Bongo Fury

Hi

We were on day 1 of a 3 week European road trip yesterday when after about 3 hours driving the warning light on the dash came on and the Bongo entered limp mode. We managed to make it the final 30 miles to our campground but now have to decide what to do next. I'm no mechanic but we do have European breakdown cover though if I call someone they are going to be unfamiliar with Bongos. Is there anything specific they should look for or do we need to think about heading home? The Bongo is a 2000 diesel and the light is just a steady on/off flash.

Thanks a lot

Alan

Alan2016 wrote:Hi

We were on day 1 of a 3 week European road trip yesterday when after about 3 hours driving the warning light on the dash came on and the Bongo entered limp mode. We managed to make it the final 30 miles to our campground but now have to decide what to do next. I'm no mechanic but we do have European breakdown cover though if I call someone they are going to be unfamiliar with Bongos. Is there anything specific they should look for or do we need to think about heading home? The Bongo is a 2000 diesel and the light is just a steady on/off flash.

Thanks a lot

Alan

Hi Alan, sorry to hear your news. Which light is flashing? I'm not sure the Bongo has a classic 'limp' mode (i dont think my 1995 2.5td does though the 2000 model might have if its got the later fly-by-wire technology) but hopefully a techie on here will be able to advise. Who is your UK Bongo garage/specialist as it might be worth a call to them also for advice?

Alan,

We have a year 2000, 2.5 diesel and "Limp Mode" has happened twice to us.

First time was due to the auto gear box being overfilled on a service a couple of days before we set off. It went into limp (wouldn't rev above 15/1600 and just chugged along at its own speed in 3rd) with "Hold" light flashing about an hour into our journey. Luckily we were near enough the service bay to go back and they drained the excess. No problem after that.

Second time, about 3 years later, was down to a dirty gear box filter. That's when I had the auto box sump drilled and a drain plug fitted, so the ATF could be drained cleanly, the filter removed and degunged on each fluid change.

The first thing I would check is the ATF levels and possibly get a garage to do a fluid change, including cleaning the mesh filter in the box if possible.

Hope this helps and you get back on the road ASP.

Regards,

Peter

go to the local accessory shop and get some turbo/egr cleaner, remove the 3 inch pipes to either side of the turbo and squirt in the decarbon spray, the blades on the turbo may be sticking with the carbon. or the egr may be stuck in position, so the switch on top flags a fault to the ecu. give it a clout sometimes helps.

this stuff.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STP-Professio ... SwNRdX86FM

Thanks for the tips all. It is the glow plug coil light that is flashing. This is the first long drive since we had a service done a few weeks ago. We made about 300 km before the issue kicked in. I'll see if i can dig out the handbook and work out how to check the AFT level. Not sure I'm game to try removing the turbo pipes myself but might be a suggestion if I have to get a mechanic out. Am I likely to do damage if I try taking it for a short drive tomorrow?

Alan,

< ..... how to check the AFT level. .... >

The ATF dipstick is under the RHS (GB driver's side) seat. It's towards the back of the engine, with a yellow cap. (Mine has anyway )

Pull it out, it's quite long, and on the end there should be 2 marks. For a quick check. With the engine running and up to temperature, engage the gears (drive, neutral, drive park etc. etc) a few times, then check the ATF level which should be on the mark closest the end.
(I say quick check as a complete one should be done with the gearbox in gear, wheels chocked and brakes fully on. A little dodgy if you're on your own.)

The fluid should be a light-reddish colour, with no, or minimal, smell to it. If it is dark red/brown/black and/or smells like burnt toast, it should be changed.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Peter

Alan2016 wrote:Thanks for the tips all. It is the glow plug coil light that is flashing. This is the first long drive since we had a service done a few weeks ago. We made about 300 km before the issue kicked in. I'll see if i can dig out the handbook and work out how to check the AFT level. Not sure I'm game to try removing the turbo pipes myself but might be a suggestion if I have to get a mechanic out. Am I likely to do damage if I try taking it for a short drive tomorrow?

Normally that would flag an engine/sensor/component fault,it would be worthwhile taking your vehicle to a Diagnostic centre/garage/person.


Good Luck.

rita wrote:

Alan2016 wrote:Thanks for the tips all. It is the glow plug coil light that is flashing. This is the first long drive since we had a service done a few weeks ago. We made about 300 km before the issue kicked in. I'll see if i can dig out the handbook and work out how to check the AFT level. Not sure I'm game to try removing the turbo pipes myself but might be a suggestion if I have to get a mechanic out. Am I likely to do damage if I try taking it for a short drive tomorrow?

Normally that would flag an engine/sensor/component fault,it would be worthwhile taking your vehicle to a Diagnostic centre/garage/person.


Good Luck.

Indeed. I wonder if it might be possible to reset the ECU to make limp mode go away if only temporarily. That might help rule in/out possible causes?

Thanks for the instructions! The fluid level seems to be ok. Took it for a spin yesterday; 50k out with a stop for a couple of hours then 50k back. No warning light or limp mode. Might risk a longer drive today and see how it goes. We were down to 1/4 tank of diesel when limp mode kicked in on some pretty steep hills, could that have introduced dirt into the system and caused the problem?

variable vane turbo vanes sticking or not operating correctly when it works hard.

this vid shows how they work, and what to check before you pull it apart. diy clean is easy enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppif4qC560U