MAZDA BT50 2018 WENT INTO LIMP MODE TOWING UP A HILL WITH SMALL CARAVAN ATTACHED.

cobberdog · Veteran Member

MAZDA BT50 2018 WENT INTO LIMP MODE TOWING UP A HILL WITH SMALL CARAVAN ATTACHED.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Prob find it over boosted or trans getting hot ? What gear was it in ? Try changing down ?

Bicyclecamper · Guru

I think this limp mode problem which I also had on my last car, is a failure of modern diesels engines. I don't think their is a make out their that doesn't do it in some form or the other. I know it does happen in petrol vehicles, but not as much. I will never get another diesel vehicle again, as it was an recurring theme in my Pathy, and a friends triton and his new Isuzu I think they are only building vehicles today to a cost level, not a performance level. If you knew that a vehicle had this problem before you bought it, you wouldn't buy it would you. Their are 23 things on a vehicle that can make it happen, and I replaced 70% of them before I found it. My newer vehicle will tow , my current van, with 150kg, more capacity over the van, but, I am selling the van, and going back to a lightweight camper. I don't think vehicles are designed today to tow, the weight that they say they can tow, I think their is a lot of poetic writing in their so called application of design. As a matter of fact, their are outright lies being told in the industry. NB: What was the problem - it was the Turbo Solenoid, sometimes it would work sometimes it wouldn't. So would replace something, it would be ok for a month, then it would happen again, on and on it went.

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Friday 5th of March 2021 04:10:40 PM

travelyounger · Guru

cobberdog wrote:
Hi, hoping to get some help,information please. we were towing our very small ( 13.5 ft ) caravan, all was normal untill we got to a, not very steep hill of which i have driven up many times before , when after approx 300mtrs up,transmission dropped back a gear which seemed normal then a few seconds later we lost all power from the engine, it didnt stall or stop running but would only do around 10 kph. the truck that was behind us had to avoid us and swerved into another lane narrowly avoiding a major collision ( yes, he was too close to us ). The outside temp was about 32deg, the MAZDA has only got 32,000klms on the clock. i took it to our local MAZDA dealer to yesterday and they had today as well , they called me and asked for photos of our caravan as well as the drawbar area, what we carry in our van and they also weighed our bt50 which has all our camping gear recovery gear, bullbar, winch , towbar, etc. The report they gave me today when i picked-up the car CARRIED OUT SYSTEM CHECK = NO CODES SORED IN SYSTEM
TEST DRIVE = OK
INSPECTED FUEL = OK
SUSPECT TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE ENTERED INTO FAIL/SAFE MODE AS A RESULT OF WEIGHT AND HEAT TO PREVENT DAMAGE
NO FAULTS FOUND
I purchased the mazda for its towing capacity new , looked at all mazda promotions on towing ability , big 3.2 ltr engine etc. MAZDA(local dealer) , said they will send the above weights,pictures etc to there specialists to look at. they aslo asked if i had cruise controll engaged as this may cause this type of problem(which i didnt), i dont think i had it in sports mode but checking the manual it states only if long/steep hills.
We are about to leave with the van for a few months away soon and getting a little worried about it happening again in the KIMBERLY OR F/N/QLAND .
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS WITH MAZDA. Happy travells every-ono.

Hi
I had a similar issue with my 2017 Dmax towing up a very long and steep hill going into limp mode at the top of the hill in auto mode and again happened in manual mode on a mountain gravel road in similar hill climb but I was towing up to the limit.

Izuzu could not find any error codes but did do a software update on the system and has not done it since and maybe fitting a oil cooler and gearbox torque locking kit could fix the problem .

