Mercedes Sprinter Turbo – Limp Home – Diagnosis and Fault Finding

 
Mercedes Sprinter Turbo – Limp Home (LHM) Diagnostics.

You will probably read a great deal on the internet regarding the issues surrounding your Sprinter lapsing into limp-home mode without showing any EML (Engine Management Warning Lamp).  I have also read these web entries with interest and have concluded that there is a lot of confusion around what exactly is going on so I have decided to add my own input so that hopefully you can sort out this irritating and troublesome issue.

The early Sprinters with vac controlled turbo actuators are quite basic in operation and there are only a few elements to the control loop.  These can all be checked out systematically and the faulty element identified and replaced/repaired.

Let me try and explain in basic terms how the turbo control system works so that you may get a better understanding of what is going on:

VNT Turbo and Vacuum Actuator (sometimes known as a VGT Turbo)

Sprinter Vacuum Boost Actuator

Sprinter Vacuum Boost Actuator

The turbo itself is a Garrett VNT variable vane turbo, the details of which you will find elsewhere on this site. ( http://www.mercedes.gen.in/WP35/diesel-mercedes-sprinter-turbo-rebuild/ ) It is controlled by a vacuum actuator that moves a set of mechanical vanes within the turbo to vary the turbo charge rate – there is no conventional dump valve on these turbos and many times you will wrongly read people refer to it as the ‘dump valve actuator’.   The charge actuator resides bolted to the turbo body on an extended bracket, its push rod connects to a small lever that enters into the turbo body casting, moving a small lever shaped rather like a dog-bone.  This lever engages in an annular ring that in turn interlaces with a set of similar levers attached to each variable vane. A single action of pushing or pulling the actuator rod moves all the vanes inside the turbo in unison, developing more or less turbo charge dependant on its position.  Inspect the external lever that the actuator push rod attaches to, ensure this moves smoothly as you accelerate / rev the engine.  Look for any misalignment of the lever throughout its stroke as it passes through the turbo body, as the bearing surfaces on this shaft can wear or oval allowing the internal lever to ride over the annular ring inside resultantly not moving any of the vanes.  A quick and dirty test to indicate any problems with the variable vanes is to remove the air box or air filter housing and listen as the engine is revved.  Once the engine is started, the vac actuator rod should move down slowly as vac builds, this in turn should apply force to the lever moving the vanes into a fully charged position.  As you rev the engine you should hear a very loud and strong tornado type howl from the air box, if you do not, and the actuator has moved pulling the lever downward there is a chance that the turbo itself is faulty.  Normal operation is as follows.  Stationary engine, rod fully extended, vanes in no charge position. Start engine, rod pulls lever downward slowly, vanes full charge position.  Rev engine, rod moves in and out during the rev cycle, vanes apply variable charge through rev cycle – Audible howl from air box.

Turbo Actuator Electric Vacuum Control Valve

Sprinter Boost Actuator Valve

Sprinter Boost Actuator Valve

If the vacuum actuator is not pulling down once the engine is started check for vac at the pipe, if vac is present, the actuator could be seized or faulty (internal diaphragm split) rectify this.  If you follow the vac pipe back from the turbo you will see that it goes to an actuator that is bracket mounted on the inner wing below the air box at the back of the off side headlamp (UK Vehicles)  This can be pulled upward off its bracket mounting rubber and moved to a better place for visual inspection.  This electrical valve actuator is popularly at fault with the Mercedes Sprinter model and your dealer will have sold hundreds of this item over time.  It has a single two wire electrical plug connected to it and three rubber pipes; in some cases its pipe locations are even marked: IN – OUT – VENT.  Check vac supply to this device observing and rectifying any split or leaking pipework.  Once good vacuum supply has been determined, with the ignition off (no power to the valve and no vacuum present) the route of vacuum should be blocked by the valve to the turbo actuator.  The turbo actuator supply pipe should be vented to atmosphere via the electric control valve to a small filter (looks like in-line fuel filter) mounted above the engine and sitting by the side of the brake servo.

