"Limp Mode" on Motorway cruising

[Puffster]

I'm doing a steady speed on the motorway and all of a sudden I seem to lose power and start to slow a bit. Pressing my foot down attenuates that but it won't accelerate. Drop into 5th and its easier to maintain speed. Then after about 20 seconds, all is back to normal for a few miles & then rinse/repeat. Found it best to start "feathering" the accelerator/not try to accelerate and it seemed to clear quicker. Normal driving, A roads etc and its fine - just on long boring motorway sections. If I were to go a bit faster, then it wouldn't happen! But that's naughty.

It was like there was no turbo but no dash lights or anything. Fuel filter? It was strange as intermittent.

Pain as I drove 500 miles yesterday and quite a bit on motorways.

[Cossie7]

What year and model is it?

If euro 4 possibly sticking vanes on the turbo

Any smoke on acceleration? If so maybe small boost leak.

Largest demand for boost is in top gear.

Does it happen while cruising or when accelerating from a stead cruising speed?

[passenger]

Check engine oil level. My D5 put me fee times without dash lamp into limp mod. I checked oil, refill and it was again "on his feet"

[Puffster]

2011 Euro 5 D5 Polestar'd 6sp Manual

It happened whilst cruising around 2800 rpm, possibly off boost, couldn't pin that down.

I've not noticed any smoke but then its been wet/misty recently so might not do.

[100K+]

Originally Posted by Puffster

I'm doing a steady speed on the motorway and all of a sudden I seem to lose power and start to slow a bit. Pressing my foot down attenuates that but it won't accelerate. Drop into 5th and its easier to maintain speed. Then after about 20 seconds, all is back to normal for a few miles & then rinse/repeat. Found it best to start "feathering" the accelerator/not try to accelerate and it seemed to clear quicker. Normal driving, A roads etc and its fine - just on long boring motorway sections. If I were to go a bit faster, then it wouldn't happen! But that's naughty.

It was like there was no turbo but no dash lights or anything. Fuel filter? It was strange as intermittent.

Pain as I drove 500 miles yesterday and quite a bit on motorways.

What you are describing sounds very much like what I experienced here:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=320303 - a "type of limp mode that disappeared after a short while.

Additional info is here :

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=320303 - shows the two components that could cause the issue.
These items are situated side by side at the upper rear RHS of engine and are mounted on a bracket.

I still have the issue ( I suppose) It aint come back for sure, but I have returned to my" driving miss daisy" style and all appears good...

Alternatively, I could get some reading glasses so I could see the blur I was looking at....

Getting car read with DICE would confirm this prognosis.

Cheers
Bob

[Puffster]

Hi Bob, thanks for that

The 2 links are the same?

[100K+]

Two same links is Duffus me...sorry
Should have been different..
Correct 2nd link is from my original thread 30.oct 2021 can't seem to get it sorted..
It contains two images of turbo control parts.. one controlling each turbo...I think .(your car is biturbo 205 or 215 bhp?) If not ignore all my posts .

Away at moment so using phone...badly..if I can get to a computer lwill try again. Driven 200 miles not exceeded 2000 rpm and still no reoccurrence. 2000 rpm = 70mph+ in 6th...

Cheers Bob

[100K+]

this is the correct post

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=321055

Cheers
Bob

[Oak]

I also suffer a very similar issue.

When scanned with VIDA it generally points at the EGR. I'm tempted to have this mapped out to see if it resolves it but I'm not confident this IS the whole issue.

Mine is worse if I drive sensibly/slowly too. Sit at 60mph with the cruise control on and it can happen 60% of the time. Most of the time it doesn't happen at all. Switching the engine off and waiting does resolve it for me.

Will really struggle to get up hills - no pull or acceleration. Often doesn't drop down a gear either. Mashing the pedal down doesn't really help either. No errors or lights ever come up on the dash and it rarely does it two days in a row.

Mine is 128k and I've love to truly get to the bottom of this. Did it on Monday - but not since and now may not for many weeks/months!

[wilbydoughboy]

Originally Posted by Oak

I also suffer a very similar issue.

When scanned with VIDA it generally points at the EGR. I'm tempted to have this mapped out to see if it resolves it but I'm not confident this IS the whole issue.

Mine is worse if I drive sensibly/slowly too. Sit at 60mph with the cruise control on and it can happen 60% of the time. Most of the time it doesn't happen at all. Switching the engine off and waiting does resolve it for me.

Will really struggle to get up hills - no pull or acceleration. Often doesn't drop down a gear either. Mashing the pedal down doesn't really help either. No errors or lights ever come up on the dash and it rarely does it two days in a row.

Mine is 128k and I've love to truly get to the bottom of this. Did it on Monday - but not since and now may not for many weeks/months!

I had a similar problem and it could be of help although my car isn't the same as yours. I replaced an exhaust temperature sensor and all has been fine for a few years. I had no warning lights showing but with help from this forum found the problem and answer.