Cheers

Bicyclecamper · Guru

travelyounger wrote:
cobberdog wrote:
Hi, hoping to get some help,information please. we were towing our very small ( 13.5 ft ) caravan, all was normal untill we got to a, not very steep hill of which i have driven up many times before , when after approx 300mtrs up,transmission dropped back a gear which seemed normal then a few seconds later we lost all power from the engine, it didnt stall or stop running but would only do around 10 kph. the truck that was behind us had to avoid us and swerved into another lane narrowly avoiding a major collision ( yes, he was too close to us ). The outside temp was about 32deg, the MAZDA has only got 32,000klms on the clock. i took it to our local MAZDA dealer to yesterday and they had today as well , they called me and asked for photos of our caravan as well as the drawbar area, what we carry in our van and they also weighed our bt50 which has all our camping gear recovery gear, bullbar, winch , towbar, etc. The report they gave me today when i picked-up the car CARRIED OUT SYSTEM CHECK = NO CODES SORED IN SYSTEM
TEST DRIVE = OK
INSPECTED FUEL = OK
SUSPECT TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE ENTERED INTO FAIL/SAFE MODE AS A RESULT OF WEIGHT AND HEAT TO PREVENT DAMAGE
NO FAULTS FOUND
I purchased the mazda for its towing capacity new , looked at all mazda promotions on towing ability , big 3.2 ltr engine etc. MAZDA(local dealer) , said they will send the above weights,pictures etc to there specialists to look at. they aslo asked if i had cruise controll engaged as this may cause this type of problem(which i didnt), i dont think i had it in sports mode but checking the manual it states only if long/steep hills.
We are about to leave with the van for a few months away soon and getting a little worried about it happening again in the KIMBERLY OR F/N/QLAND .
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS WITH MAZDA. Happy travells every-ono.

Hi
I had a similar issue with my 2017 Dmax towing up a very long and steep hill going into limp mode at the top of the hill in auto mode and again happened in manual mode on a mountain gravel road in similar hill climb but I was towing up to the limit.
Izuzu could not find any error codes but did do a software update on the system and has not done it since and maybe fitting a oil cooler and gearbox torque locking kit could fix the problem .
Cheers

You shouldn't have to fit things to these new vehicles, to make operate properly, the way it should from the start. For godsake, he is towing a low weight small van, if the vehicle can't handle that, it is time to go back to the company, and demand a refund, - it has been done before!

travelyounger · Guru

Bicyclecamper wrote:
travelyounger wrote:
cobberdog wrote:
Hi, hoping to get some help,information please. we were towing our very small ( 13.5 ft ) caravan, all was normal untill we got to a, not very steep hill of which i have driven up many times before , when after approx 300mtrs up,transmission dropped back a gear which seemed normal then a few seconds later we lost all power from the engine, it didnt stall or stop running but would only do around 10 kph. the truck that was behind us had to avoid us and swerved into another lane narrowly avoiding a major collision ( yes, he was too close to us ). The outside temp was about 32deg, the MAZDA has only got 32,000klms on the clock. i took it to our local MAZDA dealer to yesterday and they had today as well , they called me and asked for photos of our caravan as well as the drawbar area, what we carry in our van and they also weighed our bt50 which has all our camping gear recovery gear, bullbar, winch , towbar, etc. The report they gave me today when i picked-up the car CARRIED OUT SYSTEM CHECK = NO CODES SORED IN SYSTEM
TEST DRIVE = OK
INSPECTED FUEL = OK
SUSPECT TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE ENTERED INTO FAIL/SAFE MODE AS A RESULT OF WEIGHT AND HEAT TO PREVENT DAMAGE
NO FAULTS FOUND
I purchased the mazda for its towing capacity new , looked at all mazda promotions on towing ability , big 3.2 ltr engine etc. MAZDA(local dealer) , said they will send the above weights,pictures etc to there specialists to look at. they aslo asked if i had cruise controll engaged as this may cause this type of problem(which i didnt), i dont think i had it in sports mode but checking the manual it states only if long/steep hills.
We are about to leave with the van for a few months away soon and getting a little worried about it happening again in the KIMBERLY OR F/N/QLAND .
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS WITH MAZDA. Happy travells every-ono.

Hi
I had a similar issue with my 2017 Dmax towing up a very long and steep hill going into limp mode at the top of the hill in auto mode and again happened in manual mode on a mountain gravel road in similar hill climb but I was towing up to the limit.
Izuzu could not find any error codes but did do a software update on the system and has not done it since and maybe fitting a oil cooler and gearbox torque locking kit could fix the problem .
Cheers
You shouldn't have to fit things to these new vehicles, to make operate properly, the way it should from the start. For godsake, he is towing a low weight small van, if the vehicle can't handle that, it is time to go back to the company, and demand a refund, - it has been done before!

