[Warning Light] 2.0 HDI EML [P0227] on cold mornings

[td5]

Hi all,

Each year when the weather turns exceptionally cold, with the first start of the day I get the Engine Management Light come on and the car goes into limp mode. I'd say zero or sub-zero temperatures only.

If I leave the car running for a few minutes and then restart it, the light will stay on but it is no longer in limp mode so it's not a massive inconvenience. If I then go on to restart a few more times the EML light will extinguish altogether on the 4th/5th restart. This is a reliable and repeatable workaround.

I have access to Lexia and the only code generated is P0227 Pedal/throttle position switch/sensor circuit "C" low input.

   

This has been happening on very cold winter days for the last 5 or 6 years during which time the car is regularly serviced, new battery, MAF etc. when needed.

I have tried leaving the ignition on for several minutes before cranking to give the glowpugs time to do their pre/post thing, also tried pumping pedal and/or holding it down during cranking but the light will come on either during cranking or shortly afterwards.

The car is a 55 plate Berlingo 2.0 HDi with 210k miles which I have owned since new and is used daily with a long trip each week and, apart from this EML anomaly, it runs very well.

Although I have a workaround for the issue it would be great to try and fix it at source if anyone has any ideas?

Kind Regards

Peter

[Kyleonsite]

How quickly does it fire up when cranking? Only asking as IIRC the ECU has to see 300rpm cranking speed before firing the injectors / starting the engine. The standard 2.0hdi starter is 1.4kw and struggles when turning cold thick oil.
There is a 1.7kw starter that directly replaces the 1.4kw that turns the engine with more vigour and fires it pretty much instantly even in cold weather.

My 2.0hdi with the 1.4kw starter didnt flag the EML but is the only thing I can think of that could make a difference when the ambients drop.

[td5]

How quickly does it fire up when cranking? Only asking as IIRC the ECU has to see 300rpm cranking speed before firing the injectors / starting the engine. The standard 2.0hdi starter is 1.4kw and struggles when  turning cold thick oil.
There is a 1.7kw starter that directly replaces the 1.4kw that turns the engine with more vigour and fires it pretty much instantly even in cold weather.

My 2.0hdi with the 1.4kw starter didnt flag the EML but is the only thing I can think of that could make a difference when the ambients drop.

Thanks, I am already running with the upgraded starter and it generally turns over and fires pretty quickly although this morning was supposedly -8 and it did take a few churns before firing and the light did come on during cranking. 

On other occasions though it can be running for a while before coming on - although it's probably under some load from the thicker oil, heater demister, heated rear window. The other day it came on just as I hit the electric window buttons to help clear them - not sure if that was a coincidence or not and the revs may have dropped at the same time but it was up and running for a few minutes beforehand.

[ffrenchie]

I have tried leaving the ignition on for several minutes before cranking to give the glowpugs time to do their pre/post thing, also tried pumping pedal and/or holding it down during cranking but the light will come on either during cranking or shortly afterwards.

Kind Regards

Peter

Pressing or pumping the pedal will achieve nothing and will add to your problem as it will bypass part of the diesel cold start process.