I have a 2013 Fiat 500L 1.3 Diesel Multijet. A few months ago the car started to behave erratically, and would routinely go into limp mode. I had the timing chain changed, and eventually a replacement engine (the same engine, but from a Doblo), since my mechanic said that only 3 of the cylinders were working on the old engine.
Problems still recurred, with the engine going in to limp more randomly. The DPF filter was removed and properly cleaned with a high pressure hose, but still the limp problem persisted. My mechanic experimented with bypassing the egr valve, but still no luck.
The ‘check engine light warning’, and ‘oil pressure warning’ icons both showed continuously, so I topped up with oil. I apparently put far too much oil in - my mechanic sucked out the excess oil 4 days ago. The engine now goes into limp mode whenever I stop, or if it goes below 1000 rpm. If I then quickly switch the ignition off and on, it behaves as normal.
Has anyone experienced a similar set of symptoms ? Or have any idea what might be going on here ?
Limp mode occurs after the computer detects a system fault. You need to inspect the engine computer for faults detected and focus diagnostics on the specific faults recorded.
As already mentioned above, the check engine light is trying to tell you what the problem is, or at least what direction to go in for a diagnostic, 1st thing you need to do is find out what the codes are, the codes will tell why the check engine light is on, and then you can start with a diag…
This has been a long saga (over 7 months), and two mechanics have worked on the car, both using the diagnostic computer. They fixed each fault as it occurred, and the most recent diagnostic was low viscosity, which the mechanic said was caused by me putting too much oil in, therefore the oil pump wasn’t able to circulate it properly. Car’s working fine, except for the error lights, and the fact I have to quickly switch ignition off and on every time it goes below 1000 rpm.
We have been using the diagnostic computer throughout, but it’s showing no faults now, other than low viscosity, caused by me putting in too much oil. Doesn’t explain the error lights or car going into limp mode every time it goes below 1000 rpm . . .
Did you put in the wrong oil?? Since you don’t know how to check the oil level correctly, how do you know you added the correct oil viscosity??
Have you tried to change the oil, if you put the wrong oil in then your mechanic sucked it out, then you probably need to change the oil and filter again with the correct oil and amount…
What is the low viscosity code(s) you are getting now??
Good questions, thanks. The oil was the correct one, because the mechanic had given it to me. My mistake was adding extra oil when the oil warning light came on - I would normally check the level with the dipstick, but it was late at night, and I stopped mid-journey to pull over when I saw the warning light come on, and top up the oil.
A few days ago, the mechanic drained out enough oil, and made sure the level was right. But even after doing that, the computer error message still read that there was low viscosity. Which probably points to the viscosity sensor needing to be changed. I think we’ll try that next . . .
Something (like a sensor) may have been damaged by overfilling the engine oil. It’s possible it might resolve itself over time as the oil passages drain properly, now the oil is back to the correct level. Whenever there are diagnostic codes stored in the computer memory, take the car to the shop and ask them to find out why. Then ask them to fix the problem. Unless you decide to take up diagnosis, repair, and maintenance as a diy’er hobby, that’s about the best you can do. Note that it may take multiple trips to the shop to resolve a given problem. That’s just the way it is, esp with today’s complex car designs.
That sounds very likely. Going to the local FIAT agent for them to have a look. Problem is I never trust these main agents, as they usually rip you off.