Two year old vehicle you would need a good reason or legal team for that to happen

Bicyclecamper · Guru

My dad did it on an 18 month old vehicle, for a recurring problem, that left us in the lurch all the time, on the way to town nearly every 2nd day, Ford took it back, and dad never bought another new car.

Mike Harding · Guru

If it went into limp mode but did not generate any error codes it is likely to be a software bug.

There is nothing you can do about this except ask Mazda if they have any software updates for your vehicle although there is no guarantee that will fix it.

I suggest you write (a letter, not email) to senior management at both the dealer and Mazda Australia detailing what happened (including the truck), what investigations revealed and that you are most concerned about the future safety aspect of the vehicle should this event recur - that should make them sit up and take notice.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
I suggest you write (a letter, not email)

Agree.

cobberdog · Veteran Member

Thanks for the feedback, ive contacted MAZDA(dealership) again and was asked to be patient untill MAZDA have looked at photos, weights etc, Mazda will then contact me. If it happens again,to contact them . im hoping no trucks are close behind us again. PS- i will mention if a possible software update could help at all . The dealership did say that they are now recommending to upgrade transmission oil cooler to vehicles that get get towbars fitted- ( DIDNT MENTION THIS IN THE ADVERTISEMENTS OR DEALERSHIP WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND THEY FITTED THE TOWBAR). cheers everyone, take it easy on the road. PS- I would have thought an email which has time-date , proof that it was sent etc would be better than a letter.

-- Edited by cobberdog on Sunday 7th of March 2021 11:12:03 AM

-- Edited by cobberdog on Sunday 7th of March 2021 11:13:18 AM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Its nothing new . My 05 Diesel Chevy did the same. Software is protecting itself . They all say they dont need trans coolers so they can SELL them ! What would a salesperson know anyway ! I think you have to drive em a little different . Ease up on the big hills ? They are tuned mainly for their own weight .

cobberdog · Veteran Member

That may be true AUS-KIWI but sifting through the internet the problem seems to be mainly ford rangers and mazda bt50 which are built at same factory, and share same 3.3 engine, gearbox and other, for this reason i think there is a common, potentially dangerous problem as in my situation if a car or truck is too close when it happens and clips the caravan on great ocean road or similar, it could be a disaster.

-- Edited by cobberdog on Sunday 7th of March 2021 11:48:14 AM

-- Edited by cobberdog on Sunday 7th of March 2021 11:53:29 AM

Mike Harding · Guru

>Thanks for the feedback, ive contacted MAZDA(dealership) again and was asked to be patient untill MAZDA have looked at photos, weights etc,

Nothing there will explain why it went into limp mode but failed to generate an error code.

>PS- i will mention if a possible software update could help at all

Unless this is a known fault (doesn't sound like it) then the dealer won't have a clue. This is a major issue with modern cars, they dealers don't understand the electronics and software within them - all they do is follow error codes, manual flow charts, change boxes and hope.

Upon reflection I suggest an e-mail in addition to a letter, both with the same content - I like letters for this type of problem because few people today write them and there is a significant psychological impact. You could even "CC" it your solicitor or at least pretend?

----

>If it happens again,to contact them

I have written more software/designed electronics for real time embedded systems, including automotive, than I can remember and I really like this joke because it's so true:

A software engineer, hardware engineer and a project manager are on a
motoring holiday in the Swiss Alps when suddenly the brakes on their
car fail!

They career down the mountain out of control eventually coming to
rest right on the edge of a precipice inches from certain death!

They leap out of the car and the project manager says:
"Right, we must contact the manufacturer and check if this is a
known fault, also we must document the exact details and the state of
the vehicle."

The hardware engineer says:
"No, we must strip down the braking system, check the hydraulic fluid
for water and check the conditions of the brake pads."

The software engineer says:
"Eeemmmmm... let's get back in, carry on and see if it happens
again...."

