Engine shakes after cleaning battery terminals

[dr3wd3zi]

Corolla S 05 with +130,000 miles

Battery terminals had heavy corrosion, so I decided to clean them with baking soda and water. After finishing up, I applied petroleum jelly around the terminals to prevent the problem from reoccurring. Went to turn on my car and forgot the keys in the ignition which killed my 08/11 battery. Jump started it and noticed a violent shaking when the a/c was turned on. It eventually died again, so I thought maybe it was the dead battery causing it to shake. Bought a new one and applied the same substance to the terminals after installation. Turned the car on to see if everything was fine, and the shaking happened again. So I'm assuming it isn't the battery at this point. Is it the jelly I put over the terminals? It was my first time trying it. Or was it all just a bad coincidence and time for a tune up? Any ideas? Thanks guys.

 

[SatinSilver]

I experienced this on the 05 Matrix, common problem on Toyotas. See HERE for more info.

 

[mikered30]

Very common on Toyotas. Carbon builds up on the throttle body butterfly valve and is reset during voltage loss. Cleaning the throttle body with a Toothbrush and throttle body cleaner should work.

 

[Chewie]

Petroleum jelly isn't the best for battery terminals because the engine heat will just cause it to melt and run. Dielectric grease or silicone paste would be better. Also, you may have done this, but for other people who want to coat their battery terminals, make sure to tighten the cable-post connection BEFORE applying the coating to ensure a good electrical connection.

 

[dr3wd3zi]

Thanks for the responses. Really wish I learned about this forum sooner. Great information from great people.

 

[Reggaemon]

My Corolla would run poorly and shake after I would disconnect the battery. After it ran for about 5 minutes it would be ok.
I always thought it was just the computer lost its setting and had to relearn them.

 

[BrocLuno]

You can put the vasoline or whatever on the metal surfaces and then tighten. The high/low points will still contact right trough a light grease like that.

We use much heavier grease in the marine environment to keep the salt water off the connections and they never fail to make. Grease of most sorts has no insulating potential becasue it just moves out of the way

 

[Colt45ws]

I experianced a similar problem, actually much worse, with a 2005 F150 that I unhooked the battery on. It wouldnt even hardly run. Then I took the throttle body off the engine and cleaned it with brake cleaner which just melted all the carbon out of it. It ran like the day it was made.
So this isn't limited to Toyota. Im convinced its a Drive By Wire problem, and that the throttle bodies need maintenance cleaning in the 100-150k mark.
I think what is going on is the thottle blade is sticking and the PCM is overshooting because once it starts moving it then moves too far.

 

[Trav]

I just did an 06 Corolla and it did the same thing 23K on this one with a spotless TB.
I turned on the A/C and let it idle for a min in drive, then about 5 min in park, it got right after a few min.
Just a relearn that's all, its common with a lot of cars.

 

[AcuraTL]

What is the idle speed at? If it's within spec (500-850rpm usually but yours may differ) it's not the throttle body. I've seen computers get fried when a battery is very dead and it's jump started. On the Fords, if they start at all, they have a horrible miss. If I were betting, I would guess low idle speed and it needs a little time to lean or the TB needs a cleaning as suggested. For the learning process on most cars I just turn the AC on and let it cycle on and off, put it in drive and neutral (or park) randomly, and do small revs and let it find idle. 4 bangers will really vibrate badly from a low idle. Was it the same in drive and in park?

 

[dr3wd3zi]

Drove it around for about 10 minutes, and everything went back to normal just like some of you guys said it would. Thanks for the advice guys. Appreciate it a million!

 

[Eddie]

Some days it doesn't pay to fix what isn't broken)