Range Rover in Limp Mode
The Range Rover brand is known for its best-in-class luxury and excellent off-road capability. However, like any other vehicle, they can break down and experience issues. This was the case for our client – after they experienced limp mode for the first time. Luckily they came to us for a quick diagnosis and repair. Thanks to our expert team, we were on hand to fix our customer’s Range Rover, putting it back on the road in no time.
When a Range Rover enters limp mode it means that something serious is wrong. It’s a last resort for vehicles. When you enter limp mode, the vehicle’s top speed is reduced to 30-50mph, power and acceleration are limited, and warning lights will display. This means that you should take it in for repair immediately before the damage gets any worse.
Our customer came to us with their Range Rover in limp mode, experiencing poor performance and an illuminated warning light on the dashboard.
Diagnosing the Range Rover Limp Mode Issue
As the vehicle entered our workshop, our team immediately could tell that something was up. With an illuminated engine management light and sluggish performance, we began digging deeper to find the root cause of the issue.
Using our 15-step diagnostics procedure to identify issues with customer vehicles, we were able to cover all areas quickly and narrow down the problem.
A diagnostics machine uses engine and electrical component data to display any fault codes from the Range Rover’s main computer. After a scan of the fault codes, we soon found out why the vehicle had entered limp mode.
The diagnostics test performed by our technician uncovered the following fault code:
- P006A-00 manifold absolute pressure – mass air flow correlation
Thanks to our technician’s years of experience fixing Range Rover vehicles, they knew exactly what this fault code meant. This fault code pointed to an issue with the mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor is situated on the inlet manifold (or throttle body) of a vehicle and is a delicate component. It is designed to measure the flow of air as it enters the engine and is key to determining the right fuel for the injectors and ensuring normal engine function.
If there is any issue with the airflow sensor, then the vehicle computer has to estimate the amount of fuel to inject into the engine and because of inaccurate calculations, the vehicle will activate limp mode. This is exactly what was happening with our customer’s Range Rover.
This is where our expertise was helpful.After knowing immediately which part of the vehicle to work on, our team checked the live data feed of the mass air flow sensor using specialist equipment.
Our 15-step process did not finish there. Our technician visually examined the throttle flap and checked for any damage. There was no immediate issue with the condition of the throttle body or flap, but our team soon found out what was wrong with the Range Rover…
There was a leak in the induction system.
Upon further analysis, the inlet manifold had an issue which meant that air leaked out.
Inlet manifolds are used to guide air from the atmosphere into the engine, where it is then mixed with fuel and ignited during the combustion process. They are carefully engineered for maximum efficient airflow. If the induction system is leaking in any way then it will result in poor fuel efficiency and lead to potentially expensive repairs.
How We Fixed The Issue
Once our 15-step diagnostics procedure was complete, our technician knew what was needed to fix the faulty induction system.
The Range Rover needed a new right-hand side inlet manifold.
After installing the new manifold, the fault codes could be cleared without reappearing as the system would not be leaking anymore. This will allow the engine and computer systems to work together properly once more for optimum performance.
We contacted the owner immediately after diagnosing the fault and coming up with a repair plan. Before we carried on with any repairs, we ensured that the owner fully understood our analysis and advice for repair and sought their approval.
As soon as the owner gave us the green light, our team addressed the faulty induction system and sourced a replacement part.
South Coast Garage only use genuine Range Rover, or high-quality replacement parts during our repairs. We have a tried and tested network of parts retailers who provide quick deliveries. In the case of the customer’s Range Rover inlet manifold, we were able to source a replacement the same day!
The repair process was performed by the technician and involved:
- Taking off nearby parts to reach the broken inlet manifold.
- Detaching the faulty inlet manifold from the right-hand side of the engine bay.
- Installing the new inlet manifold cautiously.
- Putting back all the parts removed to restore the engine bay’s original appearance.
The technician could clear the fault code once the work was complete by using our diagnostics tools. Once the faults were cleared, the technician test drove the Range Rover.
The test drive was a success, and the work was complete. The technician discovered no issues with the engine, the vehicle did not enter limp mode and there were no warning lights on the dashboard. After performing one final check on the live data of the mass air flow sensor, everything was back to normal.
We always make sure to double-check our repairs and inspect for any other issues which may disrupt our customer’s day, sometime in the future. We help you by identifying issues early before they escalate into expensive repairs later on. This is not what other workshops typically do. South Coast Garage goes above and beyond to ensure our customers are left more than satisfied with our service.
Later that afternoon, the customer came into our reception to collect their keys. Again, this is unlikely to happen when you visit main dealerships or other workshops, as they could have a backlog of warranty repairs, and they may not be as experienced or have a close parts network as we do.
Range Rover’s main dealership could take a lot longer to identify and fix the issue whilst also costing around 40% more.
Range Rover Limp Mode Repairs at South Coast Garage
Drivers never want to experience limp mode. If they do, they should visit South Coast Garage. As was the case with our customer – they were pleased to see that we are Range Rover experts and our team knew what to do to fix their Range Rover, which was in limp mode.
We have a strict 15-step diagnostics process to uncover faults quickly and it was discovered that the mass air flow sensor had produced a fault code. Further investigation proved that the right-side inlet manifold had developed an air leak. This was the root cause of the dreaded limp mode, and our technicians proved it with live data checks.
We reached out to our client immediately with our conclusions and recommended a suitable repair. Only once they were consulted and gave us the green light did we begin working on the repair and we replaced the inlet manifold.
We ensure that each customer is informed about every step of the repair process and outline the predicted costs before work begins.
Thanks to our close parts network, we can source genuine Range Rover parts the same day and our repairs follow manufacturer standards.
Our dedication and experience make us the go-to alternative to the main dealer network. We promise better value and better turnaround time for our repairs. If your Range Rover has entered the dreaded limp mode, or you need maintenance or repairs for your vehicle, reach out to our expert team at South Coast Garage today!
