spray004

Two Saturdays ago I finally got to run my 5g at the track. During practice, my CEL came on and ecu went into limp mode. I could never get my rpm's up. It would always act like it's hitting a rev limiter and I know it wasn't a traction or gearing issue because I could never get more than 1/4 throttle input. I'm running an H22A with a P13 from a BB1 jdm car.

I pulled codes 12,22 and 36. Would any of those cause the ecu to go into limp mode? I've read conflicting info on the vtec code causing the limp mode. I have my EGR unplugged so I knew that code would come up eventually, the traction control is most likely because the ecu and powertrain is from a BB1 4g car. The VTEC code was because (or pretty sure) of the plunger valve in the housing was stuck down. I have been able to replace it with a working one. Given the fact that its a race car, I can't exactly test it out driving down the street. I'd like to explore all options before hauling back to the track and end up with the same problem.

backinblue92

iTrader: (1)

Why'd you push the car when it went into limp mode? Limp mode aka SAFE mode is 3k rpm limit to prevent engine damage when a component fails. Does a CEL always trigger safe mode? I don't know, because I've only ever had a vtec solenoid CEL and it did.

Fix the problems, clear the codes, and you're good. The EGR iirc there's a wiring workaround to keep the CEL off. The traction, if it's all wired OBD1 then it shouldn't matter. That I couldn't really answer. And I'm sure the new solenoid cleared the vtec code.

I'd imagine it is all OBD1 because the '96 OBD2 P13 is very rare. I should know. Lol

holmesnmanny

The vtec solenoid code will put it into limp mode. Never even heard of the 36 before. You're probably reading that one wrong.

backinblue92

iTrader: (1)

36 is some jdm only ecu traction code. OP would have to look into what exactly it means and how to fix it. I've only ever heard of it.

spray004

Yeah 36 is the traction control code. From the little info that I found from searching is that it comes from the JDM BB1 only. It's the 4th plug on the ECU that doesn't get plugged in. My P13 is OBD1. I don't care so much about the CEL being on during the race. I was fairly sure the EGR code wouldn't cause the limp mode, but wasn't sure about the Vtec code or traction control. The Helms manual really doesn't give much info about what causes limp mode I figured it was easier to ask the question than trial and error. At least someone can confirm from experience that the VTEC issue will cause the ecu safe mode.

I really didn't push the car that hard after it went into limp mode. I just finished my laps on the bottom side out of the way, no different than driving a car home if it happened out on the street somewhere.

backinblue92

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I can def tell u the vtec code causes limp mode. I forgot to plug in the connector once and thought there was something massively wrong lol.

snobordboy

From what I remember the EGR code will cause limp mode as well. If you are racing the car only, it would probably be worthwhile to get a tuneable ecu setup of some type, even just a chipped P28 or something to disable the codes for things you arent using like EGR.

holmesnmanny

egr code just means the system is turned off it wont go into limp mode