sprinter vacuum diagram

Turning on the ignition places a constant 12v to the electrical controlled vac actuator valve, (This voltage pulses during normal engine operation)  vac should now be routed from actuator valve inlet to the turbo actuator (outlet) and the vent should now be blocked.   Vacuum switching can be verified by using  a hand vac pump (Mytivac or similar) Simply sucking on the pipes will not prove anything, as there is an internally sprung pressure control diaphragm inside the electronic valve so that operation will not occur until sufficient vac is present –  the only thing you will achieve by sucking with your mouth – is a red face!  An old Mercedes engineer once shared that there are two versions of the electric vacuum valve available, one with a blue cap and the other with a black cap, only the matching type should be used as a replacement.  I cannot verify this information as I have only ever seen the black cap type, but best practice would suggest replacing the unit only with the correct version to be 100% on the safe side.

Relevant Service Manual Extract View Here

ECU Control

The ECU control loop circuit is quite simple for turbo actuation.  The electric vac valve is controlled by simply switching the 12v supply on and off by the ECU, this is called PWM or Pulse Width Modulation – it’s easy to test this control voltage is present with a volt meter at the valve electrical plug/connector with ignition on.  If no control voltage is present look for a break in the wiring from the valve to the ECU.  Trace back the wires to the ECU connector and prove continuity exists from the ECU connector to the valve.  Pin outs and wire colours are given in the included diagrams.  There has been commonly reported breaks in the valve supply wiring as it is routed in front of the intercooler behind the grille and also in the area of the near side headlamp where the loom kinks back into the engine bay around the radiator. The wire colours to look for here are white and blue (on my model) but please check the included diagram/chart for correct model notation.

Relevant Service Manual Extract View Here – Wiring Identification at ECU – Turbo Boost

ECU General

Remove the ECU from its slide tray under the passenger dash area beneath the glove box area.  It is quite common for the bulkhead grommet to displace where the main ECU loom is routed to the engine bay allowing water to enter and run down onto the ECU connectors.  Remove all the connector attachments to the ECU and check for pin corrosion, if this exists clean up both the pin and connectors as best you can.  Importantly – reseat the bulkhead grommet.

Charge Pressure Sensor / Intake Air Temperature Sensor

Sprinter Boost Pressure Sensor Location

Sprinter Boost Pressure Sensor Location

There are two sensors in the control loop, a pressure sensor and an air temperature sensor.  They are identified as one having three or sometimes four wires (commonly three) this is the charge pressure sensor. The second is intake air temperature sensor having two wires.  They are both located in the upper section of the intercooler discharge hose, on the near side of the vehicle (UK versions) on the hard moulded plastic section of ductwork before the final supply hose to the inlet manifold, just to the side of the radiator.  The pressure sensor is attached to the housing with two small bolts.  The connections to this device are again simple to understand and test.  One of the three wires is ground, the second is 5v+ve supply and the other connection gives an approximate variable voltage output +0.2v to +5v referenced to ground dependant on charge pressure.  The other sensor (air temperature) is found slightly lower down the plastic section of pipework, this measures charge intake air temperature. This has a two wire connection that is connected across an internal thermistor bead that feeds back a change in resistance value relative to air temperature inside the inlet pipework, the two connected wires are fed through the bulkhead, directly back to the ECU along with those from the pressure sensor.  The temperature sensor should measure between 400 and 500 Kilo-Ohms out of circuit.  In the information given it is possible to plot the output from the charge pressure sensor to give an indication of charge pressure in the system, from this you can derive if it functioning correctly or if to suspect it as faulty.  If you need to measure what is going on in-circuit without disconnecting these components, take a number of drapery pins and push them through the insulation into the conductor cores of the required wires thus allowing you to connect a test meter and take measurements without the need to disconnect or cut any wires.

Relevant Service Manual Extract View Here – Sprinter Boost Pressure Sensor

You can disconnect any of these components without lighting the EML warning lamp as no indication of a fault is given by the removal of any of these components from circuit.  That is why the dreaded turbo limp home fault often occurs without any indication on the dashboard.

