BT50 Owners help please. Power loss when towing

Brownie2 · Senior Member

BT50 Owners help please. Power loss when towing

Charm · Member

Engine protected by a rev limiter so it can't be over revved when in neutral so that has no bearing on your fault. Sounds like could possibly be a fuel problem and that could be why it is not coding up

Charm · Member

I would suggest dyno testing to locate fault

iana · Guru

Hmm we've had two Rangers (latest model) do that around town, turns out the fuel pumps were buggered, apparently they don't like water, had water in the fuel. That if my memory serves me correctly cost about $1800, including the cost of the new pump each.
I will be fitting an extra fuel pump to my BT50 as insurance.

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Hi Charm, When the fault is not apparent, ie most of the time, if I want to rev the engine it spins very freely way over 3-4000RPM (as much as I would like to rev it without load at least). If we can't get answers tomorrow the dyno test would be a great idea. Thanks also to you iana. I'll put that to the service guys tomorrow.

iana · Guru

Sorry, Typo, I meant "Fitting an extra fuel filter" not fuel pump.

erad · Guru

Brownie2: You don't say if you have a manual or auto transmission, but I assume it is auto. It sounds as if the tranny is overheating and the engine management system is shutting down. Maybe you need a transmission cooler?

ken thomas · Guru

Check out the following link from the ford ranger forum
I also had same sort of trouble
Ken

newranger.net/forums/viewtopic.php

http://newranger.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=7302#p79901

-- Edited by ken thomas on Sunday 31st of July 2016 12:02:18 PM

Brownie2 · Senior Member

It has an auto trans. I was towing in Sports mode (manual) and only cruised in 5th. Have thought of trans overheating but shouldn't that leave an error code?

I've been reading the other links with iterest, but nothing seems to be quite the same as this issue. I'll keep reading. Thanks for your input.

PS: The temp gauge never moved. Just sat on the normal half way point.

-- Edited by Brownie2 on Sunday 31st of July 2016 12:41:21 PM

Charm · Member

Sorry meant MTQ in Dandenong

Charm · Member

I also agree with extra fuel filter. Get advice and choose right one.

Woody n Sue · Guru

Hi Brownie2 this may be a long shot but a freind of mine a couple of years ago had similar problem with his navara derating for no reason after much head scratching and time in dry dock it was discovered that it had a bad sensor on the gearbox reverse indicator apparently they derate them when in reverse ( God only knows why but) it was telling the computer that it was in reverse hence no power even though it was in a forward gear like I said a long shot but who knows
Also a Neibour had issues can't remember whether it effected the engine or not but when the tow bar was fitted they managed to jam the trailer plug lead under the tow bar clamps and eventually started to short out just something else to check that one would never think of. Good luck finding your fault
Woody

Charm · Member

All things mentioned would code up. I feel it could be a fuel problem however a dyno test is the place to start. I suggest you contact MTQ in Hammond road Dandenong but do get a quote first. They are very familiar with these problems and can carry out Dyno testing.

Woody n Sue · Guru

Hi there charm and welcome to this forum
I am not being rude here so please forgive me but neither of the things I mentioned showed an error code which is why it took both of them a long time to track down we had issues with our VN commodore years ago when it was new and it never showed an error code I am a little old school and don't share your confidence in error code logging
Again I am not intending to be rude with my post just sharing my experances and opinion as you are
Woody

Charm · Member

Hi woody. Things have improved since vn commodore days and the ability for ecu's to store fault codes has vastly improved. Thanks Woody I don't take offence just trying to be helpful I have just recently retired from the field with 45 years experience.

Ron-D · Guru

With my car when the auto gearbox is over stressed and it has happened , it goes into safety mode and locks into second gear .

sounds like you have an issue when under load that may be causing your problem,surely they just can't say there's no fault showing on the computer and leave it at that.

a good workshop should sort it out, and when they do could you let us know it may help others with the same car..

good luck with it...