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Whats the definition of insane ? Hmmm spot on .

cobberdog · Veteran Member

cheers Mike, i should include your joke in my email if you dont mind.

markf · Senior Member

cobberdog wrote:
...... PS- I would have thought an email which has time-date , proof that it was sent etc would be better than a letter.

-- Edited by cobberdog on Sunday 7th of March 2021 11:12:03 AM

-- Edited by cobberdog on Sunday 7th of March 2021 11:13:18 AM

Ah no. With e-mail there is no proof of delivery. Yes, I know that you can request delivery and read receipts but not all e-mail server systems honour the requests.

The absolute best, although not perfect, is a good old fashioned REGISTERED letter. Of course there's no guarantee that someone has opened it and read it but at least you know that it was delivered and, more importantly, you have a paper trail with signatures.

cobberdog · Veteran Member

thanks markf

Craig1 · Guru

Registered is not perfect, in fact I have just received a refund from Aust Post. Sent a small parcel to daughter registered post, talking to her about a week later, oh my parcel was sitting on the letter box! when I got home from work. What, no card to collect, no just left there. So as Aust Post accepted my money to require a signature on delivery, I requested a refund and a reprimand for the postie, duly forthcoming.

But, if you are serious about an issue, a written letter to CEO or Company Secretary is still a good way to go, maybe "Certified".

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Hi,
Just a thought. I had the same thing happen to our 2016 BT50. Turned out that the mechanic that did the service had got the hoses on the fuel filter around the wrong way. (even though they are colour coded). Good luck.
Bob

-- Edited by Brownie2 on Monday 8th of March 2021 03:02:58 PM

cobberdog · Veteran Member

Good thought Brownie2,ive heard about that happening so i did mention that to mazda when i gave the car to them, i hope tha t was checked , the report was INSPECTED FUEL - OK.

Brownie2 · Senior Member

This how the hoses should look. Cheers, Bob

cobberdog · Veteran Member

ill check tomorro ,thanks.

Brownie2 · Senior Member

Have you found anything??

cobberdog · Veteran Member

sorry for late reply. yes fuel hoses are ok. we went to the vic high country for 5 days ( WONNANGATTA area ) and while climbing a series of long steep hills in low 2nd, a warning light appeared for only a second, we pulled over when safe to do so , did a few basic checks ,ALL SEEMED OK, finished a tinnie, started the car up again but could not get into 2nd low only 1st gear . the next day in the hills i could get low 2nd, no light on dash board and all seemed good. calling mazda monday am. here i go again but hoping they may be able to get a reading off computer this time. thinking i should had stayed with a TOYOTA. ( 6 TOYOTAS , 1 NISSAN PATROL AND ONE MITSUBISHI over 46 years and never had to worry about reliability, safety and getting back home.

ps--- i looked up the light in the book transmission problem.

pps--- it said go to mazda center imediatley--- YEAH SURE,

-- Edited by cobberdog on Sunday 14th of March 2021 04:05:22 PM

gooba53 · Guru

Our BT, towing our van went into limp mode going into Marla SA.

Had to wait ages for RACV. Computer diagnostic didnt show the error. Long story but this was the outcome. Not saying it will be as easy for you, but all we had to do was tow in sports mode.

Without looking I cant be 100% where it is, but its in the manual. Not under towing, possibly in transmission.

I hope yours is as easy to remedy.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Can be EGR ? Carbon building up in exhaust ? Mixture of oil through PVC and exhaust through EGR . Sets like concrete in exhaust ports . Especially if vehicle has been driven lightly . Then pushed hard !! Diesels need work to keep clean . Oil separator helps . Its the EPA effecting durability. The frustrating part is diagnosing faults !!

Bicyclecamper · Guru

You might have to give this one back cobberdog.

