Well THAT didn't take long part deux!

[MPG_LR3]

Well...following on from my other thread, we picked up our '09 LR3 from the dealer on Wednesday evening after they replaced the O2 sensor....apparently that wasn't it!

I was driving up a large hill near our house and got the flashing CEL and reduced engine power message AGAIN. I shut it off, restarted it and it ran fine. I went back around to go up the hill again and found that if I held the throttle just shy of wide open (to the floor) it worked fine but as soon as floored it the truck immediately started the flashing CEL and reduced power again. Once again as soon as I shut her down and restarted, everything back to normal !

So now I'm thinking the O2 sensor was a casualty of whatever else is going on with this thing...my money is currently on the MAF. So it's off to the dealer again on Monday!

It's too bad I like this thing so much...I'd really like to punt it back to the a$$clowns that sold it to me with this issue!

Thanks again for humoring me!

Cheers,
Mike

 

[blackforestham]

Mike,

Do NOT discount the power of a failing battery. These rigs rely on optimal battery performance in order to operate on typical levels. Don't be convinced of ANY solution until it's checked out properly.

 

[MPG_LR3]

Are you saying that a marginal battery could actually cause these symptoms? I'm not discounting you as you obviously have more experience with these trucks than I do but I've never heard of a weak battery causing something like that to happen in any other vehicle I've owned!

I'll ask the dealer to check on the battery when I take it in on Monday...I really do appreciate the insight so thank you.

Cheers,
Mike

Mike,

Do NOT discount the power of a failing battery. These rigs rely on optimal battery performance in order to operate on typical levels. Don't be convinced of ANY solution until it's checked out properly.

 

[duckdive]

Mike,
Have them check the coolant sensor as well. When mine went out, the truck displayed the same symptoms you have described. If my memory isn't failing me it had something to do with the coolant resivour bottle leaking.

 

[MPG_LR3]

duckdive...thanks for the suggestion. Just to clarify are you talking about the sensor that indicates a low level of coolant in the overflow tank? If not, which sensor are you referring to? Was the problem the sensor itself or was it that the truck had too little coolant in it? I know that my coolant level is correct as measured by the marks on the side of the overflow reservoir. Thanks again for the input!

Cheers,
Mike

Mike,
Have them check the coolant sensor as well. When mine went out, the truck displayed the same symptoms you have described. If my memory isn't failing me it had something to do with the coolant resivour bottle leaking.

 

[blackforestham]

This is a weird rig for sure. Once the battery loses 100% efficiency, strange things happen. HDC, Limited Gears Available, Special Programs Not Available... Things that you would never suspect from a simple thing as a battery. This is a heavily reliant vehicle on the battery and charging system.

 

[MPG_LR3]

blackforestham...given the extreme reliance on good battery and charging of this truck how long would you expect a good quality battery to last before degrading enough to cause these sorts of issues? I ask because the battery in mine can't be more than 2.5 years old. What kind of battery replacement schedule have you been on with yours?

It really does seem like a strange vehicle . But I'll tell you...I've only had mine a week (and 2 days of that were in the shop) and I can already see why everyone loves these things so much despite the pain and suffering they can inflict !

Cheers,
Mike

This is a weird rig for sure. Once the battery loses 100% efficiency, strange things happen. HDC, Limited Gears Available, Special Programs Not Available... Things that you would never suspect from a simple thing as a battery. This is a heavily reliant vehicle on the battery and charging system.

 

[blackforestham]

3 years seems to be about right. I'm soooo used to 6years before catastrophic failure. "Times, they are a changing..."

 

[duckdive]

duckdive...thanks for the suggestion. Just to clarify are you talking about the sensor that indicates a low level of coolant in the overflow tank?

Cheers,
Mike

Correct, and my coolant level was well monitored. If I'm not mistaken there was problem with the plastic tanks leaking out of the top.

 

[JackMac]

My money remains firmly on MAF sensor. Coolant *temp* sensor is a possibility. Lastly, did you check the engine air filter?

Looking forward to the next installment in resolving your CEL mystery!