Rev Limiter Function

Normally Sprinter engine revs are ECU limited whilst stationary to around 3500 rpm. Depressing the clutch and then further releasing it should now allow revs to increase above this range to the rev limit. If there is a limp home fault, engine revs will not progress above 3000 rpm even when dipping/releasing the clutch when stationary. Once the fault is rectified the rev range and limiter function as described above will return to normal.  It is a good idea to check out both of the necessary brake and clutch pedal position switch sensors (on the pedal box above the clutch and brake) and where possible always get hold of a compatible diagnostic code reader as often faults are stored and not indicated with a EML lamp.

I hope this helps you to better understand the function of the turbo boost circuit on early model Mercedes Sprinters and that it assists you to fault find and rectify any problems you may have.

729 thoughts on “Mercedes Sprinter Turbo – Limp Home – Diagnosis and Fault Finding

  1. I have an RV on a 2007 Ram Sprinter chassis. We hit a large pot hole and on the next hill we lost power. I believe it went into limp mode. I pulled off the highway and revved the engine in neutral and it would only go to 3000. I shut it off and restarted, revved the engine and it went up to high revs. We got back on the highway and all was well for awhile and then again we lost power. If we are in town it seems to run as designed, but soon after we get on the highway it does it again. At one point when idling in traffic something made a ticking noise like signal lights do but no lights visible. (Maybe no connection to the problem). What should I look for before I take it in for a code reading?

    1. Harry,
      There could have been a jolt to the wiring loom as it runs behind the left hand headlamp, this is a common area for it to develop a fault because it kinks back sharply and in some cases causes internal wiring to the boost controller to fracture and become intermittent. Do check the intercooler hoses and make sure you cannot see any signs of oil staining at the joints or side tanks of the intercooler. This would indicate a boost leak.
      Hope that helps
      Steve

      1. Steve;
        Thanks for the reply. I see no oil leaks near the intercooler. All looks well in the harness behind the left headlight but it could be an internal problem. The vacumn holds at 26.5 (70). The plunger above the cooler opens fully with my vac pump at 18 to 20 and holds vacumn. The reason I tested it was because its operation seems to be erratic. It is extended when cold. Sometimes it pulls in when I start the engine, sometimes it doesn’t.
        When in limp mode it is fully extended.
        I had a local country mechanic test the system with his old code reader. He got a PO299 code. I will crawl under it again to check intercooler and hoses for leaks.
        I am 78 years young and we are on SS so I cannot afford any costly repairs. I have been a mechanic all my life so I hope I can solve the problem with everyones help.
        Thanks;
        Harry

  2. My 2015 906 sprinter 2.2 done 26,000 miles DPF filter kept going into regen mode to the point I had to have it forced regen done at Mercades, a week later it was back so I opted for DPF program filter to be removed and filter to be removed. I now don’t get any codes however it goes into limp mode after a short 1/4 of a mile it won’t rev above 2,800 rpm until I switch off remove key and wait for approximately 3 minutes it then does the same again the guy who did I the remap is at his wits end as I am any help please

    1. Phil check the exhaust manifold for leaks especially at the back, if its leaking here it will trip out on underboost. This may have been disturbed when removing the exhaust/cat.
      Regards
      Steve

  3. Your website has become a bible for me. I have a 2000 313 as a campervan which I have owned for about 4yrs and travel to VERY remote places. As with all my vehicles I have a Haines manual. I had problems with limp mode for about the first yr. I would stop switch off for maybe 10 sec start and it would run ok until the next time. Had it in with the ‘experts’ with no cure. Then one day it just cured itself. That in itself is a worry as I don’t know what it was. Another problem I had which I saw coming with harder starting, was the fuel pressure valve O rings. I was only a couple of hours from home so I opened the air filter and gave it a good dose of brake cleaner. It started and I drove home. The third issue was ‘ERROR’ relating to the key lighting up in dash display. the Haines manual says to lock lock and unlock the door with the key, which I did, and its been ok. Hope my dramas are uesful to someone else and thanks for a great informative site.

