What does limp mode feel like… is my van in it?

[dss123]

Hey….

I have a flashing glow plug light and engine management light… and I’m getting some conflicting DPF readings from various scans I’ve done.

My question is…. Is my van in limp mode? What should it feel like if it was?

It feels down on power, but not to the point of being un-drivable. More like lack of boost.

It runs smooth and doesn’t seem to be limited on RPM.

I’m guessing actual limp mode would feel drastically slower / low power / limited RPM?

I’m wondering if the lack of power I’m experiencing is due to a fault?? Glow plug, turbo etc?

My scanner (Carly) is not showing anything apart from DPF blockage… but gives me a weird soot level. Minus 125g ??

And the DPF monitor app tells me I’m at 47.91g but it’s not done a regen in quite a while… which is why I’m thinking I must be in limp mode?

Any help much appreciated

 

[Dellmassive]

You will know if it's in limp mode.

No power, won't rev past 1500 odd.

Prob 15mile hours max...

Etc etc

 

[dss123]

You will know if it's in limp mode.

No power, won't rev past 1500 odd.

Prob 15mile hours max...

Etc etc

Cheers mate...

Ok, so I don't think I'm in limp mode.... as the van is still easily drivable. Just very obviously down on power.

So I'm none the wiser as to what is going on??

Carly is telling me I have fault P246300 - Excessive Soot Accumulation but is giving a weird reading of MINUS (-) 125g

OBD Monitor for VAG is saying my soot level is 47.91g (Oil Ash Residue 83.55g)
So it's high, but the engine hasn't regen'd in 291miles or 568 minutes?? And I've done plenty of long motorway journey's so it's had the opportunity.

Differential Pressure 14.5 hPa, so I don't think DPF is actually blocked?

Are there any other "faults" that would stop a regen from initiating I wonder?

Any other reasons explaining the lack of power.... that wouldn't be picked up by a OBD scan?

Dunc

 

[david173]

feels gutless like your going up a steep hill.

 

[dss123]

feels gutless like your going up a steep hill.

Mmmmm that is indeed how it feels.

But I can still roll along at 60-65mph on the flat.... but wouldn't be able to overtake anything.

I do still the flashing glow plug light.... which I always thought meant it was in limp mode.

Dunc

 

[CHRIS 877]

Mmmmm that is indeed how it feels.

But I can still roll along at 60-65mph on the flat.... but wouldn't be able to overtake anything.

I do still the flashing glow plug light.... which I always thought meant it was in limp mode.

Dunc

Did you get to the bottom of your issue . i have the same issue with mine but not sure what it is
Any help greatly appreciated

 

[dss123]

Did you get to the bottom of your issue . i have the same issue with mine but not sure what it is
Any help greatly appreciated

Hey mate.

Strongly suspect a fully blocked DPF so it’s back at the dealer now for investigation and possible DPF clean / replacement.

Still not sure if this is the result of some other, underlying issue…. Or just the DPF reaching the end of its life and no longer able to regen.

Will report back when I get a diagnosis

 

[asutton709]

Hi mate,
Hope this doesn't bring up painful memories, but wondered what did happen.
I had identical symptoms as you, van lacking oomph but still well drivable. I assume you had no indication on the dash about the dpf? Just engine warning lights when it was too late.
Outcome for me was a fully blocked dpf which I had to replace at considerable cost.

 

[Sasquatch]

You will know if it's in limp mode.

No power, won't rev past 1500 odd.

Prob 15mile hours max...

Etc etc

Just this.

"Safe mode" is intended to give the driver enough to get the vehicle off the carriageway to safety, and no more. You'll know if it trips into that!

 

[dss123]

Hi mate,
Hope this doesn't bring up painful memories, but wondered what did happen.
I had identical symptoms as you, van lacking oomph but still well drivable. I assume you had no indication on the dash about the dpf? Just engine warning lights when it was too late.
Outcome for me was a fully blocked dpf which I had to replace at considerable cost.

Hello mate... sorry to hear that.

Yes my van went back to the dealer in the end as I could not get it to regen.

Long story short......

I had a minor (fuel temp sensor) wiring fault, that stopped the DPF regen-ing.

So DPF got REALLY full so would not regen even after the wiring fault was fixed.

Dealer managed to force a regen... and I was back in the game.

Regens regularly now as it should and it's been good as gold since. So I think I dodged a bullet. All work done under warranty.


I now make sure to use good fuel, with a tank of the really good stuff on a regular basis... and always try to keep tank at least 1/4 full.

Plus I give it a good "Italian Tune Up" when the opportunity presents.


Cheers


Dunc

 

[asutton709]

Pleased it worked out for you mate. I know a lot more about the dpf now and follow similar routine to you plus using VAGdpf just to make sure it all completes when it should. . Just a shame I had to learn the hard way

 

[dss123]

Pleased it worked out for you mate. I know a lot more about the dpf now and follow similar routine to you plus using VAGdpf just to make sure it all completes when it should. . Just a shame I had to learn the hard way

Same mate.... comming from an older T5, the whole DPF, Adblue thing is new to me.

I also use a 3rd party App / OBD dongle to keep an eye on my DPF.

Strikes me as odd that this sort of information isn't available through the dash.... at the very least it would be nice to know when a regen is in progress and how long it has to run.... so you could extend your trip if needs be, to make sure it completes!

 

[Sasquatch]

Strikes me as odd that this sort of information isn't available through the dash.... at the very least it would be nice to know when a regen is in progress and how long it has to run.... so you could extend your trip if needs be, to make sure it completes!

It'd be great for enthusiast users like ourselves, but would be apocalyptic for the average "never lift the bonnet between services" driver.

Time and again drivers are told not to buy a diesel if they're doing regular journeys under 7 miles, and still they ignored that advice and then sdream blue murder when they got anti pollution system problems. Imagine people that daft then trying to manage DPF regens? It'd be consumer carnage.