Unexplained Limp Mode

Dallas-Z · 10-24-2009, 02:17 PM

Well this news is decent good news that others have seen the same problem and even mention the exact rpm (3500) that I saw. I just want to see if the there is a common cause for it that might need a recall or at least documented so it can be fixed later under warranty.

ChrisSlicks · 10-24-2009, 03:09 PM

Stage 2 limp mode, otherwise known as drive it to the dealer mode. In this mode the engine power is cut by disengaging the variable valve timing, limiting fuel and air intake and limiting RPM to a low number - 3500 in our case.

Typical reasons are:
- Engine overheat past 300 degrees (not applicable here)
- Bad readings from crankshaft position sensor

It sounds like a software glitch given that there is no code thrown. Who knows, the programmer could have left some test code in there that was supposed to be removed but never was. If it never comes back I wouldn't worry about it. If it repeats try to drive to the nearest dealer without shutting off the engine.

george · 10-25-2009, 03:29 AM

hey dallas! just like what the other had commented i guess you need to inquire on the dealers itself ...a glitch or a manufacturing defect may cause this..not really sure coz i havent experience it in mine

clchisholm · 06-14-2011, 10:17 AM

I am in Chattanooga TN and just went for a coffee run in my 40th. Hit the onramp at 75MPH and my baby handled wonderfully. Tight and straight through the clover leaf.....once I exited the turn to hit the striaght line onto the highway, I had no power. I could only do roughly 40mph and had to pull over, turn her off and back on. Once back on, no issues at all. Does this "limp mode" have to do with some sort of G force during the turn or maybe a loss in oil pressure due to the turn?

Thanks for any assistance.

FromG2Z · 06-14-2011, 10:29 AM

^ Wow this is scary. I thought this only happened to 09's? Now it's happening to 10's too? Luckily, nothing for me yet, though I only have 1300 miles on my 2010. So is the consensus that it's just a sw glitch and not really an issue since you just shut off and restart and problem is gone?

So here's a better question.... WHO has had this happen to them AGAIN, besides the first time?!?!?!?!? Because if someone has had it happen to them twice, then there's something definitely wrong.

hansoac · 06-14-2011, 12:52 PM

Limp mode eh?

Toss a couple of these bad boys in your gas tank..might even give you a few extra ponies

In all seriousness though, maybe you could try disconnecting the battery for 10 mins and see if a reset helps it?

UNKNOWN_370 · 06-14-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hansoac

Limp mode eh?

Toss a couple of these bad boys in your gas tank..might even give you a few extra ponies

In all seriousness though, maybe you could try disconnecting the battery for 10 mins and see if a reset helps it?

Agreed. Nissans are very reliable but they are also very glitchy. There's always these little unexplained problems that come and go that really don't add up to anything in the end. I say do the reset. If it returns push the dealer to check it thoroughly. Even if they don't find anything, cool. Better safe than sorry. At least it will be reported that it was checked for the problem. That way if something goes wrong? You got eem by the balls. Keep all your reciepts.

kidkotic2001 · 06-14-2011, 02:45 PM

I had this exact same issue a couple of months ago it was in Jan, I heading home from work going up a mountain range when all of a sudden I noticed that my car lost power and would not go past the 3500RPMs, the only different from mine and the post is that I pulled over and turned off the car it was not hot all temps where good. But when I turned it back on the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealer and they replaced a censor which was faulty.

Crazy4Z · 06-14-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas-Z

I've done some searching and I can't find anything that might explain why my car went into limp mode the other night.

I had finished a long flight back for work and got to the car around midnight in Texas. Them temperature outside was around 55F when I started the car. I drove about 18 miles in 6th gear at an average of 2650rpm (65mph). I turn off the highway and begin my back roads trip to the house when I'm startled to have no power.

At first I thought it was VDC pulling power but I wasn't even getting on the car, so I tried to accelerate normally and BAM, no power. Looked at the tach and it would hit 3500rpm and not give me anymore. Shifted to 2nd, 3rd, 4th and tested the gears, couldn't get past 3500rpm. Turned off VDC to make sure that wasn't faulting the ECU, still could not get past 3500rpm.

I had read that high oil temps cause limp mode, but I glanced at that temp and it was reading 180. Remember, it was a cold night and I was just trying to get home to get in bed. Now, I'm kinda freaking out because I can't even find a reason WHY it would want to go into limp mode. No warning light, no code, nothing, it was frustrating. Also, I assumed (also read around here) that limp mode was capped at 5500rpm and not 3500. So this also raises my concerns as to why it would do this.

If anyone has information on why or how to possibly find a reason for this, it would be awesome. I hope this isn't a trend the car will continue to have causing major work to fix it.

