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Car in "limp" mode
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:00 am
by nazGPX
Before ignition

After ignition
The gear stuck in 3rd. i had searched the forum..some people got different problem when they are in limp mode e.g seal pump,ecu, n etc. while mine there is an oil leak..i'm suspecting its the atf. anything that i should check before going to the mechanics??
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 7:07 am
by Bennoz
Yep, check the error codes
http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... ic&t=14667
When in diagnositc mode, the 'N' light will flash a series of morse code. Just look up what that code is in the list in the link above. Will probably be an input or output speed sensor on the transmission.
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 7:36 pm
by nazGPX
hey Bennoz, i didn't quite understand how to do the manual diagnosis thingy..can i just split grey/red wires and get another extra wire then join them up and then ground the extra wire?
btw i just fixed the atf leak today. seems like there's worn out hose just a short length of hose near the bottom of the radiator and changed the atf oil but still i'm stuck at 3rd gear..
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 7:55 pm
by mr-charisma
nazGPX wrote:hey Bennoz, i didn't quite understand how to do the manual diagnosis thingy..can i just split grey/red wires and get another extra wire then join them up and then ground the extra wire?
btw i just fixed the atf leak today. seems like there's worn out hose just a short length of hose near the bottom of the radiator and changed the atf oil but still i'm stuck at 3rd gear..
Just take a length of wire - can be speaker wire or whatever (I used a piece from a broken PC power supply)
strip both ends & attach one end to any bare metal part of the car .. theres a few spots under the dash to connect to..
Then take the other end & push it into PIN1 of the connector shown in the pic below (You might need to fold the wires back over themselves a couple of times to get it to the right thickness that it won't fall out);

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 2:19 am
by nazGPX
okay got the time today to diagnose the problem..follow exactly the method of doing it but after i turn on the ignition the N does not flash and suddenly saw the 3rd was not on..start the engine and it was running fine..any chance that it would come back in limp mode?..any ideas of the problem??
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:57 am
by vipfto
A fuse can cause it to go into limp mode too, 10amp one inder dash
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 6:27 pm
by nazGPX
i have the check the fuse was fine..put it into ignition again it was stuck in 3rd again..and after i turn off the ignition there is "tick" sound in the floor console where the cd player are..need help here..
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 6:54 pm
by Bennoz
If you can't figure out how to check the error codes, then I suggest you take it to a mechanic.
Let us know what the diagnosis is, then we can take it from there.
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:41 am
by Nacho
So the car starts in limp mode? Or it starts fine and then goes into limp mode eventually?
I've found and fixed 3 causes when I'm had limp modes so far:
1) Speed sensor dead (Starts fine everytime then eventually enters limp mode while driving accompanied by a huge thud)
2) Blown indicator lamp fuse (10 amps in cabin fuse box)
3) Less alcohol (self explanatory)
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 1:03 am
by Storm
It will go into limp mode if it has recorded certain faults a number of times. If you disconnect the battery for 10 seconds it will clear the faults and may just allow you to run the car for another while before it happens again. However use the time to either learn how to get the codes or to get to a mechanic.
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:06 am
by nazGPX
that's the first thing i did which is disconnecting the battery..but after reseting the car it's still in limp mode which is before and after ignition and while driving which u can look at the pic..the mechanic here is a rip-off they charge 100 bucks just for diagnosing the problem..
i didnt check all the fuse though, i only check the A/T ecu fuse but found it was fine and there is no huge thud either while driving in limp mode..