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Has anyone here owned a vehicle that has gone into limp mode? And what was the problem? And what was the fix?
I've had 2 cars go into limp mode.
First was a 2002 BMW M3. One of the Bosch ignition coils had gone bad. Turns out there was a recall on these and all were replaced under warranty by the dealer
Second was a 2011 BMW M3. One of the throttle body actuators had failed. This is a high-failure part on these cars. . . one that I wish that I would have known about before buying it. There are 2, one for each cylinder bank, and the part costs $800+ from the dealer. Total bill to replace 2 is over $2500, parts and labor.
Limp mode means that the car is not getting a needed feedback signal from a sensor, e.g. the oxygen sensor on the exhaust manifold.
When that happens, the car uses a predetermined map of outputs to keep the car going. It might reduce the power or functions and it illuminates the "check engine" lamp.
The purpose is to enable the customer to get home without damaging the engine.
Last time I had a car go into limp mode, it kept engine RPMs under 3000, and it only used 2nd gear. 2nd gear protect the transmission from further damage, 3000rpm protects the motor.
I had never heard of "limp mode" until I got a letter from Hyundai a few months ago telling me of a new knock sensor detection system software update for my 2017 Sonata. I read the letter with much skepticism and assumed initially that this "limp mode" thing was unique to Hyundai due to its recent history of engine failures. The letter talked about putting the car in "limp mode" upon detection of vibrations caused by bearing wear.
Most here and most online sources talk about "limp mode" as though it has been around forever. It hasn't. In a quick search, I could find no solid information tracing its origin. Strange.
Prior to getting that letter from Hyundai, I thought I had good reason to believe that they had put their engine manufacturing problems behind them and that my 2017 had a bright future of reliability ahead. They had previously stated that the engine seizure issues were limited to 2011-2014 models.
I no longer trust them with this insistence that my car needs this new software, along with the model years previously known and admitted to have issues.
Yet another reason to look back fondly at the era when sudden engine seizures were rarer than fatal lightning strikes. My lease ends next June and I've stepped up my search for a replacement. One thing I can say for sure is that my next car will not have a "limp mode".
Guess you'll be buying something well over 10 years old.
Indeed....my ideal would be nothing newer than '75 so as to be CA smog exempt. But I'd settle for an 80s GM G-body or, of course, a Ford Panther....if I could only find the right combo of color, condition, vintage, and price.
My 2005 Ford Escape computer $hit the bed but I could drive it slow/stuttering/shaking/twitching home some 5 miles, then next day start it up and drive it some 10 miles to a repair shop. I believe that is Limp Mode.
I had never heard of "limp mode" until I got a letter from Hyundai a few months ago telling me of a new knock sensor detection system software update for my 2017 Sonata. I read the letter with much skepticism and assumed initially that this "limp mode" thing was unique to Hyundai due to its recent history of engine failures. The letter talked about putting the car in "limp mode" upon detection of vibrations caused by bearing wear.
Most here and most online sources talk about "limp mode" as though it has been around forever. It hasn't. In a quick search, I could find no solid information tracing its origin. Strange.
My mid 90's Buick had a limp mode. In fact it went into limp mode once, when my knock sensor wires, were shorting out on the oil pan. It's a function on cars that's been around for awhile. Practically any car with a knock sensor will have a limp mode.
My mid 90's Buick had a limp mode. In fact it went into limp mode once, when my knock sensor wires, were shorting out on the oil pan. It's a function on cars that's been around for awhile. Practically any car with a knock sensor will have a limp mode.
I gather that is about when much of this technology emerged. On my timeline, that is very new since most of my automotive experience and most of my cars pre-date that.
My last 2 cars prior to my current Sonata were '95 Ford Panthers, a Crown Vic and a Lincoln Town Car. To the best of my knowledge, no panthers ever had a limp mode. Lots of check engine codes, yes, but never a "limp mode". I retired a '71 Bonneville when I bought my Crown Vic. The last thing a Pontiac 455 would ever do is limp.
Limp mode is a security function for your engine and transmission. ... The limp mode does often reduce the power and limit the RPM of the engine so you can drive your car to a workshop without damaging the engine
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