Kangaroo car

[Zulu4]

I was having fun booting the accelerator, when suddenly the car went into a rough limp mode with the EML light on. As I slowed to pull onto the verge the car was jumping like a kangaroo (automatic gearbox in Drive). I had to switch the engine off quickly.

I gathered my thoughts and restarted the engine, which then ran completely normally.

There may have been other lights apart from the EML, but I was so surprised at what was happening I may not have noticed.
When I got home, I scanned the car for faults. This is the first time I had done this as I've just got to grips with INPA. There were quite a few faults in the memory, the main ones were:
DSC_85: 5E19
MSV70: 2A99 2CFA 2D09 2A98

Searching the internet, these seem to point to VANOS and Throttle Body errors.

I have cleared the codes and I'll check again after another spirited drive, but my question is:
Has anyone else experienced this very rough limp mode, and is it likely to be the VANOS solenoid (Inlet) that could have caused it ?

Any help/info will be gratefully received.

 

[Jfgoldfish]

I experienced the same symptoms and similar codes, although on a 2 litre engine. The cause was a faulty crimped connection at the throttle body.
The 5e19 code usually relates to a data bus error, specifically, between the throttle body and DME.

It was a bugger to track down. You might need to crack out the wiring diagrams and start de-pinning connectors, unfortunately.

 

[Zulu4]

I experienced the same symptoms and similar codes, although on a 2 litre engine. The cause was a faulty crimped connection at the throttle body.
The 5e19 code usually relates to a data bus error, specifically, between the throttle body and DME.

It was a bugger to track down. You might need to crack out the wiring diagrams and start de-pinning connectors, unfortunately.

Thanks very much for the tips.

Forgot to mention that when the fault happened, I had turned the DSC off a few seconds before (single press).

I went for another drive and the car behaved normally. I scanned it when I got back and there were no error codes. I'll keep my fingers crossed it was just a glitch.

Just hope it never happens on a so-called "smart" motorway :x

 

[Zulu4]

Some of the error codes came back and again pointed towards an inlet camshaft problem. The EML came on for a bit. (Although no rough limp mode).

Had the VANOS solenoids changed under the used car warranty (surprisingly they paid out without too much fuss) and the fault codes have gone, for now.

I think the erratic idle had made the car 'kangaroo' as, unlike with a manual gearbox, I couldn't quickly put the clutch in which would be the natural driver's reaction. If it ever happens again, I'll try to put it into neutral.