Limp mode after 70 to 80 mph

Tiny
TIA HUDSPITH
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 FORD KA
  • 1.2L
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 45,284 MILES
I’m having a bit of trouble with my car however nobody can seem to diagnose the problem. I got the car three months ago and within the first month driving on the motorway I reached about 80 mph and the car engine management light flashed and disappeared. I was a bit worried but slowed down and it was fine until the next month I hit around 80 to 90 mph and the car went into limp mode I pulled over and the car was shaking. I turned off the engine left it for a couple of mins and started driving fine again. I took the car back to the dealer and they said it was showing one of the cylinders but didn’t know what it was, told me to test it again so I did, it happened again I took it back and they took it to a garage, again they couldn’t diagnose the problem said it could be some engine coil but wasn’t sure. I left it a week while I was on holiday and took it to another garage, and they can’t diagnose the problem, they’ve tried driving it at that speed and it hasn’t happened again. Any ideas what this issue is/could’ve been?
Friday, June 21st, 2019 AT 3:32 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,520 POSTS
It didn't say if they run the codes so lets do that first .here is a guide to help you to me it sounds like the throttle body needs replacement. here is a diagram below and a guide to help us fix the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/reduced-power-limp-mode

Removal and Installation

1. Remove the Air Cleaner (ACL) outlet pipe. For additional information, refer to Section 303-12 .

2. Disconnect the electronic throttle control electrical connector.

3. Remove the 4 bolts and the Throttle Body (TB).
- Remove and discard the TB (Throttle Body) gasket.

- To install, tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).

4. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
- Install a new TB (Throttle Body) gasket.

5. If the TB (Throttle Body) was replaced, turn the key ON without cranking the engine for 1 minute to allow the PCM to learn the adaptive table values for the new TB (Throttle Body).

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 2:08 PM
Tiny
TIA HUDSPITH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, because the car problem hasn’t occurred when they’ve tested it, they haven’t been able to find out what it is. I’m picking the car up today so I will raise this up with them!
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 2:31 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,520 POSTS
Sounds good. Let me know what they say.
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 11:48 AM
Tiny
TIA HUDSPITH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Unfortunately, he could not give me an answer. He said he’d drove it around 50 miles and it never went into limp mode and there were no codes shown. Which is really strange for the problem to have just disappeared.
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,520 POSTS
I would run the codes to see what comes up. It could have been bad gas which happens.
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:04 AM
Tiny
TIA HUDSPITH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
When I got the car they sold it to me running on fumes, the tank was practically dry but I haven’t let it get to the red since, could this have been the issue maybe?
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 11:04 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,520 POSTS
Yes it could be lets drive the car if a while to see what happens.
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM

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Related Engine Computer Limp Mode - Reduced Power Content

Reduced Power - Limp Mode
GUIDE
Reduced Power - Limp Mode
The com­puter sys­tem that con­trols your car has a built in safety fea­ture called "Re­duced Power" or "Limp Mode" which is de­signed to get the car where it is...