Chronic Limp Mode

Sky_Pilot · 08-10-2011, 09:10 AM

Not sure how it happened, but since yesterday on my way home, everytime the turbo kicks in, it goes into limp mode. It's drivable so long as I keep it from hitting the turbo. Any thoughts on what might have caused this and how to fix it?

TomatoSoup · 08-10-2011, 09:38 AM

Sounds like an intake air leak. Check under the hood to see if an intake air tube has popped off or similar (the big a$$ 3" rubber tubes). Look at the driver side first, especially where the rubber tube attaches up to the throttle body directly on the left side of the engine.

Sky_Pilot · 08-10-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomatoSoup

Sounds like an intake air leak. Check under the hood to see if an intake air tube has popped off or similar (the big a$$ 3" rubber tubes). Look at the driver side first, especially where the rubber tube attaches up to the throttle body directly on the left side of the engine.

Ok, checked that baby out and the rest while I was at it, all were tight

Sky_Pilot · 08-10-2011, 03:21 PM

Well, right or wrong and I can't explain why it worked, but I disconnected the connectors from the ECM, gave it a few moments to think about how it treated me

, then then reconnected them, put the key in turned it to start, gave it a few seconds and then I started the beast, let it re-learn a bit and then drove it a bit to warm up the engine to "norm". Once warm, I kicked it in the butt from a stop light and vaaa rooooom, the turbo engaged, came to life, and I had all my ponies back again.. I swear I could hear Boris yelling "It's alive, it's alive"...

Sure hope this did the trick.

**lllfly** · 08-10-2011, 05:25 PM

One for the books and I will put it in there.
LLLFLY

STVZ CARZ · 08-10-2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Pilot

Not sure how it happened, but since yesterday on my way home, everytime the turbo kicks in, it goes into limp mode. It's drivable so long as I keep it from hitting the turbo. Any thoughts on what might have caused this and how to fix it?

Do you have the GMPP turbo upgrade?
There has been a problem with the crimped connectors used during install.
These connections should be soldered!!

My Sol Coupe had an issue with the turbo dropping to only 5psi.
After soldering the connections for the upgrade sensors, all has been fine so far.
Boosting to 20-21 fairly easily! Good Luck!
Hope it holds.
________________________
'09 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe - (man.) Mysterious / Black - (NIICE) Vin: 000116
'09 Saturn Sky Redline - (auto.) Ltd. Ed. Hydro Blue - (COOOL) 1 of 49

mbeardsley · 08-10-2011, 07:48 PM

Don't be surprised if the problem comes back after a few more key cycles.

It is likely that the ECM is detecting a problem and going in/out of limp mode in an effort to protect the engine and/or isolate the cause.

Resetting the ECM simply restarts the procedure from the beginning again. It is unlikely that you have "fixed" anything, you've just made the ECM forget about it until it detects the issue again.

Sky_Pilot · 08-10-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STVZ CARZ

Do you have the GMPP turbo upgrade?
There has been a problem with the crimped connectors used during install.
These connections should be soldered!!

My Sol Coupe had an issue with the turbo dropping to only 5psi.
After soldering the connections for the upgrade sensors, all has been fine so far.
Boosting to 20-21 fairly easily! Good Luck!
Hope it holds.

I have the GM Roadster Tune. If it recurs, I'll deprogram it and take it in.

TomatoSoup · 08-10-2011, 11:28 PM

Still think you have a boost leak. Even though the intake tubes look good, they could still be letting go under pressure. Also, might be a burst intercooler (a number of folks have had that issue) - although I would expect you to see your problems reoccur immediately in that case. I guess we'll see if it returns. Wish you good luck.

STVZ CARZ · 08-11-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Pilot

I have the GM Roadster Tune. If it recurs, I'll deprogram it and take it in.

If you have the upgrade tune to 290hp, then you have the Bosch sensors.
Unwrap the tape on each sensors band of wires and see if there are crimped connectors. If so they need to be soldered. This is a common problem with the tune install.
For some reason the crimped connectors are not providing a consistent enough signal. I thought mine were soldered when I first looked, but at closer inspection they were the crimped and now after soldering them I haven't seen the problem again. It's worth a try.
My limp mode only happen a couple times, but I also pulled an error code to alert me.
Good luck in solving your issue. These are too much fun to have problems!
________________________
'09 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe - (man.) Mysterious / Black - (NIICE) Vin: 000116
'09 Saturn Sky Redline - (auto.) Ltd. Ed. Hydro Blue - (COOOL) 1 of 49

mbeardsley · 08-11-2011, 10:51 PM

No, the GM roadster tune is NOT the same thing as the GMPP upgrade.

The GM Roadster tune is an "aftermarket" tune, and does not change the sensors at all.

Sky_Pilot · 08-18-2011, 09:31 PM

So it's been a tweak over a week and no recurrence. I did pull a P2178 a few days ago so I checked all the IC clamps and had to tighten 3 of them; one was looser than I imagined. I’ll have to keep an eye on those in the future. I reset the ECM afterwards. If the code pops up again I’ll take her in and have the dealer check it out..

ritroman · 08-19-2011, 11:58 AM

Had that problem you are having. Had to replace the clamp on the throttle body with a real turbo clamp. The factory clamp tends to come loose over time and will cause the engine to go into limp mode.

TomatoSoup · 08-19-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Pilot

So it's been a tweak over a week and no recurrence. I did pull a P2178 a few days ago so I checked all the IC clamps and had to tighten 3 of them; one was looser than I imagined. I’ll have to keep an eye on those in the future. I reset the ECM afterwards. If the code pops up again I’ll take her in and have the dealer check it out..

If you've found your factory worm-screw clamp is loose, chances are the teeth slots are bent and it will slip again. Need to replace it/them with a T-bolt clamp(s).

Sky_Pilot · 08-22-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomatoSoup

If you've found your factory worm-screw clamp is loose, chances are the teeth slots are bent and it will slip again. Need to replace it/them with a T-bolt clamp(s).

Thanks “TS”, I’ll pick a few up of appropriate sizes. I also looked at the clamp on the hose feeding the TB as retroman suggested, it too was loose. I tried to tighten it with no luck. I then tried to remove it to temporarily replace it with another screw type until I could pick up some t-bolt clamps. No matter what I did I could not remove the old clamp; I could move it, but that puppy would not come out.