttle body and MAF on a 2007 suburban Z71 5.3L, (battery disconnected through entire procedure), I connected everything and started the motor. The idle sat at approximately 2500 rpm. I drove it for 70 miles and it still ran at 2000 rpm. I again disconnected the battery terminal...pressed the brake pedal 3 times...reconnected the battery and started the engine (disconnected batter for about 60 seconds) runs like a champ now. Thank you!

[abusaleh]

I cleaned my tahoe 2012 throttle and after starting the car goes to 4k RPM !, I switched the car off and did the following. First, I disconnect the battery completely. Then, I left the car without battery connection for 24 hours. Then connect the battery gain and start the car and left it running for 3 minutes. The RPM increased to 2K RPM and then decreases. After 3 minutes, I switched the car off for 3 minutes. Then start the car again and left it running for 3 minutes. Then the car off for 3 minutes. Then start it again and drive. It works for me and I hope it works for you as well.

[benmullins]

Cleaned the throttle body on my ‘11 Malibu and the car wouldn’t start. Then it finally started on the third try and was idling at 3k RPM. Got scared for a minute then watched this video. All is good now.

[DUBcars]

I didn’t replace my throttle body but cleaned it on my 07 avalanche and driving it for a week or 2 eventually brought the idle back to normal

[Antgreen]

100% works- disconnect negative battery terminal, pump brake 3 times—- reconnect battery. Rpm will jump to around 1800 then level right off within seconds...

[billalderton]

I have a 2009 Envoy. The car was going into limp mode with a code P2135. (rough idle, stalling, 2 times same day). Replaced the throttle body with a new Bosch unit for the 2009 Envoy. The old TB was fairly well carboned. I performed the relearn, it is idling at 700-800 after about 5 seconds after starting. However, when you start to press the accelerator, the car leaches because the engine jumps to 1200 RPM. You just have to barely move the pedal for this to occur. If you are moving and stop, wait 5 seconds, the idle will return to 700-800. If you are in park and you place the car in drive, sometimes the car will increase to 1200 rpm as noted above. I did not have this issue with the old Throttle body. I have driven the car 50 miles with speeds of 50 mph with many stop and go, I am not seeing any improvements. Any ideas? I can't find anything on the internet describing this issue I am experiencing when replacing the throttle body.