Unexplained Limp Mode
 

Hello everyone,

Just a few bits of general information about my Z first.
2009 Base 7 AT
208k miles
Just had valve covers, gaskets, spark plugs, oil change and transmission flush performed at local dealer.

Car has driven great for my 10 years of ownership, with a few blips here and there, but nothing even remotely serious.

At any rate, I started it up this morning, thought the exhaust note sounded very odd at cranking it, and upon attempting to accelerate the car took seemingly forever to climb up in RPMs, even with the pedal to the floor. I’ve never experienced this. No SES light or anything just unexplained limp mode. I had it towed to Nissan where they were finally able to create it, I guess it took them half the day to have it happen. They suspect the ECU, but some tertiary reading points to cleaning TBs, MAFs, or the brake pedal thing which I cannot remember for the life of me what it’s called.

Anyone else have further input or direction? Nissan said they’d contact me in the morning with their complete diagnosis.

Other than reading the DTC codes, we're just guessing at this point.

Nissan drove my car around all day hooked up to Consult until they duplicated the issue. Seems to be a solenoid issue.

This has been happening to me all week. I just restart my car several times until i can feel the correct throttle response while parked.

Hey guys, make sure the Z is completely warmed up before driving.
I experienced this the other night. It was the first time I started and waited only 2 minutes instead of 4 or 5minutes. It was in limp mode. I pulled over turned off and turned back on, all was good. If the car isn't at a certain temp the ecu wont give you all the beans I've noticed.

That's not it. As soon as it comes out of warm up mode, I drive off. No issues.

:iagree:Me too.No problems.

This happened to me a few times on my 2009, it was very intermiten so I never did anything about it. stopping, letting the car "rest" - cool off, and restarting seemed to reset it.

Had a 1990 Hardbody V6 5 speed that would do strange things at times. Shut the engine off and restart. It would be fine for months after. never did figure it out.

Trouble codes and the OBD system are ONLY for emission related items. If something fails that only impact engine performance, but not emissions, a code will not be set.

Technically our cars don't have a "limp mode" BUT do have a "fail safe mode"
In the FSM under fail-safe will show what item is suspect depending on the engine RPM limit.

For example, if the engine won't rev above 3,500 RPM there is an issue with the VVEL system.
Was there a specific RPM the engine was limited to?

I had a similar issue and it was a problem with the throttle bodies. Replaced both with New Nissan parts and I haven't had a problem since.

Slight update to my issue:

Both intake valve solenoids were replaced and this resolved my issue. Several weeks later my car lost all power on I75, and I had to roll off the interstate, and restart my car several times until it finally operated right. I drove it to my local Nissan the next morning where it again shut off on me on the way to town.

Nissan ultimately determined it was my VVEL ECM and replaced it for free. I haven’t had anymore issues.