Vehicles, especially electric ones, are designed with certain safety features to protect the car, the driver, and the battery from grave risk or damage. One of them is a electric cars’ protective feature known as Limp Mode, a fail-safe system designed to restrict vehicle performance to only the essential functions if a fault in the system is detected.

For instance, if your EV suddenly loses power, becomes intensely unresponsive, or seems to be stuck at a certain speed, Limp Mode could be the reason. While this failsafe is comprised to prevent further damage, at times it can be aggravating especially if the car enters Limp Mode when driving.

In this article, we’ll cover:

✅ The Explanation of Limp Mode features and why they occur.

✅ Guide to properly diagnosing Limp Mode in an EV.

✅ THE groundwork approach on how to fix Limp Mode at home.

✅ Curing further cases of disabling electric vehicle’s limp mode.

By the end of this essay, you should determine how to fix an EV that’s stuck in limp mode and ensure that your car remains at the best of its performance.

1. What is Lim Mode in an Electric Vehicle?

Limp Mode (Also referred to as “Reduced Power Mode”) is a safety feature embedded in electric vehicles that limits performance to maximize safety when the system detects a problem.

It lets you reduce speed to avoid further worsening of the situation by reaching a location or service center.

Limp Mode: How to Identify It While Driving an EV

🚗 Extreme reduction of motor performance output – The car wouldn’t be able to pull away fast enough.

⚠️ Dashboard warning indicators – Possible check engine, battery, or drivetrain warnings.

🐢 Reduction of operating speed – The speedometer might be capped at 20-40 mph.

🔋 Issues with management of energy or temperature – Possible Battery overheating, or losing energy efficiency.

🔌 Power source problems – The car just doesn’t want to receive power normally.

If you face any combination of these problems, your EV is likely to be in Limp Mode and troubleshooting is required.

 2. Reasons that an EV Enters Limp Mode

Numerous defects and dysfunctions can result in Limp Mode being activated in an EV. The main ones include:

🔋 Issues Related To Battery Power Supply

✅ Overheating battery – Excessive heat will force the EV to have limited power.

✅ Battery management system (BMS) problems – Glitches can cause the software to turn on Limp Mode.

✅ 12V battery is low, or bad – Weak 12V battery means the EV subsystems won’t operate.

🛠️ Malfunctions in Charging or Power Management Systems

• Malfunctions in the EV charging system: An error in charging can cause the EV to go into a so-called charging savior mode.
• Malfunctions in the high voltage system: These include errors in the connecting wires or in the DC to DC converter.

💻 Software Failures or Sensor Issues

Why Does Electric Car Go in Limb Mode

• Electric motor overheats: This is also called an overheating electric motor. In such a condition the car will try to dial down power to avoid motor damage.
• Electric or power electronic failure: This type of failure causes the inverter to lose the power needed for its operation.

Other Glitches in the System

• Random glitches on the firmware or software level: In the EV’s operating system, bugs in the firmware or software may cause limp mode activation.

Now that you know what could possibly lead to limp mode, let us now work through step by step on how to actually fix this issue.

3. Stuck in Limp Mode? Here’s How to Fix It: Step by Step

If your electric vehicle is stuck in limp mode, follow these procedures to restore system performance.

Step 1: Pull Over and Restart the Car

🛠️ Solution: Sometimes a restart of the electronic system in the car allows it to exit from the limp mode.

LIMP is an acronym that stands for:

Low Power and Minimal Functionality

Electric Vehicles are the result of modern technological advancements powered from lithium or other battery’s, with only two active controls separated in one functional device through an ECU which allows regulating power going into the electric motors that propell the EV.

1️⃣ Look for a secure parking space.

2️⃣ Completely power down the car.

3️⃣ Be patient for five to ten minutes.

4️⃣ Try to restart the EV and see if it is out of the Limp Mode.

💡 Rationale: Most cases of Limp Mode activation are the result of temporary sensor malfunctions or software errors that can be fixed with a system reboot.

Step 2: Look For Warning Signs & Error Messages

🛠️ Quick Fix: Check the vehicle computer system codes using the OBD II scanner for codes tied to Limp Mode.

