Just wondering how important the Idle Learn Procedure is.

Reason: Most of the work done to a TGP requires the removal of the battery ground, and in my GM service manuals if the ground is removed, you have to hook it up to a TECH 1 and tell it to learn the idle.  :?

Is there some way of doing this without having to take it to my local GM dealer?

Unless there is something extremely special about the TGP computer, all you have to do is disconnect the battery ground for a minute or so. That will reset the computer, forcing it to relearn everything...idle included.

Formula305

That's what I have always thought to. But why would the manual specifically say this on page 6C-5 under:

Idle Learn Procedure (All 3.1 engines)

Anytime the battery is disconnected, the programmed position of the IAC valve pintle is lost, and replaced with a "default" value. To return the IAC valve pintle to the correct position, perform the following procedure:

1 Restore Battery
2 Connect Tech I Scan Tool
3 select IAC system, then select "Idle Learn" in the Misc Test mode.
4 Proceed with idle learn as directed.
This allows the ECM memory to be updated with the correct IAC valve pintle position, for the vehicle, and provide a stable idle speed.

Thats word for word. Why so much trouble just so it can relearn idle?
I hope someone can explain this to me.

Thanks for your info...

That's very odd. I haven't gotten my TGP service manual yet but in my experience with GM cars I have never seen that. My best guess would be that they tell you to set the IAC pintle position with a scan tool to improve drivability during the idle learn process. The computer is adaptable and always changing the IAC position depending on many different variables that change on a daily basis. I am sure that it is simply a technicality that can be over looked by us backyard mechanics, simply a convienience for those people with a tech 1 (aka dealerships) :?

As far as I know, the 3.1/2.8 is the only one that really needs the idle relearn.

Its not incredibly important to do the idle relearn. However, the car may stall for a few days until it relearns the idle position. If it stalls rigth away after starting it and the battery was disconnected, keep cranking through the stall. It will learn the idle faster and stay running. There is also a procedure that involves letting it run for 5 min, turning it off, and letting it run 5 more minutes or so until to relearn the idle.

There is an easier way to reset the ecm. Pull the yellow fuse in the fuel pump relay box on the left strut tower. That will clear the ecm memory.

Take a look at this website. It has two methods. The first one worked for me, I didn't have to try the second one. Let us know how you make out.
http://www.60degreev6.com/articles/maint/general/idle.html