GL320 Limp mode, but no code?

If it matters... it was 12*F this morning. But I did let the engine run for about 7 or 8 minutes in the driveway before taking off.
I have a warranty through the Indy that I bought the truck at and they're very good. But the "no code" thing has me perplexed and was just curious?
Last edited by DennisG01; Jul 2, 2022 at 10:12 PM.






It's definitely not "starving" for fuel because of a blockage, but I understand why you asked that. The engine runs perfectly fine (sound and "seat of the pants", anyways), other than an obviously "computer limited" lack of power. I'm positive it's in a "limp/safe" mode type thing.
Thanks, ALX. I'll get the car in to the Indy soon.
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Wondering outloud... If something was wrong with the pipe between the turbo and IC (or a seal at either end)... wouldn't I hear different sounds coming from the engine/turbo? Meaning, wouldn't I hear a whooshing sound as the air escaped? On my diesel Suburban, the engine was built up and I put a much larger turbo on it (along with adding an IC, which it never had from factory!). Problem was that the clamps (until I got better ones) weren't up to the task of keeping the silicone hoses on the pipes and if they popped up the noise was very noticeable.
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However, the engine hunted for RPM's (about a 200RPM swing, around the 1,000RPM mark) while it warmed up. And then, on the way to work, I had full power and it ran normally. I'm still dropping it off later today at the Indy, though.

I dropped it off last night and they did a quick scan. No idea what the P1240 or P1214 is/was - couldn't find that anywhere. I'm positive about the P12 part, but only about 90% sure on the last two numbers. But here's what their scanner showed. I typically try and avoid short runs with the vehicle - most of my trips are at least 20 minutes long. Maybe something is clogged up? Maybe just a faulty sensor? In my '98 Suburban (diesel), I eliminated the cat/soot trap all together.........


Question... Does my engine ever perform a "regen cycle"? I do NOT have the AdBlue/BlueTec setup, if that matters? I've tried googling, but it seems confusing.


So, in my truck it uses extra fuel for a regen, whereas the newer ones use urea?Just out of curiosity, have you seen any type of trend (miles) as to when the DPF starts to get clogged (beyond what a regen can handle)? Or does the regen process work pretty well? Have you heard of people sending them out to be "baked"?
Last edited by DennisG01; Dec 22, 2016 at 11:20 AM. Reason: more info/clarification

I'd be tempted to just knock out the "filter material" inside the DPF the way I did with my Suburban (although it was all relatively clear with no regen program/sensor and about 100,000 miles on it at the time). But I don't know how (or if) the DPF sensor can be tricked... or even if it needs to be. And I don't want to be a guinea pig when it comes to programming the DPF out of the mix.
Last edited by DennisG01; Dec 22, 2016 at 11:53 AM.

This picture of their scantool screen was taken while I was there, picking up the vehicle after it was fixed as the tech wanted to show the process they went through.

It was cold again this morning (car stays outside) at 18*F. I experienced the same Limp mode as before. I kept driving it and after about 20 minutes I stopped and shut the engine off/on three times within about a minute. Made no difference.
I then drove another 10 minutes and turned the engine off long enough to go into Dunkin Donuts to get a coffee and back out. I started the engine back up and checked for codes (through OBDII with my little scanner) and got a "pending" code of P1402. I did NOT clear it. I then started driving and everything was back to normal.
P1402 (according to Google, anyways) comes back as an EGR issue (most likely this was the code I reference above, but did not remember it correctly). However, this is not through STAR and I also know that experience often trumps what a code/scanner may say.
But...
-- Could the cold weather be affecting the EGR and once the engine warms up everything returns to normal? Can the EGR be cleaned?
-- Or, is the most likely culprit still the DPF sensor?
FYI, no CEL popping up, yet.



