[Warning Light] Amber triangle/ limp mode

[Jjedge]

Hiya everyone, First time here.

I have a 2012 1.6 diesel XTR.

Driving on the motorway the other day with the air con on at 70mph for about an hour, came up to some traffic congestion and slowed down to approx 15mph for about 10 minutes. Congestion cleared and then speeded up to 70mph again.

That’s when the amber triangle with the exclamation mark came up on the dash. Also comments on the alert log to the effect of ‘engine requires repair’ and side light out’.

We were in limp mode as well and had 50 miles to go before we were home.

Parked up at home, the radiator cooling fan was on high speed. Turned ignition off and the fan ran for a few minutes then stopped.

Restarted the engine and the amber triangle had gone. So I decided to switch engine off. Then disconnected the battery for several minutes.
Then reconnected the battery, started her up again. No amber triangle and the alert log was clear.
So went for a drive on the local dual carriageway up-to 70mph and back home. All ok.

Next day I phoned the Citroen garage and explained what had gone on. They said as there was no fault showing on the alert log, they may not find anything when doing the diagnostic check, so we agreed not to book the car in the workshop and I would monitor the situation.

So that’s where I am. I have noticed that on tick over when the air con is on, the radiator fan is cycling on for 5 seconds then off for 7 seconds on low speed. The air con is working great in the car.

The car is serviced by Citroen every year. Last December at the service all the belts were changed as well as the water pump. 71000 miles on the clock. 


I am just wondering if the warning light that came on is going to be a precursor for future issues.

If anybody could assist with some knowledge about what’s been happening, i would be very grateful.

[deejay_xb]

the radiator fan is cycling on for 5 seconds then off for 7 seconds on low speed.

this is abnormal, mine stays on always at idle when ac on

[Jjedge]

the radiator fan is cycling on for 5 seconds then off for 7 seconds on low speed.

this is abnormal, mine stays on always at idle when ac on

Thanks for the reply, i will keep an eye on it.
We have had the berlingo since new and up until now has never missed a beat.

[Sol]

@deejay_xb...did you notice the message of bulb fail warning in the diagnostic log....sidelight out.....

@Jjedge there's no way to tell without a diagnostic scan. Clearing the onboard log doesn't clear the ECU fault codes so it would have been worth getting it scanned. There are cheaper ways than a Citroen dealer however.

Limp mode is usually related to overheating, turbo boost issues or throttle coherence (bad pedal signals) - there are other things too.

[Jjedge]

@deejay_xb...did you notice the message of bulb fail warning in the diagnostic log....sidelight out.....

@Jjedge there's no way to tell without a diagnostic scan. Clearing the onboard log doesn't clear the ECU fault codes so it would have been worth getting it scanned. There are cheaper ways than a Citroen dealer however.

Limp mode is usually related to overheating, turbo boost issues or throttle coherence (bad pedal signals) - there are other things too.

Thanks for the info, yes, “the side light out “ comment was on the onboard log. Switching the lights on then off cleared that comment.

[Sol]

I pointed that out, as deejay has insisted before that these vehicles don't have a bulb warning system, when I insisted mine did....so it wasn't relevant to your problem, I just wanted to point out someone else had bulb warning too.....proof at last!

Regarding limp mode, you need it scanned or you will never ever find out what happened, and it could happen again.

[deejay_xb]

@Zion yes I noticed and I'm waiting for a bad bulb on my car to see if I get the message on display..

[Jjedge]

I pointed that out, as deejay has insisted before that these vehicles don't have a bulb warning system, when I insisted mine did....so it wasn't relevant to your problem, I just wanted to point out someone else had bulb warning too.....proof at last!

Regarding limp mode, you need it scanned or you will never ever find out what happened, and it could happen again.

Thanks for the replies. I will get it scanned.
And let you know what happens.

[Jjedge]

I pointed that out, as deejay has insisted before that these vehicles don't have a bulb warning system, when I insisted mine did....so it wasn't relevant to your problem, I just wanted to point out someone else had bulb warning too.....proof at last!

Regarding limp mode, you need it scanned or you will never ever find out what happened, and it could happen again.

Thanks for the replies. I will get it scanned.
And let you know what happens.

Have now had it scanned at the garage, there were faults all linked to the radiator fan control unit. The unit has been replaced and all is good now, ie when the air conditioner is switched on, the radiator fan does not cycle on and off anymore.

[Sol]

Interesting! One for the notebook then.