Limp Mode

David Bevis · Newbie

Limp Mode

PeterInSa · Guru

David, to me, all modern vehicles have engines/equipment modified/designed to get maximum efficiency and are smaller/lighter/less cost. These vehicles can have a number of computers on board. The computers can also be a source of problems along with their connections, earthing, cabling and sensors and sometimes do not show up in a Fault code readout and with no fault code these problems are very hard to find. The main problem being that when "Put in for Service" to find the problem, if the problem does not exist at the time, you are just paying for someone to go thru the motions.

In your situation I would record the situations when the limp mode occurs, eg when hot, going up hills, bumpy road etc and try some self diagnosis. I would also put a "Sprinter Going Into Limp Mode Please advise best way to track down the problem" on the website below and ask for help, since I believe some of the Smartest Sprinter people in Oz are on this forum, but they may be on holidays. I would also do a search on Limp Mode on this forum.

sprinter-source.com/forum/forumdisplay.php

I also think that the Sprinter van is the best Van out there, in SA, Ambo's and now APO are using them.

Peter

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

There appears to be a lot of information about this problem on the internet, though I presume you have already searched about limp mode problem.
I think your motor has an EGR valve if so, I would have this valve blocked off so the exhaust gas can no longer pass thru.
I have a diesel Astra which has been intermittently giving trouble ever since I bought it, mainly getting lost as it changed up a gear and a few years back started going into limp mode, because of carbon in the EGR valve, this was fixed by replacing valve, but the intermittent problem continued, just recently I have blocked off the EGR valve and now have no further problems.
Cheers
David

Bruce and Bev · Guru

sounds just like the worldwide problem that VW had last year killing a number of people as a result of dropping into limp mode, including one lady in this country.

David Bevis · Newbie

MB Sprinter Van is the worst vehicle I have ever bought! Had it 5 months and has been towed 10 times in first 8000km (every 800km) and went into limp mode continuously. And this was my fifth harmonic balancer to be replaced. I am on my 2nd Lemon most unreliable van ever! - we are forced to make repayments on a vehicle that sits in the workshop being repaired constantly. The Dealership that sold us the van do not reply to our complaints, cannot give us any help or assistance and lie. The dealer was just as bad as the car, that's another story I want to forget.
When I started to talk about the problems, I found many others that were as bad or worse than mine, I thought paying the extra money would get me a quality vehicle, Not worth the extra money and certainly not the quality that the name live up too. This is unacceptable and a result of the deliberate engineering of products so they only last for the warranty period. This is deliberate exploitation and blatant theft. We are sick of it we bought a new Mercedes Sprinter so we wouldn't have these problems. Lets take this to court. We need as many people to come forward as possible. If you are one of many please message me.

-- Edited by Webmaster on Wednesday 28th of December 2016 08:53:34 AM

David Bevis · Newbie

I understand if the vehicle goes into limp mode due to a particular reason, however this is not the case as I have spoken to over 30 mechanics. Other sprinter owners have also had their Sprinters checked by mechanics with no problems being diagnosed. The reason I have been given for this random change into limp mode is that the parameters are too close together in the ECU. Mercedes have been advised about this by Tom Roberson. This issue should be treated as a manufacturers recall rather than Mercedes dealers charging drivers/owners over and over again for this problem. There mechanics do not fix this and we are repeatedly charged for the same problem. I believe they are doing this on purpose, as it makes a lot of money for their dealers. Reading Tom Robertson story he told Mercedes and they have known for over ten years, and we are still having the same problem, why has nothing been done about it and why can they still sell new vehicles with this problem? What does it take before something is done by Mercedes to rectify this problem. Just like me, your employees are driving these dangerous vehicles every day!

macka17 · Guru

THe best idea would be to all the disgruntled owners. Worldwide.
Maybe through that forum and word of mouth.

To Combine and put out a international advert in ALL veh magazines
about this ongoing fault with Merc and VW,

Millions reading and possibly NOT buying new veh's Because of.

WILL instigate them into doing something if it hurts the investors back pockets believe me.

Plus maybe inform head office a worldwide "class action" court case on the subject
is being organised over multiple country's.

Volume.. that is the key.

Enough. Will kick them into gear.

Otherwise just keep paying the piper and whinging.

Get together.....

