2010 Cutting out / Limping in Traffic (P0136)

Hi Everyone!

So my daughter has a great low mileage C3 1.1 from 2010 that has been trouble free for the last few years.

Recently though it start playing up after being in heavy stop / start traffic for a while.

Symptoms are it won't rev - like it is in limp mode.

However after turning it off (even for a few seconds) and re-starting it , it will be fine for a while but generally for shorter and shorter periods - and it has refused to start.

So not great for her at all

However after a longer period to cool down it will be fine to do long journeys with no issues - when there is no traffic.

So perhaps some electrical component is acting up as it get too hot?

I have put Lexia on it and the only fault recorded is a downstream O2 Sensor fault (P0136) - but that last occurred 400 miles ago according to the fault journal.

So that is probably not relevant.

There are no other faults recorded for the last 10,000 miles.

So any suggestions for a component that acts up when it gets hot but doesn't record a fault?

Many thanks Ian / Lily

P1306

Hi

Can you screenshot lexia to show the error and its description (instructions here)

Hi Arfur,

Sorry had a typo in the earlier message it was a P0136 (not a P1306) the exact text was "Downstream Oxygen Sensor Signal Fault".

Car is 30 minutes away so can't do a screenshot at the moment.

Thanks
Ian

imilner wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 4:07 pm Hi Arfur,

Sorry had a typo in the earlier message it was a P0136 (not a P1306) the exact text was "Downstream Oxygen Sensor Signal Fault".

Car is 30 minutes away so can't do a screenshot at the moment.

Thanks
Ian

Hi

Thanks for correcting the error. I have edited the title and OP text to reflect the correct code.

I asked for a screenshot because of a possible error in the information you had provided.

Do you think a "Downstream Oxygen Sensor Signal Fault" would not put the engine into limp mode as a environmental pollution reduction scheme?

I would focus on the P0136, clear it, then drive the car until it faults again. Then read for new codes and particularly if P0136 returns.

Hi Arfur,

I imagine the O2 Sensor being faulty could put it into limp mode.

But it was listed as a temporary fault and was last logged 400 miles ago so didn't seem that relevant.

I have cleared the fault - so will be going back - probably tomorrow to check on things.

Thanks
Ian

Hello

There are no other faults recorded for the last 10,000 miles.

So any suggestions for a component that acts up when it gets hot but doesn't record a fault?

Many thanks Ian / Lily

The only one I can think of right now that could fit is the fuel/air vent. You can remove the fuel cap and listen for air being drawn in because the valve isn't working and I won't equalises the pressure in the tank with the outside air.

It not that it hot, but that it's done enough miles to create enough pressure difference that fuel won't flow sufficiently from the tank.

Any problems with the downstream O2 sensor will bring on the check engine light and a depolution fault on the central display. But that' s all. it wont put the engine into limp mode.
If the engine ECU puts the engine in to limp mode, for any reason, that will flag an error code. So if there is no error code then the engine ECU is not putting the engine into limp mode. There is most likely an external, mechanical, fault.
C3driveer52's idea has merit (I don't have any ideas myself). You could just leave the petrol cap off and see what happens.