Low temp outside, capped revs, no power, is this ESP?

[Marky_Mark]

I've just bought a 2003 A3 last week, I've been really impressed with it so far, but this morning was the first morning with a temp below 0c outside (EDIT: it was about -1.5c). I was sat in traffic for long enough so never noticed, but once i hit a free spot on the motorway i put the foot down and it wouldn't go. It seemed to hit a ceiling as far as speed is concerned, not going above 2500 revs, and when i left the motorway and moved onto city streets, it accelerated very slowly.

This is my first car with ESP (or any traction control type system for that matter), is that what would be causing this or do I have something to worry about?

I have a 1 month guarantee with the dealer I bought it from, so I want to make sure nothing is faulty as soon as possible.

Thanks!

 

[bertiebasset]

Sounds like it's in limp mode, are there any warning lights lit up while driving?

 

[Marky_Mark]

Not that I noticed no! I'll nip out at lunch time and just double check though, then post back here.

I'm new to all the lights and sensors lol, had an old banger with nothing but the bare essentials before this, I wasn't aware of 'limp mode', so never even looked for any warning lights this morning.

Thanks Bertie

 

[J8TT X]

Sounds like the car has gone into Limp mode happened to me when my turbo went.
You need to get the car scanned and check the errors it finds.

Maybe at lunch take the car for spin and try flooring it and see if it happens again?

Do a search on Limp mode, theres loads of info on it here.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Will do cheers, it's a bit gutting if it's something like that within a week of buying it, but on the plus side I've caught it while it's within the dealers guarantee period, just hope they'll cover it. I'll do as you said though and floor it at lunch, see how it goes.

 

[SAiLO]

Scan it with VCDS. Most probably turbo overboosting.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Turns out your guesses were correct, I took it out to the motorway there and put the foot down but couldn't get it into limp mode again; I don't have access to VCDS, but I did get it on an ELM32 adapter with Torque which read out the following error - 'P0234 - Powertrain. Turbo/supercharger overboost condition'

Time to make a call to the dealer about that guarantee now.

 

[Marky_Mark]

UPDATE: Dealer reckons its just blocked valves, so it's going back in, guess we'll see, thanks for the info guys, like I said before, never had a car with limp mode before so would never have realised this, thanks!

 

[SAiLO]

It will be sticking vanes on the turbo not blocked valves.
Once you got the car back take it for a drive, get engine up to a temperature and when driving uphill boot it in third to see if the limp mode returns. You basically want to put the engine/turbo under heavy load.
Do it a few times.

 

[Marky_Mark]

and when driving uphill boot it in third to see if the limp mode returns. You basically want to put the engine/turbo under heavy load.

OK will do, I live near the peak district so I should be able to find a few hills to put it through it's paces.

Any idea how long cleaned vanes last before they start sticking again?

 

[SAiLO]

If you drive it like a granny then carbon deposits will build up quicker than when you give it some beans.
It is due to the exhaust gases temperature not being high enough to burn off the carbon.

No info on how long it will take.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Well I don't know how it was driven by the previous owner, its sitting at 130k just now though. I wont be driving it like a granny, so that sounds promising!

Thanks again, much appreciated

 

[NHN]

Uh before you go testing to force overboost condition, I would consider you've already proved the issue & it could blow the turbo, which would cost even more to fix it & the dealer may not look kindly on this.

If I was you I wouldnt do this whatsoever & just ask them to collect the car on a loader or tow & take away/fix, as the mess from a blown turbo can be fairly bad to clear up.

If they say no, then give me a shout as if its a BKD 2.0 tdi then I have one available & depending on location can swap it out.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Ah, the dealer has it now, when I tried to test it the car refused to go back into limp mode and drove normally (or seemed to), I never forced it after that, and took it straight to the dealer after work. They said it should be a few days to get it sorted, as soon as I started describing it he started talking about vanes, so he seemed to have some pre-knowledge of it.

give me a shout as if its a BKD 2.0 tdi then I have one available & depending on location can swap it out.

Not sure what engine it is, its the 2003 2.0 TDI 140bhp, is that BKD? Sorry I have no clue, I just got it last week and don't really know much about the engine. Thanks for the offer though, if it is a BKD then I'll keep you in mind if I have any problems in the near future after the dealer's guarantee expires in a few weeks

P.S. Location = Manchester