Brownie2 · Senior Member

We are going to Traralgon again tomorrow with the van in tow. Sure hope the fault re-occurs but preferably not as we go up the hills to Mirboo North!
I will surely let everyone know what happens. Thanks to everyone for your comments. It all helps.
Brownie.

goldcoaster · Senior Member

I have a mate who is having the same problem in his Pathfinder when towing , been back quite a few times to no avail. Doesn't do it all the time just now and then, not a good feel when it dies on you , apart from the abuse from people following , it is quite dangerous. If you find out let us know , and I will pass it on. He is looking around at the moment to trade it , he's had enough.
Cheers
Mick

Stl · Senior Member

Hi Brownie, I had the same sort of problem with a 2012 model, a light came on the dash as well. It would register on mazdas computer as a fault but no code. Long story short after numerous times back to Mazda, even took a photo of the dash with light on, but when get to service centreÂ light gone out fault self fixed ?? had a dummy spit and left it with them saying no good to me might as well take up your garage space as mine. They drove it every day and after about a fortnight I get a call to say the fault had happened light on and they pinpointed to a crank angle sensor, go figure. Had no problems since.

Ps, how is your drivers seat and rear springs? I'd sooner get a wisdom tooth pulled than get something fixed by Mazda, not nearly as painful.

I bet their response will be have never herd of this before.?

All the best.

Len :))

-- Edited by Stl on Monday 1st of August 2016 09:19:12 AM

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Exactly right Len, exactly the words used about never seeing it before. We're stuck half way to the dealers after having to pull over 4 times. It'll take us until next week to get there the rate we are going.
Will keep you all posted.

kezngaz · Senior Member

Hi there, very slightly off topic, but..
Ive found that with main dealers and vehicles under warrenty they tend to try and push tou away with "no fault found" and "well it never happens when we have it".
I found that you have to be VERY firm with them and perhaps give their head office a call and complain about the service your getting.
They just seem to fob you off until its at your cost.
Keep on at them and good luck!!
Kezngaz.

Brownie2 · Senior Member

G'day everyone. CASE CLOSED!!
Got a hint from another forum that the hoses on the fuel filter could have been mixed up. They are color coded in two colors, and both of the same color have to be on the same side. How hard can that be!
Towed the van over to Traralgon. Stopped 5 times. Mentioned the hoses clue to the Service Manager and left it to him. Sure enough they had been mixed up by the mechanic on the last service. I must admit it was not a Mazda dealer. I have a mate who is Service Manager at a Toyota dealership and he has been looking after all our cars for years.

I suspect one of his men will be getting a size 9 up the clacker today!!
Sincerely, thank everyone for their comments.
Cheers,
Brownie

-- Edited by Brownie2 on Monday 1st of August 2016 04:13:09 PM

Rodtrish · Member

Hi,Bownie glad My reply to your problem helped and hope this can save others from unnecessary expense when servicing there BT50 trucks. Cheers Rod

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Thanks Rod. Just goes to show how valuable these forums are. There will always be someone out there to help.
BTW still cost us $68 for you to provide the solution!! Happy to pay it by the way.

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Photo of the filter with hoses in the Correct position.

Ron-D · Guru

Good to see it was such an easy fix and such an obvious one, simple mistakes can happen in busy workshops.anyway it's worked out well in the end happy days thanks for the photo...

mickm · Veteran Member

I have a mate who is technically illiterate so I installed a light bar, reverse cameras and fog lights for him on his new BT50. This happened more than a month ago. The other day he called me from Townsville. The story so far is that the car went into limp home mode so he limped to the nearest Mazda dealer who explained that it was probably caused by the aftermarket accessories fitted to the car. Not happy with this diagnosis he phoned me to ascertain my opinion. I suggested going to an auto sparky. The sparky wanted my mate to go back to Mazda and ask for the error codes generated. This is where it gets interesting. Upon hearing about the request for error codes Mazda decided to have another "look" at the vehicle. Result my mate is now hanging around Townsville in a loaner from Mazda while a new transmission is found, delivered and fitted.
He is unhappy but relieved that the problem has not been fobbed off and that the possible scenario of breaking down in the back of Bourke has been avoided.

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Hi Mickm, Interesting story!! Thanks for sharing it. Was he towing, and what weight was the van if so? Ours is going beautifully again. Just waiting on a few things for our new Kimberley and we will be off big time! We love the BT50 so hope we have a trouble free run from now on.
Cheers,
Brownie

mickm · Veteran Member

Brownie2 Yes he was towing a Crusader van but I can't tell you the size.

Hendos · Newbie

Thanks for you story Brownie. I just had the same problem. I recently had my BT50 serviced and they messed up the furl lines. I called out Mazda road side assistance. He gave my intercooler hose a couple of good squeezes then said "I don't know. You should take it to a mechanic". After a couple of days i came across your post and my delema was solved. Thanks