Randomly going into limp mode (wrench symbol) and no codes

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

S281

New Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Posts
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Dfw
Got a bizarre issue that I can't diagnose. 2013 Expy El Limited5.4L V8 with 130k miles. Flawless til now. Randomly it throws the wrench symbol and goes into limp mode. Truck runs like it's on 4 cylinders when it's in limp mode. It does this randomly driving or even just sitting in park and idling. Turning off the truck and back on, it clears it and runs perfect. Never throws any codes. Every once in a while it will flash service advancetrac right before going to wrench mode. Anyone experience anything like this? Not sure where to begin since it's not throwing codes. Yesterday while waiting in the school pick-up line, it went to wrench mode, started idling really rough, throttle kept reving itself and about dying. It did throw throttle position sensor codes but I think that was only because of the rough idle. Once I cycled the key, it ran perfect and codes disappeared after a few miles of driving. So confused with it.
 

99WhiteC5Coupe

Full Access Members
Joined
Jun 3, 2015
Posts
2,633
Reaction score
1,334
Location
USA
Got a bizarre issue that I can't diagnose. 2013 Expy El Limited5.4L V8 with 130k miles. Flawless til now. Randomly it throws the wrench symbol and goes into limp mode. Truck runs like it's on 4 cylinders when it's in limp mode. It does this randomly driving or even just sitting in park and idling. Turning off the truck and back on, it clears it and runs perfect. Never throws any codes. Every once in a while it will flash service advancetrac right before going to wrench mode. Anyone experience anything like this? Not sure where to begin since it's not throwing codes. Yesterday while waiting in the school pick-up line, it went to wrench mode, started idling really rough, throttle kept reving itself and about dying. It did throw throttle position sensor codes but I think that was only because of the rough idle. Once I cycled the key, it ran perfect and codes disappeared after a few miles of driving. So confused with it.


I'd bet it is a defective throttle body - or the connection to it.
 
OP
OP
S

S281

New Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Posts
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Dfw
That's what I'm thinking too, ordered one, hopefully it takes care of the issue. Damn thing left me stranded today. Had to get it towed home
 
Joined
Jan 27, 2021
Posts
13
Reaction score
4
Location
Southeast
The focus points for me:
1) You are experiencing failure without codes being set "Never throws any codes"
2) The failure occurs during vehicle movement or non movement "at idle" (so that would remove power train as suspect)
3) The condition is reset by turning off the ignition switch and turning it back on (disconnecting switched power)

The tell tell sign is a random, no-code condition which results in Limp Home Mode...
Computers are simple, they are programmed devices which take data (input) and process it (software) into outputs.
In this case the outputs would be
1) Injector sequence and Duration of on/off time
2) Timing of an ignition event (crank, cam input), and in the case of the 5.4 variable cam timing.
3) Firing of the plugs in sequence and at specific times.

Instead of your engine being provided outputs relative to inputs, you are randomly being provided a standard set of fixed outputs and not setting any input failure codes. indicating that your engine management computer is randomly incapable of processing input sensor data into outputs, therefore it reverts to its basic engine functionality.

What this is telling me is that the input signals for the engine management computer are either nill or so far out of spec that the computer cannot accurately process the data. I would therefore suspect (first) the connector terminals at the engine management computer as being faulty (not making adequate continual connection), due to corrosion, the connector being loose, etc. Secondly, I would suspect ignition switch voltage/amperage being provided to the engine management computer (check that circuit as well).

Your failure mode seems to be electrical not mechanical.
 
Last edited:

cmc3

Active Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2021
Posts
41
Reaction score
16
Location
Florida
I'am having the same problem with my 2017 XLT, 97K miles. All shut downs happened in operation, while gentle acceleration around 20 to 40 MPH. On one I plugged a portable code checker in, before shutting down the engine.....no codes. Yesterday, I did a full reset on the PCM using FORSCAN. I'm keeping the laptop with FORSCAN stowed under the seat, waiting for the next event.
 

cmc3

Active Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2021
Posts
41
Reaction score
16
Location
Florida
Got lucky, had FORSCAN in the car when the wrench came up.
PCM P2112:00-A7 Throttle Actuator Control System
OBDII P112-P Throttle actuator control system Stuck closed

This does point towards the throttle body mentioned in a previous post.
 

Rjwecker

Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Posts
9
Reaction score
1
Location
Florida
I have a 2011 EL XLT with the tow package had this happen once while towing our camper and disengaging tow button and the turning it back on
While going up a hill freaked me out but shutting off engine for a few minutes cleared it all up
 
Top