Car goes into limp mode during stop and go traffic?
Posted by eyesonkazuhira@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 19 comments
Hey everyone. I have a 2013 Nissan Altima (I know lol) that has been going into
Limp mode anytime I constantly get into stop and go traffic especially if it idles in drive for a while due to said traffic. When it happens, it won’t go past 40 mph and the exterior break lights stay on permanently until it either exists LM or if I turn off the car turn it on and
Then back off.
I initially thought that because my floor seat was inteferrring with the break that it did that so I took away the floor seats and it wss still doing it.
I hired a mobile mechanic and they fixed which I thought was the issue the break switch but it’s still doing it again. I took it to
A mechanic and they did a diagnostic test but they immediately stopped at when they got codes back for Transmission issues. Which I’m aware it has but is it possible it can be the o2 sensor instead since they didn’t even proceed further with telling me if any other codes popped up. Was wondering if you guys have any advice or do you think it’s just solely transmission? I’m aware of the issue and it’s inevitable it’s gonna give out soon but was hoping that the issue isn’t that directly but something else so I can keep duct taping this car into it literally says no mas. Thanks everyone.
Hash-82@reddit
If you've got transmission codes, you're literally walking dead with that car anyway.
And, that would line up with stop and go triggering limp mode.
When was the last time CVT fluid was changed?
eyesonkazuhira@reddit (OP)
Not too sure. How long do you think I have until it kicks the bucket lol
Hash-82@reddit
No way to tell.
So many of those transmissions quit in the middle of an intersection, with no noticeable symptom ever to warn the owner.
I've known of a few that have stuttered, slipped and thrown codes for years.
Straight up RNG.
eyesonkazuhira@reddit (OP)
Possible break relay switch?
Hash-82@reddit
No.
I forget the name of the sensor in the trans that trips the codes and shuts it down.
However, the end result is that the transmission has eaten itself, and has to be replaced.
Upstairs_Art11@reddit
I had a car do that in stop and go traffic and it ended up not being the transmission itself.
For me it was a sensor/connection issue that only showed up when the car got hot and idled a lot. The fact it resets after restart kinda points that way too. I’d double check wiring/connectors before assuming the transmission is done.
eyesonkazuhira@reddit (OP)
Break relay switch?
Upstairs_Art11@reddit
Could be honestly, especially since the brake lights staying on is part of the whole thing.
Electrical/brake switch stuff can cause some really weird behavior once the car gets hot and sits in traffic for a while.
eyesonkazuhira@reddit (OP)
Yeah that’s what a family member told me. It’s like the movie speed- if I don’t hit enough stop and go traffic and just on the highway all the time it won’t do that at all and operate as normal it’s just the constant stop and go traffic it will do it. If I hit a red light normally and green light etc it’s fine it’s just the 5 o clock traffic or morning traffic it will do that.
Upstairs_Art11@reddit
Yeah that actually lines up a lot with heat/idle related stuff.
Mine only acted up in traffic too, never on the highway. Once everything cooled down it was fine again. That’s why I’d still lean more toward a sensor/wiring issue than the transmission itself, especially since it resets every time.
eyesonkazuhira@reddit (OP)
For
Sure I know the Transmission is slowly dying on me
Since the mechanic I went to a year ago told me
Hey just start saving money now lol. Wish I did but yeah I will look into
That. Thanks :)
Upstairs_Art11@reddit
Yeah that makes sense, those CVTs do wear out over time for sure.
I’d just say since it’s so specific to stop and go, it still feels a bit “too situational” to be only the transmission. Could be a mix of things going on. Either way, probably worth checking the simpler stuff first before giving up on it.
eyesonkazuhira@reddit (OP)
I also noticed too that I’m burning more gas than normal so it’s very possible it could be that.
XtraChrisP@reddit
Transmission issue. One of 3 or 4. Sorry.
Hungry-Job-3198@reddit
Brake switches don’t out your vehicle into limp mode. There’s a reason why the tech didn’t continue to look at it after seeing transmission codes. Those are why it’s going into limp mode 🤷♂️ almost 100% positive. Until that’s addressed there is no reason to do any other repairs
eyesonkazuhira@reddit (OP)
Do you think that it’s a o2 sensor/wiring?
Hungry-Job-3198@reddit
No I think it’s the transmission and don’t understand why you skipped the whole part of me saying it’s NOT the O2 it’s the transmission lol
Albert14Pounds@reddit
What are floor seats?
Realistic_Complex539@reddit
Very unlikely for an O2 sensor to cause a car to go into limp mode. Possible if its the upstream messing up the air/fuel ratio, but it would probably be constant and not just stop/go traffic.
They didnt tell you what transmission codes you have, like overheating? Are you able to check your CVT fluid yourself? Any slipping that you notice? Unfortunately, CVTs are not known to be reliable, and its entirely possible that its simply going out.