1️⃣ Get an OBD II scanner and plug it on the diagnostic port of the EV.

2️⃣ Scan the device and search for error messages – (refer to the owner’s guide for the meaning of the codes).

3️⃣ Check and note any concerns that may stem from the battery, inverter or the sensors.

4️⃣ Delete the error codes (in case the issue was transitory).

💡 Explanation: It is possible that some errors are kept in the memory of the ECU and removing the error code is what enables the vehicle to go back from Limp Mode.

Step 3: Check The 12V Battery

🛠️ Quick Fix: The cause of the Limp Mode can be a defective or drained 12V battery.

1️⃣ Power off the vehicle and access the 12V battery.

2️⃣ Measure the voltage of the battery (it must be 12.6V and above when full).

3️⃣ If the battery reads lower, try jump starting it to check whether the Limp Mode goes away.

4️⃣ If the battery is old (3+ years), replace it.

💡 Why This Works: Numerous electric vehicles utilize the 12V battery to power critical systems. If it isn’t operational, the automobile risks limiting power to protect itself.

Step 4: Let the Battery & Motor Cool Down

🛠️ Quick Fix: If your EV’s battery or motor are experiencing great heat, allow them to cool off.

1️⃣ Park in a shaded area or garage.

2️⃣ Turn off the car and allow it to rest for no less than 30 minutes.

3️⃣ Check to see if Limp Monitor has disappeared after a restart.

💡 Why This Works: EVs reduce power output when the levels engage with overheating to avoid damaging battery and stir motor.

Step 5: Check Charging & High Voltage Systems

🛠️ Quick Fix: If the vehicle goes to Limp Mode and it is always after charging, there is a suspicion that the fault lies with the charging system.

1️⃣ Use another charger and check if the situation changes.

2️⃣ Look for loose charging connections in the charging port.

3️⃣ Check for error codes related to non-finished charging.

💡 Why This Works: A break in the circuit within low power chargers or high voltage issues would normally demand the system to be reset before the power is released.

Step 6: Wipe User Data

🛠️ Quick Fix: Return your EV to original state by deleting all settings and data you have saved and it should remove the software bug that is causing Limp Mode.

1. Resetting Vehicle Systems

1️⃣ Access the infotainment screen.

2️⃣ Look for the “Factory Reset” or “System Reset” choice.”

3️⃣ Follow through with the reset option and allow the system to reboot.

4️⃣ Turn of the car then check if the LIMP mode feature has been removed.

💡 Note: In some cases, a system reset may resolve some software related Limp Mode retaliations.

4. Future Prevention of Limp Mode Activation

✔️ Take Care of the Battery and Cooling System – Stay away from environments with extreme heat or cold. We’re talking about fry an egg on the asphalt hot or too cold.

✔️ Don’t Forget to Update your EV Software – A firmware update will ‘bug fix’ the features that activate limp function mode.

✔️ Take note of the 12V battery – To avoid diminutive power problems, change it every 3-5 years.

✔️ A Quality Charger is a Good Investment – Please refrain from using poor and substandard slow or broken fine chargers.

Addressing these proactive strategies will help mitigate the chances of experiencing the Limp Mode issue and provide better overall EV regulation and use.

Final Words: Remove Your EV from Limp Mode Function in a Short Period of Time

Dealing with the LIMP MODE on an EV can flatout be a pain, but generally it’s a solves itself with half a brain- home based wizardry style troubleshooting.

🔹 Fast Overview:

✅ Reboot your EV – Sometimes doing nothing can solve something.

✅ Check the 12V battery – An aged inactive battery might be a culprit of hindering ‘limp mode’.

Tips to Avoid EV Limp Mode

✅ Cool down the battery & motor – Remember to cool down after riding, the motor and battery can heat burn out the power if left unattended.

✅ Use an OBD-II scanner – Check error codes and fix them.

✅ Perform a factory reset – Remove any unneeded errors within the software.

Have you experienced limp mode with your EV? Let us know in the comments.