Failsafe Engine Mode
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Failsafe Engine Mode
My 1998 XKR has just started displaying the Failsafe Engine Mode warning. What does this warning indicate as it seems to come on with the ignition prior to starting the engine and stays on when started. The car seems to be running as well as normal. I am not sure what I was doing when it first came on but I seem to remember reseting the trip counter, is it possible to reset the computer and see if it comes on again or any ideas on what is the most likely cause of the problem. I recently had problems with Suspension Fault displaying intermittently which turned out to be a faulty sensor after many visits to the dealer trying to track the problem down at great expense.
Joined: Sep 2007
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From:
RE: Failsafe Engine Mode
Failsafe/Limp mode: I had this prob with my xJ8. the ******* said they could not find the prob but after changing the mother board and screwing it down twice, no problems at all. Also I have heared the same from other owners. help that helps some.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 199
Likes: 11
From: Southwest Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
RE: Failsafe Engine Mode
My suggestion would be to have the codes read at Auto Zone or other car parts store, this is a free service, and let us know what it, or they are and we can go from there.
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RE: Failsafe Engine Mode
Thanks everyone for your advice. Next time I used the car the warning had gone away and lasted for a few days only to come back on for one trip yesterday and then fine again today. I am in Australia so do not have access to an Auto Zone so will have to take it to the dealer to get the codes read.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: Leander, Tx. 78641
RE: Failsafe Engine Mode
I am getting this failsafe message before and it will flash while the car is running. It ideal higher then usual, will not accelerate untill peddle is at the floor. And then it will only goes a little faster
I have tryed to clear the code with my OBD2 code reader but the message will come back. I am now getting the message "Elec. throttle control position error." What am I doing to get this and is it possible to CLEAR the falesafe engine mode ?
I have tryed to clear the code with my OBD2 code reader but the message will come back. I am now getting the message "Elec. throttle control position error." What am I doing to get this and is it possible to CLEAR the falesafe engine mode ?
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
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From: Leander, Tx. 78641
I have tryed disconecting the battary, but the message is still there. Is it my throttle body, and do I need to get a whole new one? Someone Help please.
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 5
Buy some electrical contact cleaner at your auto store. Carefully remove the throttle position sensor connector and spray the contact cleaner into the cable end of the connector, not the throttle position sensor end. Sometimes contact resistance gets high enough to cause trouble code P0121 and this will put the car into failsafe mode.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 57
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
I had the same issue. I brought my 98 XK8 to the dealer. The service manager told me it was likely the brake switch (prior to testing). He was correct. He stated this is not an uncommon problem with the XK's. I would suggest bringing this to you dealer's attention prior to any expensive "attempts" to repair. Good luck....
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 92
From: Kansas City, MO
I have the same message popping up on my display. It normally shows up right as the engine reaches it's normal operating temp (half-way on the temp gauge). That's when the cruise control stops functioning. Other than that, I have no loss of power, or any other strange behavior.... Haven't checked the brake switch yet, but I think if that was the problem, the message would show up right away, and not wait for the engine to worm up... Right? May take it to AutoZone to have the codes read this weekend.
PS
The message just started like last week. It's been less than 5 days that I'm driving it this way. Funny thing thoug, last night I was coming back home and as soon as I got on the Hwy, I put the car in cruise, right before it reached the "operating temp" and the message never came on, and cruise worked all the way home... Needle in a hay-stack...
PS
The message just started like last week. It's been less than 5 days that I'm driving it this way. Funny thing thoug, last night I was coming back home and as soon as I got on the Hwy, I put the car in cruise, right before it reached the "operating temp" and the message never came on, and cruise worked all the way home... Needle in a hay-stack...
Last edited by mzs_biteme; Nov 2, 2010 at 05:23 PM.
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,114
Likes: 1,272
From: North Carolina
I have the same message popping up on my display. It normally shows up right as the engine reaches it's normal operating temp (half-way on the temp gauge). That's when the cruise control stops functioning. Other than that, I have no loss of power, or any other strange behavior.... Haven't checked the brake switch yet, but I think if that was the problem, the message would show up right away, and not wait for the engine to worm up... Right? May take it to AutoZone to have the codes read this weekend.
PS
The message just started like last week. It's been less than 5 days that I'm driving it this way. Funny thing thoug, last night I was coming back home and as soon as I got on the Hwy, I put the car in cruise, right before it reached the "operating temp" and the message never came on, and cruise worked all the way home... Needle in a hay-stack...
PS
The message just started like last week. It's been less than 5 days that I'm driving it this way. Funny thing thoug, last night I was coming back home and as soon as I got on the Hwy, I put the car in cruise, right before it reached the "operating temp" and the message never came on, and cruise worked all the way home... Needle in a hay-stack...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 92
From: Kansas City, MO
I think you may have a completely different problem. Are you saying that you ARE getting the failsafe engine mode warning on the dash but the car is NOT going into "limp" mode where you have almost no power? Give us a little more info about what exactly is happening, what the display says, and what year car you have.
Correct, no limp mode... Just the "failsafe" message, which shuts the cruise control down. Other than that, no rough idle, no limp mode, no other messages, well except for the "stability control disabled" message I've been driving on for the last 2 yrs, which could be anything from the ABS control unit to cables to $300 ABS sensors at the wheels...
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I have a 2000 XK8 and i also am getting the engine failsafe mode along with restricted performance, gearbox fault, check engine, etc. it stays in limp mode and it also drains the battery i am about to pull what's left of my hair out. any advice would be appreciated
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 2,284
From: on the road in NE Oklahoma
now I normally start the car in neutral, and even though there is nothing wrong with my charging system or battery, I keep a battery tender attached to the car whenever it sits overnight or longer.
Guess what ? No more failsafe or restricted performance messages. Maybe I’m just practicing voodoo, but the cost is zero and the failsafe gremlins are gone.
Z.
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