2015 model RT suddenly goes to "limp mode" - Advice needed please!

[Monty]

Hi folks,

The gory details will be in the travel blog, but today my bike suddenly lost power and went into limp mode 3 times. First time at the top of the Timmelsjoch Pass in the fog. As I did not want to risk switching off and being stranded at 2 degrees in the fog up a mountain we limped down the valley. Engine stuck at around 3000 rpm constantly with little throttle control. Engine fault light on the dash was lit. Had to use the brakes and gears to get down and not huge fun fully loaded. Once safely down, switching off and on reset it.

Decided to drop into BMW dealer in Bolzano for them to check. No fault codes came up but they reinstalled the latest software just in case that was an issue. Very nice folks they were too.

All running great until up the top of the last pass of the day, then the same happened. Switched off and on and all OK. Happened again a couple of minutes later, then behaved itself.

The only common circumstance was the 2100+ metres altitude, so my first guess would be an intermittent sensor fault? I found a post on Adventure Rider mentioning the same issue that turned out to be a faulty TPS. Anyone heard of this on the LC bikes?

I am tempted to call BMW but I can see that being a painful process, especially if no fault codes show when the bike arrives at the dealer. Any wisdom that I can be armed with before I go that way would be appreciated. Until then I will hope that the switch off, switch on routine works again next time.

Cheers,

Matt

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[Karlread]

One thing I would suggest is when it happens again(if), if you can keep it running and take a photo of the dash display as well as a diary of when and where it happens. It may give BMW something to work on.
Hope the remainder of the journey remains problem free.

 

[stever1]

Get it to a dealer NOW. What happens when it does it when at high speed, or your cranked over.

 

[ebbo]

Engine goes into limp mode and nothing recorded in the ECU, what's that all about

 

[degsey]

have you pro shift

 

[Monty]

have you pro shift

Yes I have. Could that be an issue?

Matt

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[Monty]

One thing I would suggest is when it happens again(if), if you can keep it running and take a photo of the dash display as well as a diary of when and where it happens. It may give BMW something to work on.
Hope the remainder of the journey remains problem free.

Great idea. Obvious now you mention it. Will get some video too.

Matt

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[Monty]

Get it to a dealer NOW. What happens when it does it when at high speed, or your cranked over.

I did but they Couldn't find any issues, alas.

Matt

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[degsey]

well..... Ive found a couple of times on mine if I have any pressure on the gear lever it cuts the engine and renders the throttle useless

 

[Monty]

The lovely John Gowers, of this parish and currently at Gasthof Hochalmspitze, has kindly agreed to have a chat with the local dealer in Villach and hopefully they will have some ideas. I will be passing on Friday on the way from Slovenia so it might just work out, even if I end up in a car for a few days.

We shall see.

Matt

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[jetjock]

Take it to Volkswagen ??

 

[Smug]

Could it be that the high altitude makes the mixture unacceptably weak causing the ECU to go into limp home mode?

 

[Puggy]

Could it be that the high altitude makes the mixture unacceptably weak causing the ECU to go into limp home mode?

This is the most likely scenario, but I am no expert. However, The only common factor is the altitude. No ECU fault code because there is no fault with the ECU. Once it senses the oxygen is below a certain threshold it restricts the engine to prevent damage. 2100 metres is quite high in a European context. I am sure that this setting could be modified but you would need to go to someone like Hilltop Motorcycles. Geoff at Hilltop said that my 2014 LC was running very very lean before it was remapped, and I would imagine removing a lot of oxygen from the mix means the ECU has to further lean the (already very) fuel mixture due to the altitude and this gets to a point where it has to shut down....

Get your bike remapped, and try again and it may fix the issue.

Puggy

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Hi Matt, Sorry to read of your problems mate, Hope it gets resolved, I know it don't help now, but if you get home see the light and trade the fu!*&££ in for a R1100RT


Seriously though, do you plan any more trips over 2000 meters because if that's only when the problem appears stay lower and sort it when you get home

 

[DC]

Just to throw a spanner in the works , I've been over passes higher than 2000m. Not had any issues

It certinally needs looking at though.

 

[Monty]

Hi Matt, Sorry to read of your problems mate, Hope it gets resolved, I know it don't help now, but if you get home see the light and trade the fu!*&££ in for a R1100RT


Seriously though, do you plan any more trips over 2000 meters because if that's only when the problem appears stay lower and sort it when you get home

It was our first day in the mountains, Mark. 2000 metres most days for the next week. This could cause a lot of inconvenience at the very least.

Matt

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[JohnnyBoxer]

Ride the valleys & miss the mountains

 

[Cortina]

Could it be that the high altitude makes the mixture unacceptably weak causing the ECU to go into limp home mode?

Nope based on my experience of last week - went over Col de L'Iseran (highest paved pass in Alps) at about 2700 M ... not a bother two up laden.

 

[Boxed-in]

Take it to Volkswagen ??

That is why the diagnostic did not find any problem when tested.

 

[The Grey One]

This is the most likely scenario, but I am no expert. However, The only common factor is the altitude. No ECU fault code because there is no fault with the ECU. Once it senses the oxygen is below a certain threshold it restricts the engine to prevent damage. 2100 metres is quite high in a European context. I am sure that this setting could be modified but you would need to go to someone like Hilltop Motorcycles. Geoff at Hilltop said that my 2014 LC was running very very lean before it was remapped, and I would imagine removing a lot of oxygen from the mix means the ECU has to further lean the (already very) fuel mixture due to the altitude and this gets to a point where it has to shut down....

Get your bike remapped, and try again and it may fix the issue.

Puggy

As you say you are no expert! 2100 metres is hardly unusual. I don't often take a run from here without getting close to or on many occasions over that. The sensors should be able to cope easily with such altitudes. The advice on a re map is not helpful for someone stuck in Europe.


John