Limp mode - no power :(

**Big Knox** · 17th June 2009, 08:57

well my precious Vectra went into limp mode while I was driving my wife to work and all power is gone, I can barely go up hills in it. Plus the engine seems to judder a bit even when idling. Going to read the codes but well ****ed off

had to turn round and limp all the way home. Engine sounds a bit noiser too. The EML is on and goes on and off but it doesn't come out of limp mode and the EML pretty much comes straight back on when it goes out.

I'm not having as bad a day as another Vectra driver, while limping home I was sitting at traffic lights at J3 of M8 and another Black Vectra rear ended a flatbed truck. doh!

Off to try and read the codes now......

1.9 CDTi 150 btw. at least my swirl flaps appear to still be attached.

**spennny** · 17th June 2009, 09:29

Have you checked all the vacum pipes mate, would be my first port of call,

**Big Knox** · 17th June 2009, 09:53

Managed to get the code off it at last:

P0203 - Injector 3 Control Circuit
There appears to be a subcode of -04

This rings a bell, i'm sure I've seen something mentioned about this before.

Could this be what I need?

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73584

**Dan_BlackSRi** · 17th June 2009, 10:04

Certainly a good place to start mate... can make the car run awful when faulty - trust me !!

**Big Knox** · 17th June 2009, 10:10

yeah it does, I can't really get it above 45mph atm and it almost slows down when going up a hill. pretty much undriveable.

I do have a Tesco warranty so I'm not sure whether to just stick it in the dealers and let it get handled under warranty or whether to just plash out £12 and do it myself save the dealer having it for several days.

**Dan_BlackSRi** · 17th June 2009, 10:11

You could just spray some contact cleaning in injector plug number 3, and see if its any better, might only be temporary but should point to the problem.

**Big Knox** · 17th June 2009, 10:14

am I ok to drive it in it's current state? ie to Halfords/B&Q or stealer if needed?

**Dan_BlackSRi** · 17th June 2009, 10:16

Originally Posted by knoxvillain

am I ok to drive it in it's current state? ie to Halfords/B&Q or stealer if needed?

When mine went the car was only used for short journeys and it was fine, so you should be ok for short runs.

**big peachy** · 17th June 2009, 10:21

Originally Posted by knoxvillain

1.9 CDTi 150 btw. at least my swirl flaps appear to still be attached.

intresting my 19cdti goes into limp mode if she goes over 3000 revs.If i turn it off and restart if goes ok.Noticed last night my swirl flaps appear lying disengadged at the side of the block feeling rather sorry for them selfs.Is therea fix for this?

**Dan_BlackSRi** · 17th June 2009, 10:24

Originally Posted by big peachy

intresting my 19cdti goes into limp mode if she goes over 3000 revs.If i turn it off and restart if goes ok.Noticed last night my swirl flaps appear lying disengadged at the side of the block feeling rather sorry for them selfs.Is therea fix for this?

Err, you won't like the answer to that question