Bypass Limp Mode

[blondchaser]

Hi. Car is 2003 C3 1.4 petrol and eml came on and car went into limp mode and very nearly caused an accident.

In order to drive it home or to a garage, is there any way to bypass the limp mode.

URGENT-- HELP PLEASE

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

If you are in the RAC/AA/etc they may have a code reader that can be used to delete the fault code and if the fault is no longer present the car may drive normally. If not, then at least in limp mode the car can be driven but not at its usual performance and you will need to allow for this so do not bother trying any overtaking or going in to outside lanes.

 

To find the fault a code reader will be needed.

[blondchaser]

Very strange situation. EML came on with two beeps and car went into limp mode. Eventually found a lay bye and stopped car. Allowed to sit for 10-15mins but still would not rev above 1000rpm.

3hrs later, the tow truck delivered car home, and it has been running fine ever since (short journeys only). EML still on but car revs at over 3000rpm.

Car is for wife so can't have it being unreliable. Need to find a way to get car going again if she phones in with this problem.

Read about problem with drivers side windscreen washer jet leaking water to engine, so have sealed this ok.

Edited August 2, 2015 by blondchaser

[paul.h]

You need a code reader to find out what is wrong and then fix the problem, this one from Gendan is a good price and includes some live data that will be useful https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FXNT200.html Without reading the code you can try replacing lots of parts before finally finding the fault and waste a lot of money.

 

A temperature related fault can include a cam shaft sensor (not the crank shaft one since that would likely stop the engine), a spark plug fault, an ignition coil fault.

[Johndouglas]

the tow truck delivered car home,

Did the mechanic read the fault codes before hoisting the car? Since the car now runs, maybe he did and deleted it. Either way, if the EM light is still on you need to find the code.

 

Incidentally, besides a Welcome to the forum, are you the same Blondchaser who visits the CT forum?

[blondchaser]

Aye John, that's me, but won't be using the C3 towing a tin shed. Been on the Picasso forum for years.

It was not a mechanic who fetched the car home, just a recovery firm.

The local garage found three fault codes which are presently being dealt with, but the car went at over 60mph today again. Whatever caused this limp mode seems to have cleared itself, just leaving the EML on.

From what I can gather, this modern system is not only a pain in the rectum but is highly dangerous. IMHO, there is something far wrong with a system wherebye anyone with some mechanical knowledge can't get a car in a drivable state to reach a garage or home.

I also hear stories that if it's the ECU at fault, repair costs could exceed the value of the car????

Surely there must be a way to bye pass these sensors reasonably quickly and without having to carry a computer around.

And they call this progress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Edited August 3, 2015 by blondchaser

[paul.h]

Limp mode is the means of getting home or to a garage where some preset value is used instead of the sensor. If a sensor has failed then without limp mode the car would probably not run. The overall aim of the sensors is to minimise pollution so if one fails the eml comes on and on some cars a warning message of anti pollution fault may come up.

[blondchaser]

Well it's been checked out by the experts and not good news. Apparently, it will need a new ECU and a throttle body, the cost of which will far exceed the value of the car.

I don't know anything about these code readers, so if it goes into limp mode again, can I connect a code reader to clear the codes and get it going again  (at least for a while)??? 

Will disconnecting the battery for 10 mins get it going again for a while????

Someone posted that code readers can be bought off flea bay for approx. £30----are they any good??

[paul.h]

The code reader in the link above is only £39 and Gendan are a good supplier, I have bought 2 code readers from them.

 

Were the experts a Citroen dealer ? You can use a reader to read and clear the fault code and limp mode will go but if the fault is still there it will come back again. However, if you have your own reader you will have a better idea if the experts are correct but also you can fix the problem yourself. If you do need a throttle body you could get a used one and the ecu if it does have a fault could be repaired by such as bba reman.