Limp mode and message then completely fine?!

[Gabe]

Hi all

I've had my XC90 for just over 24 hours. It is a 2003/53 plate car with 135,000 miles on the clock. 2.4 D5 engine and auto gearbox. Good service history (10 stamps) and is clean in and out so looks well looked after. I have a 1 month warranty so I'm not worried if there is anything wrong but would like to know how easily the car goes into limp mode/displays warnings...

I had had the car for approximately 30 miles when today after driving it round town for a bit and then going to Tesco, I came back, loaded the kids and shopping and began driving home.

The car seemed to go into what I imagine is limp mode? It really struggled to get up to 20mph/30mph and I had to knock it into manual mode to get it to change up. It really wasn't responding. Coupled with this is that I had a message that said 'Engine Service Required' or something similar.

I drove home in this 'mode' over about 3 miles. Turned the car off and unloaded it etc.

I had to go out 15 minutes later, turned the car back on and it was completley fine. No messages,, I couldn't read the previous message it had displayed and it was like it had never happened. And the car has been fine for the 30 mies since.

Is this normal in the D5 or should I be worried? I had done about 30 miles town driving up until this happened and hadn't been above 30mph. I've taken it on a long drive since and have been up to 70mph etc, accelerating etc and it's completely fine.

Not sure I quite trust this car yet... Any ideas?!

[cheshired5]

It isn't normal behaviour for an issue free D5.
A code will have been stored and you need to get it read as the fault could be one of many things, some are cheap fixes, others are far from cheap so especially whilst it's still under warranty, get it checked out sooner rather than later.

[EdmundIJones]

As he said, it's not normal.
The "Engine Service Required" message is a generic message (think of the classic MIL light). It simply means that there is a problem and the car needs to be plugged in for diagnostics to help try and track down the problem.

I get this message under moderate/hard acceleration when cold, it's either the intercooler that has gone on mine or the turbo. I'm getting the intercooler replaced first as it's cheaper on next Wednesday. However, your issue could be something a lot less serious.

AS you have a warranty, get it looked at ASAP and find out what the code was. The chances are that if they are not a Volvo garage they will use a generic code reader which won't give as much information as VIDA/DICE.

Where are you, if you're near me I'm happy to connect you up with VIDA to give you some more insight.

[reggit]

First thing, did you buy the car through a dealer - if so take it back and get them to fix it.

If not, you've just found out why it was being sold.

As mentioned, you really need to get the codes read to see what the problem is.

However, what service history is with it? Is there evidence the fuel filter has been changed? It's under the car just forward of the rear wheel on the drivers side - I think it's a spin on metal canister on that age car, if it looks rusty, get it changed - this is often neglected and causes no end of problems on a D5.

[Gabe]

Thanks for the responses. I've taken the advice and booked it in for tomorrow morning so they can read the codes. Will update this thread. At least it's happened 1 day in and they're keend to get it sorted.

Will I be okay to drive the car today? Will probably have to do 30 miles. Any thoughts? Also why does the message go out if it's still a problem?

[reggit]

I had a similar problem on my V70 (same engine) when fuel pump was failing intermittently (a clogged filter will give similar).

If this is the issue (using as an example) the message appears as the fuel pressure drops, the engine mounted high pressure pump can keep the engine running in 'low power mode' (limp mode). If the car is stopped and restarted and the fuel pressure was seen as normal, the message won't reappear until the operating parameters are abnormal again.

In my case, the car didn't store low fuel pressure codes if the engine was stopped and restarted.

I could also clear the limp mode by turning the ignition off and back on whilst the car was rolling - mine is manual, so it would just restart.

[Deca]

I had a very similar issue with my 03 XC90 D5. Mine felt like it wouldn't go in to the top gear on the motorway and struggled to take off when I was at a standstill. Turned the engine off and on, it was fine afterwards. The same message came up for me too and I had a friend use a code reader.

My code was 0117 - Throttle solenoid SLT Signal Missing. A quick google comes up with the additional TCM-0117 Linear pressure solenoid SLT. Signal missing.

Awaiting the outcome of what that actually means. Unless someone here knows?

[Gabe]

Thanks for the info. Having done some digging online, it seems that fuel filter is first call and then either Intercooler or turbo.

What I don't understand is why the message disappears as if it never happened? If it's a potentially serious issue, surely it should stay displayed? If I hadn't asked on here I would have probably thought it was a freak error where something didn't read quite right due to it being 12 years old. I've done 50 miles since and all completely fine.

[EdmundIJones]

Thanks for the info. Having done some digging online, it seems that fuel filter is first call and then either Intercooler or turbo.


Don't expect the worst just yet, as I said, the message you got is just a warning that something is wrong. these cars are full of sensors that monitor themselves and if anything goes outside of the permitted tolerance it will through this error. It could just need a fuel filter or it could need a new turbo... or anything in between. The the message is saying is, "I've noticed an error, best take me to the Volvo dealer to get the codes read and part with some cash". Don't assume anything without the VIDA codes.

Also, about the message vanishing, they do this. It's like a computer having an error, you have to restart it, it will clear the memory/reset the alert until it comes back. For things like the boost pressure errors they only trigger at 250 error cycles. So depending on how intermittent the error is it can come on little or often.

[EdmundIJones]

My code was 0117 - Throttle solenoid SLT Signal Missing. A quick google comes up with the additional TCM-0117 Linear pressure solenoid SLT. Signal missing.


I'm no expert but I'd say the throttle position sensor would be a good place to start.

[Gabe]

They said they couldn't find any issues with it... Cleared it and it hasn't shown up since...

[Deca]

Mine appeared to go away also. Just drove on the motorway and the light and message appeared. A short while after and felt a massive thud and now the car wouldn't go in to top gear. Restarted the engine, light still on but gears fine...

[EdmundIJones]

They said they couldn't find any issues with it... Cleared it and it hasn't shown up since...

Were they a Volvo garage who had VIDA/DICE?
Generic readers will find very little.

Where are you based, I can try reading your codes if you are near.

[Gabe]

They definitely weren't Volvo specialists... Thanks Edmund. I'm based in Brighton but also spend a lot of time in London however that's not close to Lymington if that's where you are? Did you buy your code reader and if so was it expensive?

[daveyb]

It needs Vida dice to sort it not pop into a dealer near you might give it a quick check you never know

[EdmundIJones]

They definitely weren't Volvo specialists... Thanks Edmund. I'm based in Brighton but also spend a lot of time in London however that's not close to Lymington if that's where you are? Did you buy your code reader and if so was it expensive?

If they were not a Volvo specialist then 99% sure they would not have VIDA, they'd have used a SnapOn generic machine or normal OBD2 scanner. These are not good enough and won't tell you anything.

My VIDA was about £80 online but you need a laptop to install the software on. the software is very picky indeed and I've got a laptop just devoted to car diagnostics and nothing else as a result.

I work in London 3 days a week so if you want to pop down one lunchtime to SW11 3UE I'll be happy to hook you up. I'm just off York Road near the river.

[Gabe]

That would be great Edmund, thanks very much! I am in Wimbledon most days so only 4.5 miles from there. I'll send you a PM and hopefully arrange something. Thanks again! Will update this thread with the outcome.

[Gabe]

The forum says I can't send private messages yet as I'm a new member. Is there any way you can PM me and I can try replying? Thanks.

[EdmundIJones]

PM Sent

[reggit]

The forum says I can't send private messages yet as I'm a new member. Is there any way you can PM me and I can try replying? Thanks.

Post here http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=99800 and ask for your post count to be raised - you need 30 posts for PM's to work.