BazzMann48 · Veteran Member

Mine did the same on the west coast, got back to Geraldton (400+km), had it checked, serviced and drove all the way home to Qld with no further problems. Then, coming up a steep hill, it shut down but we still had enough power to get us to the top of the hill. Next, all the dash lights came on. we limped home (again up-hill). Took it to a non Merc service guy, he took it to a garage that specialised in Diesels, had the EGR valve replaced, all filters changed (plus oil etc). Got it back, took it for a few runs nearby to check out the work. Everything seemed ok until we had a downhill run, pulled up for a couple of hours and confidently got in and just as the first steep hill came up, it shut down, again with just enough power to get us over this hill. Stopped at the top, checked things, couldn't fine anything, so continued until the next hill when the problem recurred! Headed to Nambour, found a Diesel mechanic who was busy with Japanese vehicles, so he pointed us in the nearest Merc. dealer. Fortunately, next morning they did diagnostic checks which revealed a few unrelated faults.
I have all the diagnostic printouts. The workshop foreman took our Sprinter for a drive and couldn't get it to play up. He suggested turning it off and then restarting if the problem occurred again. I think it went into limp mode once on our way home. It's been parked for a few weeks now with an occasional short trip around our city.
I talked with another ex-owner, he had an early Sprinter 313 that he used to switch off and start on the fly. His was a delivery vehicle and all he did was like I just wrote, switch off, and restart on the fly - his used to break down on level going as well as hills. He survived and is around mid 80's in age.
Friends had a Subaru 4x4 that did the same sort of thing - I believe Subaru exchanged their Diesel for a petrol model.
Others have suggested replacing all the vacuum hoses - done that!
I'm not sure how closing off the EGR valve would help? Being a twin turbo, maybe the bearings are not up to scratch or sensors are faulty. Tests of mine have not resulted in any joy.
We enjoy the power when there is power. But - when it shuts down without warning, boy, the first thing I look at is the rearview mirror and immediately hit the hazard lights and hope for the best.
I can handle tyre problems and other small problems but with some 220,000km on the speedo, looks like we bought a lemon about 40,000km ago.
There is a forum somewhere where there was a fair bit of info but I cannot remember the actual sight so you may have to google "Sprinter Forum".
Mine is a 515, 2009 ex renter.
Good luck, I feel better that others are having similar problems and I do sympathise with you.
I forgot - Merc Diesel cars (yes cars), have a similar problem! Apparently they use thicker vacuum tubing. Makes me wonder.
Cheers..

Roundthebend · Veteran Member

Well, thank you people, I knew I joined up with grey nomads for a reason, will tick the mercedes sprinter off my list of campervans to buy .....................plenty of others out on the market without buying into problems wink

macka17 · Guru

One thing about the Japanese.

They "mostly" have their electronics sorted.
and 99% have dead reliable mechanicals.

Just watch out for the rusting in several.

My two favourite cars are now off the list too.
Merc Diesel 200\230.
and the beautiful Audi 8 ser

Hello Isuzu. Or Patrol.

in transit · Senior Member

I don't get any pleasure from what I have read. We have a Ford Transit with a limp mode problem that also defies accurate diagnosis.
Like many others we have trolled thru the forums here and o/seas with no joy. We have been stopped by people at campgrounds and shopping centres to ask whether, like them, we have a limp mode problem. Some offer solutions that work for them: new EGR valve, replace throttle mechanism, air leaks at the turbo etc. Our usual mechanic and a diesel specialist have pretty much given up. "You could spend $5000 but you might still have the problem"

I am one of those who has found that an instant power down and restart (about 2 seconds) fixes the problem; not a recommended solution but better than stopping on a narrow steep incline.

We have just returned from a trip around Oz of about 25000Km which we reluctantly started with this problem already existing. Some days were good, others pretty ordinary, but we had time to narrow the conditions that would cause the problem.
It only occurs at cruising speed when you apply a bit more pedal to go up a hill.
It only happens above about 2450RPM
It only happens after about an hour of driving when everything is warmed up, not just the water temp.
It often happens after a short stop (fueling, coffee break etc)
Flat country causes few problems.
It usually only happens in 6th gear.

Incidentally this problem only raised its ugly head at about 260000Km. Ironically we had thought of selling it and getting a Sprinter. I think we have just saved some money.

We have spoken to a couple in a rented VW Crafter with 190000KM that had the problem but not as frequently, and also a man in a fairly new Pajero that might have had the problem just starting in a pretty new vehicle.

macka17 · Guru

BJC.

Don't have it now.
But a few yrs ago I had same symptoms as you with my '02 GU Patrol for a while.

After I fitted my chip.
Could cruise all day with w\out van at 2100. in 5th.

Accelerate. Zilch. Had to release throttle and reapply. Sometimes twice.
sometimes had to slow down a tad too.

My cure was. blank EGR. and add tuned exh.
Along with the chip. it was a great tug for following 12\13 yrs.
And with the chip\exhaust. A completely different vehicle.
Better economy. torque came in at around 13\1400 not above 17\1800 rev's.

