'03 X-Type 2.5 manual,
Here's the scenario: Highway driving with cruise set, approaching my exit. As I get to the exit, shut cruise off with the on/off switch. I've always done this. Twice now (months apart), my car has gone into "limp mode" and cel comes on on as I'm coasting up the exit ramp. Both times, I limp off the road, shut off the ignition, wait a few seconds and restart. All is fine and normal, no cel either. Drive away and life goes on.

Has anyone else experienced this? Often enough to diag and repair? I don't want to pay to diag an electronic gremlin that's happened only twice in 4 months, but electrical issues concern me.

 

Rudy, for something like what you are describing, have a load test done on your battery (free at most parts stores). It is very possible that your battery is starting to go (especially if it is over 3 years old). After that, I would tell you to clean your throttlebody with some "throttlebody cleaner" (not carb cleaner). See if that helps any. Just a side note, after cleaning the throttlebody, the car may be hard to start. This is due to you effectively flooding the car out.

After that, take a look at the wiring on the drivers side of the throttlebody. Some members have experienced these wires getting damaged, which has lead to numerous engine problems, all of which cause the car to go into "Limp Mode".

 

My 03 2.5L manual does something similar. Once I'm up at speed, I quickly turn cruise on then push "set" within a nanosecond. The car goes into limp home mode, I get various dash lights and have to restart. However, I notice that the car won't function properly unless I shut it off for about a minute. If I try a rapid re-start, it remains in limp home mode.

 

Thermo, you might be on to something - I forgot the throttle is "drive by wire", maybe the power being shut off while applied has a wierd effect on a corroded connector or something. Thanks!