Everytime I drive the car on a track day, I get a limp mode when I start to drive quickly. (Not sliding and bouncing off berms, just a good pace). The codes are different each day but will repeat after a reset on the same day:

1. Code: "Traction (four five word in between) Implausible" Multiple times in a two day period. I eventually gave up on tracking of the car at that point. Reset at the track by professionals on site with a Porsche code reader.

My solution: change tire size on track wheels

2. Code: "Steering Angle Sensor" two times in one day, and I abandoned the track day. Reset at track by Pros w/Porsche code reader.

My solution: Pay dealer one hour labor ($165.00) to turn the wheels left/right with their code tools attached!

3, Code: "Engine Fault see dealer" It limp moded with this one one time and I left the track and drove to the dealer. Dealer stated limp mode caused be a momentary rich condition on both cylinder banks.

Dealer says: :"Just a spurious event, not to worry"

4. Code: " Traction control" This happened twice in one afternoon. Reset at the track by professionals on site with a Porsche code reader.

My status: Posting to the forums for input. Thanks you.

*Never a problem on the street
*Codes are always able to be cleared w/o a problem by the code reader/reset

I take the car off the track after the second limp mode each occurrence due to the fact that the limp mode activation is a DANGEROUS track event.

The last errors were this weekend, and I have come to the conclusion that there is something really wrong going on here. All the other late model Porsches (including my first 987 Boxster) don't have any of this happening during HPDE driving.

I have tracked extensively over the last 4 years and also spend a lot of time in the right seat instructing.

 

Have you replaced your battery?

You could try buying Durametric, clear the codes and go back out on the track and try to see if the codes are duplicated.

 

battery was replaced about 18 months ago. As stated all codes clear with the code reader.

Multiple different explainable errors are the problem....

 

I understand that they all clear, I just thought I could suggest a way to save your day at the track.

It sounds like to me it is a voltage/ground issue. The multiple fault codes are very common on Touareg's with older batteries. Sounds like the same can happen on a 997

 

I have had great support at the track. I won't go out again until I can find the root problem. When the car goes into limp mode it becomes a track hazard.

I agree that it sounds like a possible power/ground issue. Now to put the dealer in the loop and see what they can find. I still have about 4 months of factory warranty left.

Thanks for your response(s).

 

That's bum luck. I wonder of same problems occur with PASM off? Also what size tires are you running?

 

That is great news that you have warranty, it will make this a lot easier to solve. Good Luck

 

"Obviously" one or more electronic systems are malfunctioning. Can all errors be traced to one of the nanny systems? Or the ECU. Electronics hell.

 

I have no idea if this is at all related (who knows if they use similar components from the same OEM), but I have had to replace the steering angle sensor on both my BMW and Mini. When it was failing it caused all sorts of weirdness in both cars. Replacement of that control unit fixed the issues. Examples of errors I got: anti-lock disabled, stability control warning, start off control disabled, dsc disabled, etc.

This is a well known issue on later model bmw cars... not sure about porsche, but given the SAS is tied to all these systems it seems possibly suspect.

 

Interesting, after picking up a Durametric I also have issue number 2 "Steering Angle Sensor" listed in your post.

I'll be curious to see if the dealer can pin point the cause. The one thing I've noticed that my car is slow to crank when starting. This could be due to me having a bad battery, worn starter, and also having the older style starter cable since my car is an early build 05.

 

Problem occurs whether I am on street or 100 DOT track tires. Tires are all "normal" sizes. PASM off for most all Limp activation's

 

did you get the actual P-codes from the reader and/or look them up to see what are "possible causes and solutions"?

side note: at my last event, an '02 (?) TT was throwing an ABS/PSM error which was activating the ABS at weird times, even while accelerating down the main straight. i read the code (i forget which P- it was exactly) and when i looked up possible causes, it turns out it the was the friggin MAF sensor. ??? why on earth would the MAF trigger ABS??? anyway, he trucked 4hrs each way to/from mid-O to a dealer who had one, installed it trackside, and was able to save his weekend. the point? just making sure you got the exact P codes for all the faults and looked them up. these little gremlins crawl into places you would not even think.

 

Thanks for the post about researching each code.

I thought about having better records of each event for my trip to the dealer next week (Fremont Porsche, Fremont, CA). Unfortunately I don't even have the exact wording for the five different codes.

I am hoping that the tech has some experience with this situation. Responses like yours helps a lot!

 

Problem solved!

Thanks to Alex Ross from the Sharkwerks for solving the long term problem with limp mode. The fix was to replace the MAF.

I ran a Thunderhill today with Hooked On Driving. I pushed the car very hard at times, just waiting for the dreaded limp mode. None! My car ran like a Porsche should on track!

 

unbelievable...it was the MAF again.