Could tow up 3\4's of most "average" hills b4 dropping out of fifth.(6.5mtr van on back)
and as long as you could hold 2000 it bowled up anything.
drop below that and it was wait your turn.

The "Eagle" out of Adel.
b4 chip. Crawwwwwl srecially after the curve.
With mod's.
Bowled up there at 70 to 80. 60ish round curve then accerate again.

With myself and a lot of others I met on the rounds with those mod's..

Those two, with\out snorkel. made it more capable than 2 valve 100 ser, and all 80 ser.
I averaged 6.5ish KMPLwith tug, most of the time. and 9.5ish by itself, cruising.
Both at mainly road speeds.

I'd try blanking the EGR first.
$25 for a stainless plate and 20\30 mins work on most.
Depending on veh.

Hope you fix. It's bloody frustrating after a while.

BazzMann48 · Veteran Member

Check out this site - www.dieselturbocleaner.co.uk/what-is-limp-mode

I Googled "What is Limp Mode". Quite interesting information. Does not solve the problem but gives a bit of comfort knowing others have been there and either put up with the problem of push it over a cliff!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_exhaust - is another interesting site.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exhaust_gas_recirculation - another site..

Good old Google. Plenty of reading.....

I'm interested in finding out more about bypassing the EGR or at least blocking it off. Might have an EGR for sale to help recover some of the costs to date!

S. W. M. B. Obeyed, probably agrees (probably need to free camp nightly for a few months to recover some of the $'s spent to date (at home in the back yard!).

Happier New Year, stay on the left side of the white-lines and don't speed!

Cheers..

Anyone got a good Kombi for sale/swap? - I had more fun in my '75 1800 than the Sprinter - the Kombi couldn't sprint! But, we got there, coat hanger and all! Another story...

-- Edited by BazzMann48 on Friday 30th of December 2016 09:28:38 PM

macka17 · Guru

Any earlier models. Pre computers. will be fine.
just buy one and rebuild mechanicals.

Then you can hear\feel the Ford, Chevvy V8's. or long 6 diesels plodding along.
efficient.economical (to a point)
and slowly get there EVERY time.

Anybody interested in 28\9 seat conversions.
Local bus bloke retiring.
Merc, Mitzi, and Coaster for sale.
ALL older models with pre computer systems in them.

80 ser Toyota donk. Merc and Mitzi 4 potters.
The Merc has a fibreglass body too.
NO rust.

Just a bit of info.

David Bevis · Newbie

Mercedes Sprinter Problems There is always something going wrong, To add to this poor excuse of a vehicle the following as well! Now the Inlet Manifold leaks, MB Dealer Quoted $985 Plus Plus Plus Due to being continually let down with the service from MB dearler, I decided to have an individual mechanic to look at my van. I drove my van to Coolum motors as I had heard they were good with Mercedes vans. I had the mechanic look at my van because I could not understand why the faults with my vehicle were so difficult to find and MB dearler needed more than 13hrs to find this fault. This mechanic could almost instantly identify the problems and also explained to me what the problems were with my vehicle and what parts were required. Then he did a reading on the computer, which immediately gave him an error code of P226300 which was the fault that MB mechanics could not find?? The fault code, oil splatter and the air coming out of the hole in the inlet manifold surely were enough clues for the MB dearler mechanics??? Not so, He also inspected underneath the vehicle and said that it was a disgrace the way MB dearler mechanic had left my van. After having an independent mechanic repair the inlet manifold, which MB were unable to diagnose, even after having my van for 13hrs. I was charged at Coolum motor $484.00 and not the $928.00 Plus with the requirement of further investigation and more money. MB dearler mechanics could not find this problem over the last 18 months!!! which I had reported numerous times!!!, I do know that thousands of Sprinter owners have had to pay ridiculous sums of money to supposedly fix these ongoing problems only to repeat the process on multiple occasions, making the repairs even more expensive than the actual fix should have cost. This is a another common problem be aware.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Not read all above .. Sheesh !! What I have found with diesels with EGR etc . Is water inlection keeps inside engine very clean . It basically steam cleans carbon off chambers etc ., On my GM . It starts and runs much crisper . The pump comes on at pre determined boost level . So mainly on hills or passing where wot ( wide open throttle) so there's no chance of water puddling, causing engine to hydro . High pressure with very small jets . At times with 20% ethanol in hot weather .. Cools intake charge also . 250 to 300 lb lucky to use 1 litre in 1000ks . Use windscreen washer bottle as resivour..