  4. Thanks for your help with the turbo limp mode this is my problem on and off.
    Do you know if you can fit a engine data scan to 2000 sprinter .Thanks for your help.
    Tony

  5. Steve Ball;
    The problem with my 2007 Sprinter going into limp mode turned out to be a crack in the inter cooler hose.
    Harry Thorn

  6. Is there a way to tweak the cruise control? When I am travelling on an interstate here in SC and GA at 70 MPH and hit a fairly steep hill while on cruise it will drop a few miles per hour before I hit the top. but if I override the cruise and push the pedal down it will hold 70.
    Harry

  7. May be a bit late to the party but here’s my £.02…. 2006, 165000 miles. Losing turbo intermitently. Pulled every sensor connection, cleaned and applied dielectric grease. Found the ground to boost sensor had been compromised as well as on the sensor on coolant reservoir (which shares the same loom). They both had a spot where the insulation was missing. I simply covered them each with electrical tape and gave it a good days test drive. No more drops in boost. In fact, it seems to have more power. I do show signs of oil at many joints. I’m going to clean everything well and keep a weather eye. Thanks for the great write up!

  8. hi steve
    hope you can give me a bit of advice i have a 1996 312d sprinter every now and again as i slow down for a junction or set of lights. the throttle will drop off ignition lights will come on and engine cut out . when i try to restart the engine it starts to chug away and clouds of diesel smoke will pour out of the exhaust. to the point it looks like the james bond car out of goldfinger. took it to a mb van franchise in b,ham told them to give it a oil and filter change told them the problem i am having with it and could thay give it a diognostic.rang them the next day told me it was the injectors thay said thay would take them out send them out for test and possible refurb two days later told me injectors where ok and now poss hp fuel pump problem.if thay could get me one would cost£1600 told them not to take it of as i was going to Ireland in it the next day.said thay would not charge me for the removal and refitment of the pump. got it home not a spanner put on the pump or injectors whent off to Ireland covered aprox 1000 miles there and back problem arose 4 times forgot to say its a camper van thats only done 67,000 miles changed the fuel filter changed all the fuel pipes. put a one way valve in the fue pipe just before the fuel filter.seems to be about 3in of air in a 7in of fuel pipe when not running changed the fuel filter houseing for a mann one no change blanked the egr valve off no change still the van runs like a dream most of the time.but when it happens it looks like its on fire. forgot to say its the 2,9 5 cyl model any info would be much appreciated

    regards
    pete miles

    1. Over fuelling Pete, or not enough air! Worth looking at the air filter first just make sure its not choked. I would look at testing / replacing the turbo actuator, the vacuum device that pulls the turbo vanes on command from the control valve. Also check the vane actuator bar and control valve are working correctly. If either of the above is not working correctly then occasionally the turbo may not be making the required air component for the fuel demand and causing over-fuelling (black smoke) not necessarily too much fuel is being injected – but not enough air for correct balanced combustion.
      Steve

  9. Hi Steve,
    Help please! The Turbo Intercooler coil was blown on my 2011 316CDI sprinter Diesel automatic. It has 180,000k’s already. I’m not sure if due to its age or too much Turbo pressure. I had managed to replace the Intercooler coil already but worried that might blow it again. I hope you can give me some idea please.
    Thanks

    1. I have had the intercooler tanks leak, often the damage is done by vibration or simply age. Often helped along with a front end nudge or light accident along the way. Once replaced should be fine.
      Steve

  10. Hi,
    My 2003 vito 110cdi is faulty again… I drove it 60 miles and after stopping tried restarting after 10 mins and it started then died then key was unresponsive for a few moments although after a few mins became responsive and started in limp mode, after 3 hrs I started again and this time limp mode gone and then drove the 60miles home with no issues and started next day no problem and drove locally although that eve just after leaving a junction it died out EDC light on and again key was unresponsive on first and second attempt although then did crank and start and drove again no issues
    Then this morning key was unresponsive 1st attempt to start although then started and ran fine, I checked for any obvious wiring damage & for air in the fuel pipes to filter although I did notice when engine running a slight sucking noise at top of fuel filter although no air visible in pipes. Any ideas?
    Apologies for the essay and really appreciate your advice.
    Thanks very much
    Regards

    1. Check the starter solenoid/relay it sounds like you have possibly two issues here. Also check the ground and power distribution leads from the battery.
      Steve

  11. hey Guys, ive got a 311 2007 manual, it went into limp mode just before xmas with no eml, i have changed the glow plug relay, glow plugs, EGR valve and turbo,
    it drives fine for about 30-40 mins then jolts into limp mode with eml flashing. its got 131000 miles on it and serviced reg, im also now getting a fault code p0638 and p0228

    any ideas on what this could be?

