engine running at reduced efficiency message

[newbiebob]

I picked up an '05 LR-3 demo with 4700 miles on it and on numerous occasions I get a "ding" sound and a message on my screen that says my engine is now working at reduced efficiency. When I come to a stop, the engine idles at high rpm's and upon accelerating the engine really revs in 1st and 2nd gears. I took it back to the dealer today and the technician allegedly ujploaded nw computer software into the computer. However, half way home, ding! Your engine is running at reduced efficiency. Anyopne ever have this problem and if so, was it dealt with successfully?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Airboss]

It sounds like a trip to the dealer is in order. I think that this will be fixed wih a software update.

 

[newbiebob]

Thanks for the reply. I took it in for service re: this issue and they did indeed upload new software; however, the same message came on during the drive home. lWhen this happens, I get very high revs in 1st and 2nd gears (2500-3000rpm) and reduced gas mileage.

 

[Airboss]

Hmmm....

 

[jimbiram]

Last time I had that happen, believe it or not, rats had gotten into my engine compartment at night and chewed up my wiring harness. My LR3 stays outside at night, so they liked the warmth...Cost me $400 to get it fixed.

Be sure they check the wiring contacts around the computer under the hood. Moisture got into my wiring, too, and once they cleaned it out, the gremlims seemed to go away for the most part.

 

[duckdive]

I had a similar problem. It ended up being a faulty sensor for my engine coolant. The
truck thought the coolant level was too low and would limit your speed.

 

[toddjb122]

yup, dealer should be able to hunt that down.

may have been that their first try was to take the easy way out if they saw you needed a computer update...hoping that would take care of it. my dealer does that....if i bring it in a second time they seem to take a lot more time hunting thingis down.

good luck. let us know what they find!

 

[newbiebob]

Thanks Everyone,

Took it back in today and they once again checked the computer. This time they put it in the hads of a mechanic from Bristol, England,who told me that they got some error messages on the computer that they addressed. They re-installed software, drove it 25 miles, and a strange phenomena occurred: my mileage has improved! Previous to this visit, it's never been above 14,2 and it would take forever for it to move up .1 mpg, even doing expressway driving at a constant speed. Going home I was up to 16.8 at times and it actually fluctuated with the type of driving being done. Strange indeed.

 

[BELLROVER]

it sounds like they don't know what they're talking about

dude it sounds like you have a manfunction with one of the engine sensors or readings, the
tune fix for the engine management system was to fix o2 sensor feed back which the pcm was unable to calculate o2 senosr voltages correctley. please write back and let me know what happens

 

[newbiebob]

After picking it up after the most recent visit re: this problem, it occurred four times during an 80 mile round trip excursion. Happened a couple of more times after that and also got a screen telling me that the number of gears available to me/my trans had also been reduced. Anyway, it went back in today and I told them that this has only happened during 90+ degree weather and I got a call a little while back saying that I most likely have a faulty coolant sensor. They'll replace it and keep it over night so that someone can drive it home and back as a check. I hope this is it!