Thanks

this happened to my co workers friend. She sent it back to the dealership and they could not get it fixed. They did not know what happened. So they gave her a choice. a new z or they paid her back in full. She got her money back. It sucks cuz she has had a z since it came out in the 60's.

iceman21_23 · 06-14-2011, 03:04 PM

mine did this once when i first got it. first 100 miles... thought i did something wrong turned car off turned it back on has not happened since 20k+ miles

FromG2Z · 06-14-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidkotic2001

I had this exact same issue a couple of months ago it was in Jan, I heading home from work going up a mountain range when all of a sudden I noticed that my car lost power and would not go past the 3500RPMs, the only different from mine and the post is that I pulled over and turned off the car it was not hot all temps where good. But when I turned it back on the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealer and they replaced a censor which was faulty.

what sensor was it?

spearfish25 · 06-14-2011, 03:38 PM

The story about losing power during an on-ramp turn and then having to restart the car is fuel starvation during a sweeping righthand turn. This is an issue with any model year 370Z.

FromG2Z · 06-14-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

The story about losing power during an on-ramp turn and then having to restart the car is fuel starvation during a sweeping righthand turn. This is an issue with any model year 370Z.

Interesting... so only apparent/evident when tank is 1/4 full or so during said turn?

Econ · 06-14-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

Interesting... so only apparent/evident when tank is 1/4 full or so during said turn?

correct

ChrisSlicks · 06-14-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

Interesting... so only apparent/evident when tank is 1/4 full or so during said turn?

Unless it is on a race track with race tires, in which case it will happen with 3/4 tank or more. On typical street tires 1/4 tank is the typical threshold.

06-14-2011, 10:17 AM	#19 (permalink)
clchisholm Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Age: 54 Posts: 40 Drives: 2010 370Z 40th Anniv Rep Power: 14	I am in Chattanooga TN and just went for a coffee run in my 40th. Hit the onramp at 75MPH and my baby handled wonderfully. Tight and straight through the clover leaf.....once I exited the turn to hit the striaght line onto the highway, I had no power. I could only do roughly 40mph and had to pull over, turn her off and back on. Once back on, no issues at all. Does this "limp mode" have to do with some sort of G force during the turn or maybe a loss in oil pressure due to the turn? Thanks for any assistance. __________________ Wesley Chapel, FL - 40th Anniversary #90/1000 - 528 RWHP @ 8PSI / 458 Torque - PT6266 Single Turbo Kit w/34 Row OC - DW 265 Fuel Pump - TEIN Pro Street Twin Tube Coil Overs - Megan Racing Exhaust - Hawk HPS Pads - AMS Short Throw Shifter - Whiteline Bushings

06-14-2011, 10:29 AM	#20 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 17	^ Wow this is scary. I thought this only happened to 09's? Now it's happening to 10's too? Luckily, nothing for me yet, though I only have 1300 miles on my 2010. So is the consensus that it's just a sw glitch and not really an issue since you just shut off and restart and problem is gone? So here's a better question.... WHO has had this happen to them AGAIN, besides the first time?!?!?!?!? Because if someone has had it happen to them twice, then there's something definitely wrong. __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

06-14-2011, 03:38 PM	#27 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	The story about losing power during an on-ramp turn and then having to restart the car is fuel starvation during a sweeping righthand turn. This is an issue with any model year 370Z. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

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10-24-2009, 02:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
Dallas-Z Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 40 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 15	Well this news is decent good news that others have seen the same problem and even mention the exact rpm (3500) that I saw. I just want to see if the there is a common cause for it that might need a recall or at least documented so it can be fixed later under warranty.

10-24-2009, 03:09 PM	#17 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Stage 2 limp mode, otherwise known as drive it to the dealer mode. In this mode the engine power is cut by disengaging the variable valve timing, limiting fuel and air intake and limiting RPM to a low number - 3500 in our case. Typical reasons are: - Engine overheat past 300 degrees (not applicable here) - Bad readings from crankshaft position sensor It sounds like a software glitch given that there is no code thrown. Who knows, the programmer could have left some test code in there that was supposed to be removed but never was. If it never comes back I wouldn't worry about it. If it repeats try to drive to the nearest dealer without shutting off the engine.

10-25-2009, 03:29 AM	#18 (permalink)
george Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: hongkong Posts: 38 Drives: 04 nissan350zCSm6 Rep Power: 15	hey dallas! just like what the other had commented i guess you need to inquire on the dealers itself ...a glitch or a manufacturing defect may cause this..not really sure coz i havent experience it in mine

06-14-2011, 12:52 PM	#21 (permalink)
hansoac Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toledo Posts: 497 Drives: 09 370z Sport CY Rep Power: 14	Limp mode eh? Toss a couple of these bad boys in your gas tank..might even give you a few extra ponies In all seriousness though, maybe you could try disconnecting the battery for 10 mins and see if a reset helps it?

06-14-2011, 02:45 PM	#23 (permalink)
kidkotic2001 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 541 Drives: Like Crazy Rep Power: 15	I had this exact same issue a couple of months ago it was in Jan, I heading home from work going up a mountain range when all of a sudden I noticed that my car lost power and would not go past the 3500RPMs, the only different from mine and the post is that I pulled over and turned off the car it was not hot all temps where good. But when I turned it back on the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealer and they replaced a censor which was faulty.

06-14-2011, 03:04 PM	#25 (permalink)
iceman21_23 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: league city, tx Posts: 757 Drives: 09' Solid Red 370z Rep Power: 17	mine did this once when i first got it. first 100 miles... thought i did something wrong turned car off turned it back on has not happened since 20k+ miles