Limp mode after oil change?

[markandcath]

We have just picked up a untidy new shape Alhambra for £2800 (almost half the book) and are setting about making it nice again. The body work and trim aren't an issue as that is what I do but the mechanics are being a bit of a pain.

The car hadn't been serviced in 14k so I changed the oil (comma 505.01), filter, glow plugs and air filter. It has also had the water temp sensor changed.

The car sounds so much better and runs smoother but it drops into limp mode when it didn't before.

I can trigger limp mode in 1 of 2 ways:

1) If I go uphill in 4th and realise it really needs 3rd I go to change down and as soon as I come off the power to drop down it twitches and bye bye turbo.

2) If I am accelerating and someone pulls out I back off and change up, it doesn't like this either and it can drop to limp.

Strangely if I drive her hard it is fine, it plays up when I back off. Any ideas would be appreciated...... Is the Alhambra OBD2? I ask because there are some fault code readers on eBay for a good price.

Oh and finally I have got a knock from the suspension when I go over bumps, I am guess it is just the drop links but I don't know the Alhambra suspension so any pointer would help me out.

Thanks all and have a great Xmas/New Year

 

[m0rk]

it's OBDII compliant, so you're right in thinking that a code reader will let you know what's what

probably something like a sticky sensor.

Not sure about suspension, but you're probably on the right lines

 

[roverlander]

Would put money on the knock from the suspension being the drop links. Change them both - they are about £15 per side and take approx 10 mins each side to change.

 

[roverlander]

What kind of mileage is on the clock for that kind of money.
Have you disturbed any of the turbo pipes causing it to go into limp mode.

 

[roverlander]

re the drop links.

There is a nut at each end of the drop link ( it's either 17 or 19 mm cannot remember) undo both nuts and wiggle the knuckle joints out of thier housings. If the nuts are tight you will find that there is an Allen key hole down the middle of the knuckle joint thread, just stop the knuckle joint from turning with an Allen key and remove the nut. Replacement is as they say the reverse of removal.

 

[markandcath]

Cheers for the reply about the drop links, I will change then next week. I did disturb the turbo pipe to change the water temp sensor (I think it was a turbo pipe anyway) so I will double check that. VAG lead on it's way anyway so that will help I'm sure.

It has 102K on it with good history so once I tidy it then I have a bargain. Bodywork is already done and hopefully soon the engine will be purring so that will just leave all the bits of trim.

Thanks again

 

[goble]

1) If I go uphill in 4th and realise it really needs 3rd I go to change down and as soon as I come off the power to drop down it twitches and bye bye turbo.

2) If I am accelerating and someone pulls out I back off and change up, it doesn't like this either and it can drop to limp.



when you plug it in i bet you will get the fault:boost pressure limit exceeded, the fault is down to the turbo itself the internals are carboned up really bad and the wastegate sticks so far this year ive changed at least 6 of them for this problem and if its got the AUY motor in its £880 for the turbo

p.s. if it is that and you decide to change it get the oil feed pipe as well as the dont undo the just fracture

 

[markandcath]

I hope not as I don't want the hassle but i do have a warranty on the vehicle that will pay for a turbo if needed.

Silly question. I have a lead now and the 409.1 software but do you think I can find the socket? No I damn well can't Where do they place the socket on these Alhambras?

 

[roverlander]

take out the ash tray ( oops money holding tray ) in the centre console and connection plug is under it.

 

[markandcath]

Hmm It aint there on this one, I have pulled the top of the center console and the only wires are to the ash tray light. I will take the console out tomorrow and have a good look, the plug is probably tucked away somewhere behind the trim/dash.

Cheers.

 

[fredt]

depending on the year? either under the ashtray on the gear box hump? or on the lower dash section to the right of the steering column?

 

[markandcath]

Ah thanks guys. It was under the steering column about 4 inches from the bonnet release level. I would never have found it in a million years if I wasn't told where to look.

When I get 5 mins later I will plug it in a see what it says. As they say "watch thi space"

 

[markandcath]

Right I just got time to do the test and here is what comes up for the Engine.

VAG-COM Version: Release 409.1-US

Control Module Part Number: 038 906 019 J
Component and/or Version: 1,9l R4 EDC 0000SG 1254
Software Coding: 00002
Work Shop Code: WSC 00020
4 Faults Found:
18080 - Coolant Fan Control 1: Open or Short to Ground
P1672 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent
17664 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs
P1256 - 35-10 - Please Register/Activate - Intermittent
17552 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs
P1144 - 35-10 - Please Register/Activate - Intermittent
17965 - Charge Pressure Control: Positive Deviation
P1557 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent

The 18080 is probably the water temp sensor I changed last week but you know more then me

Thoughts please boys/gals......

 

[markandcath]

OK I found a site that lists the fault codes.

1) 18080 - This hasn't returned after 300 miles today so I am not concerned

2) 17664 - Engine Coolant Temp Sensor. This was faulty and has already been changed

3) 17552 - MAF. Not suprising as I started the engine without it plug in after an air filter change. oooops.

4) 17965 - Charge pressure positive deviation. This is the one that is obviously giving me my problems. From what I have read it is either a faulty MAP sensor (possible as I disturbed it changing the water temp sensor), a fault actuator or the most likely and worst senario is the vanes in the turbo are sticking.

I will have a play next week but any info/pointers you can give me would be appreciated.

Cheers all.

 

[markandcath]

I started driving it hard to give the turbo a workouk and the error 17965 - overboost now appears (limp mode comes in) between 3k and 4k. The thing I don't understand is it does it with my foot on the floor so how can I get an overboost error when the turbo is being asked for max boost?

When you back off to change gear if the vanes stick you would get the error but why in the middle of a full power blast?

Cheers All.......

 

[m0rk]

it's getting too much boost, the ECU will 'request' an amount of boost, but if the turbo delivers much more than this, it'll throw into limp mode.

what's causing the overboost I'm not too sure.....