Car gone into limp mode after glow plug light.

[ixReaperrr]

I was driving my Polo 1.6 TDI on the motorway, where the glow plug light came on and my car lost all its power. I turned it off on the hard shoulder and turned it back on and it was normal for a mile of 70mph but then it went into limp mode as i cant get above 2K RPM. Any ideas what could be the problem?

[spartacus68]

Wonder I'd it was similar to by 2010 plate Fabia G42 air intake intake sensor fault? Sensor on 1.6 TDI was located on driver's side, low down. Prone to vibration, broken or chaffed wiring and car going into limp mode.

Near anyone with VCDS software? Will throw up 7308 fault.

[iichel]

Egr
dpf
some sensor
Ruptured turbo hose
Could be anything really

[ixReaperrr]

I’ve had a DPF delete and EGR blanked so I don’t think it could be them. If the turbo is blown, would it be normal for it to drive fine until i go 70mph which would then cause it to go in limp mode? Would using a VCDS machine show the issue because theres currently no light on the dash.

[iichel]

Yes, use VCDS to scan for any DTCs please. These error codes will likely indicate what's wrong with the car.

[CarbonChaos]

Yes, use VCDS to scan for any DTCs please. These error codes will likely indicate what's wrong with the car.

Top man, everything else is guess work.

[iichel]

I'm afraid so. I guess the car also had has a tune to the engine, this can sometimes complicate things even further.

[DylanTheDog]

Hi, Interesting.
I feel for you that it happened Christmas day on the motorway!
My wifes Polo Match 1.4 55KW Registered Mar 2016 has just started doing this as well. First time at junction on A47/A11 16th Dec '19 after about 5 mile journey. She call Roadside assistance who plugged computer into system and the advice was remove filler cap and refit - sadly didn't ask for error code. Sure enough car started and was fit enough to drive home - and behaved perfectly for a week. The driving down on the A11 on 26th Dec, after say 20 miles, light came on, cruised to layby, filler cap off and on and away it went no problem for next 40 miles. Coming back, light on after around 12 miles. Turn engine off and back on (No fuel cap removal) and ran for another mile before light on again. Stop, fuel filler removed and refitted and then drive back further 50 miles with no issue.
And so investigation continues - really interested to hear of any advice that might be around..

[iichel]

Sounds like a vacuum is building up in the fuel tank. Perhaps your evap emission system is failing.

[DylanTheDog]

Tks - Yes vacuum build up is also our suspicion (Although no sound heard when removing fuel filler cap). Just need to understand how the fuel tank is normally vented when engine running.
Good fun - and thanks for the input.

[ixReaperrr]

Hi thanks for all the replies, after getting it checked out it was the turbo actuator which caused it to go into limp mode. After replacing it, it’s as good as new.

[DylanTheDog]

Well done for finding the fault. My wife also found a solution to the issue - she's just been and bought a Skoda Fabia as a replacement vehicle.