Radar · Guru

cobberdog wrote:
Hi, hoping to get some help,information please. we were towing our very small ( 13.5 ft ) caravan, all was normal untill we got to a, not very steep hill of which i have driven up many times before , when after approx 300mtrs up,transmission dropped back a gear which seemed normal then a few seconds later we lost all power from the engine, it didnt stall or stop running but would only do around 10 kph. the truck that was behind us had to avoid us and swerved into another lane narrowly avoiding a major collision ( yes, he was too close to us ). The outside temp was about 32deg, the MAZDA has only got 32,000klms on the clock. i took it to our local MAZDA dealer to yesterday and they had today as well , they called me and asked for photos of our caravan as well as the drawbar area, what we carry in our van and they also weighed our bt50 which has all our camping gear recovery gear, bullbar, winch , towbar, etc. The report they gave me today when i picked-up the car CARRIED OUT SYSTEM CHECK = NO CODES SORED IN SYSTEM
TEST DRIVE = OK
INSPECTED FUEL = OK
SUSPECT TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE ENTERED INTO FAIL/SAFE MODE AS A RESULT OF WEIGHT AND HEAT TO PREVENT DAMAGE
NO FAULTS FOUND
I purchased the mazda for its towing capacity new , looked at all mazda promotions on towing ability , big 3.2 ltr engine etc. MAZDA(local dealer) , said they will send the above weights,pictures etc to there specialists to look at. they aslo asked if i had cruise controll engaged as this may cause this type of problem(which i didnt), i dont think i had it in sports mode but checking the manual it states only if long/steep hills.
We are about to leave with the van for a few months away soon and getting a little worried about it happening again in the KIMBERLY OR F/N/QLAND .
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS WITH MAZDA. Happy travells every-ono.

Hi.

In the drivers manual of our 2014 Nissan it reads that when towing the auto transmission should be in "S" mode or manual mode not allowing the auto to shift above 5th out of the 7 gears it has, which is a direct gear

When this come to our attention our car with 110 000 kilometres on it went into limp mode travelling out in the flat country of South Australia, lucky I owned a scan gauge was able to read/delete the code and drive on to area where we had phone service and make phone calls to Nissan where I learnt I was over heating the auto gear oil by the way I drove in "D"mode. Now have done another 35 000 kilometres and the code has not reappeared.

Have since spoke with 2 auto transmission specialists about whether I should have the box looked at and no was the answer. They did also explain why the message would of come up. 2 sensors, one each end of the gearbox, one was running hotter then the other.

The tech expert up start from Nissan gave me a good ear bashing about the way I drove the car in "D" and for not reading the cars hand book. My 46 years of professional driving did not help me this time.

Still very happy with my choice of car for towing our 2750 kgs of caravan.

Hope you have success soon and a easy fix as our's was.

-- Edited by Radar on Wednesday 17th of March 2021 07:54:09 AM

cobberdog · Veteran Member

im still not sure what to do, mazda know about the 2nd time it happened ( in low range 2nd gear )no trailer, 4wding through the high country,but only took notes of what happened. i would have thought i should had been told to take car straight to them or maybe stop driving it. its very unnerving to be doing what the car is built to do in 4WD mode then goes into limp mode going up a long steep slippery track, loss of power and a light flashes on.

kesa32 · Senior Member

Hi Cobberdog , the 6r80 is a good gearbox , the weak link is the torque converters , they're known to overheat sometimes causing oil contamination depending on extent or total failure in worse cases ...... excess heat as everyone knows kills autos , that why you tow in sports mode to reduce slippage in the torque converter , people even add lockup kits to do this too

The other thing in the 6r80 is a little regulation valve that helps with getting the oil up to operating temp quicker ( same idea as your engine cooling thermostat ) ,,,, l have mixed thoughts on this , for one , l think the set operating temp in general for the gearbox is too high , l know the oil can handle that etc , it just seems unnecessary, other boxs run a bit lower operating temps ...... lm not an engineer though so l can't say

That little valve can apparently get stuck if the oil does get contaminated ( as can any of the solenoids for that matter ) , but if it gets stuck shut / partially shut things get nasty ,,,,,, this isn't common , just can happen if your really unlucky

There's delete kits around to get rid of it for those wanting to , l reckon it'd ld do it it if l lived in a hotter climate / full time towed , ld also run a decent aux cooler

As you've hit limp mode a bit maybe get Mazda to check the condition of your oil to make sure it hasnt started to colour up , it won't take them long

Good luck , hope you get it rectified