Relearn the Idle (Idle Air Volume Learning)

Last updated: June 10, 2026

If your Nissan Note (E12, 2013–2017) idles rough, surges, or hangs high after you disconnected the 12-volt battery or cleaned the throttle body, the engine has lost its learned idle-air setting. The E12 Note’s petrol engines (1.2 HR12DE, 1.2 supercharged HR12DDR, 1.6 HR16DE) use a fully electronic throttle — there is no idle screw. The ECM teaches itself the idle-air volume, and that learned value is erased any time power is cut to the throttle actuator or the engine computer. The cure is Nissan’s Idle Air Volume Learning relearn, an owner pedal sequence that needs no scan tool.

When you need the idle relearn

• The 12-volt battery was disconnected or went flat.
• The throttle body was cleaned, removed, or unplugged.
• The ECM was replaced or its connector disturbed.
• Idle is hunting or sitting high, or you have a stored P0507 high-idle code.

This applies to the petrol European Note E12. It is non-destructive — a missed step just means the relearn doesn’t complete and you start again, with nothing harmed.

Pre-conditions — all must be true

• Engine fully warmed to operating temperature (70–100 °C) — drive 10–15 minutes first; the relearn won’t take on a cold engine.
• Battery above 12.9 V at idle — the most common reason the relearn fails on the Note is a tired or just-reconnected battery.
• Selector in P or N (CVT) or Neutral (manual), handbrake on.
• All loads OFF: A/C, lights, heated rear screen, blower, radio.
• Front wheels pointing straight ahead.
• A stopwatch ready — five pedal presses inside five seconds is the tight window.

The full Idle Air Volume Learning relearn

1. Stage 1 — Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning. Pedal fully released, ignition ON (engine off), wait at least 2 seconds, ignition OFF, wait at least 10 seconds. Repeat the ON/OFF cycle once more.
2. Stage 2 — Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning. Pedal released, ignition ON, then OFF, wait at least 10 seconds. You should hear the throttle motor cycling during those 10 seconds — that confirms it took.
3. Stage 3 — Idle Air Volume Learning (the pedal dance). Start the warm engine and idle it, then turn ignition OFF and wait at least 10 seconds. Confirm the pedal is fully released, turn ignition ON and wait exactly 3 seconds. Fully depress and fully release the accelerator 5 times within 5 seconds — full strokes, on the stopwatch. Wait about 7 seconds, then hold the pedal flat to the floor. After roughly 20 seconds the blinking engine warning light stops blinking and glows steady. Release the pedal within 3 seconds of it going steady.
4. Start the engine and let it idle. Blip the throttle two or three times and confirm idle settles smoothly to the normal 650–750 rpm.

If the idle is still rough

• The light never blinked in Stage 3 — a timing window was missed. Switch off and restart from Stage 1.
• Weak or just-reconnected battery — charge fully above 12.9 V and retry. This is the single most common cause on the E12.
• Slight drift for the first minutes, then settles — normal; drive a short mixed cycle.
• Still hunting after a good relearn — suspect a vacuum leak (an intake hose disturbed during the work) or a dirty throttle plate that needs cleaning first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Note E12 need a scan tool for the idle relearn?

No. The pedal-sequence Idle Air Volume Learning is Nissan’s owner method for the petrol Note and needs no CONSULT or aftermarket tool.

Why does my Note idle high after a battery disconnect?

The disconnect wiped the ECM’s learned idle-air volume. Until it relearns, the throttle holds a default opening that is too high, so the engine hangs at 1,200 rpm or more and hunts. The relearn restores the correct value.

Does the supercharged 1.2 DIG-S relearn the same way?

Yes — the pedal sequence is identical for the HR12DDR supercharged Note. After the relearn, also check the supercharger inlet hose is seated, as a small leak there will make the idle hunt again.

The relearn worked but idle still wanders slightly. Normal?

A brief wander while fuel trims re-adapt is normal; a 10-minute drive clears it. Lasting surge points to a vacuum leak or a dirty throttle.

Can I damage anything if the pedal timing is wrong?

No. A mistimed sequence simply fails to complete — the light won’t go steady — and you start over. The relearn writes only the idle-air value.

If a throttle or idle code such as P0507 or a throttle-position fault stays stored after the relearn, find out what it means and which part it points to at autodtcs.com.