I am at a loss and am not ready to take it to my dealer to have them look into this (last time my visit went from rear brake pad replacements to 1300 dollars worth of "well this is also in need of ..." stuff.

I recently had a battery die and after replacing the battery as well as the alternator the car is now idling somewhat low. Out of gear, it is idling at about 750, once in gear it is just slightly over 500, this is with every bit of electronics turned off. As soon as I turn anything on (heater/ac, fog/head lights, wipers, radio) it drops to just under 500 and barely above stalling.

When/after replacing the alternator, I have also noticed a ticking sound (almost like a diesel engine) from the engine that in the back of my mind I think I have noticed before but not really paid any attention to. Now it seems to be much louder. To me it sounds much like my previous car would when the oil was low, however the oil levels are good and the oil was just changed.

I would really appreciate any help/ideas/suggestions on either/both of these, thanks guys.

 

The diesel sound is caused by low oil pressure due to the low idle causing the VVT to slam around. I had this when I installed my hot Rod cams and set the idle too low.

 

Assuming when you replaced the battery you didn't keep the computer powered up , you need to do the idle relearn procedure out lined in the owners manual. That may help with the idle part

 

thanks guys, I do not know how (must be all the new girls coming in for the new term) , but I have totally blanked on the procedure and will go through it when I get out to the car this afternoon. Hopefully that will solve the problems.