    Thanks

    Brian

  12. Hi there i have 2008 sprinter this van blow blue smoke with very strong smell and after couple of miles and minutes its stop blowing and get back to normal but when its blowing blue smoke then engine sound slightly changed and its srounding but this van pickup good and also there is no any signs on dashboard i am very confused whats going on how i fix this problem because when its start blowing blue smoke i cant even breathe its kind of burning oil sell but i am checked oil level igs not going down its stays on maximum kindly suggest me what can i do plz

  13. After 2 years of intermittent limp home turbo on my ’52 311, found a dodgy earth to the alternator to be the culprit. Ran additional earth wire to battery from alternator body and cleaned all earth contacts. 2 months now been fine.

  14. Great explanation of how the turbo on my sprinter works. The only sensor that was not mentioned
    is the one that is on the intake side of the turbo near the air cleaner and inline in the tube of the engine breather tube. How do I test this sensor? While I’ve checked all my vacuum hoses and the operation of my vacuum control valve the vehicle starts off fine and then goes into turbo limp mode. I can turn the vehicle off and restart and it gets away fine again for a short while. The intermittent nature of this fault is making it difficult to diagnose. I’ll try changing the vacuum control valve and perhaps the vacuum actuator as they are relatively inexpensive. Do you have any other thoughts?

    1. Hi Wayne,
      That one is not a sensor, that’s a heater element. It prevents the breather pipe freezing water condensate in very cold Arctic temperatures.
      Best
      Steve

  15. Fantastic explanation of operation, from this information traced the fault and repaired Sprinter, saves the must replace MAP/MAF Sensor. Thank You

  16. Hello everyone, just wondering if anyone here could help me. Same old low boost pressure. Sprinter 314, 906 2017, engine 651, inline 4.

    Looks like my variable vanes on turbo do not move when rpm increases. That would explain high exhaust back pressure at high rpm , 3500hPa.

    The vacuum lines are ok. The vanes move into position when I start the engine and stay there all the time, regardless of the rpm. I even attached a camera and drove, the vanes didn’t move. They only move when I start and stop the engine.

    The turbo switch (transducer) receives the signal. 12v at idle than gradually drops to 4.5v at 3000rpm but the vanes are not moving. I have replaced the turbo switch and it’s still the same.

    When at high revs I can pull the linkage with my hand into open position where it should be but it still returns back to closed.

    When at low revs I can’t pull it as vacuum is holding it.

    The spring and the diaphragm are ok. It seems to me that the signal to the transducer is not correct, not dropping voltage enough or frequency modulation is not correct. There seem to be no vane position sensor. Could be another sensor somewhere not working properly perhaps.

    Please advise, thanks very much.

  17. Hello!

    I have a 2005 T1N Sprinter. I’m intermittently getting error code 2526-1 and 2526-2 ‘Component Y100 (Boost Pressure regulator) is faulty. Short circuit to ground(2)/battery(1).’

    It throws the Sprinter into limp mode. If I erase the code, I get my boost pressure back until it happens again.

    I cannot find this part or information on how to diagnosis this error. It seems electrical. I suspect a dealership or mechanic will want to replace the entire turbo, so I’m trying to get information on other things to try.

    Thank you.

  18. I BOUGHT A SPRINTER RV WITH 29K ON IT IT RAN FINE FOR A FEW THOUSAND MILES I WAS IN BAJA MEXICO HEADING TO SAN DIEGO AND LOST POWER I LIMPED INTO GREGRO NEGRO ABOUT 470 MILES FROM SAN DIEGO STOPED AT A LARGE REPAIR SHOP AFTER CHECKING SAID THEY NEEDED $6000.00 DLLS AND WOULD ORDER PARTS NEEDED IT WOULD TAKE TEN DAYS TO TWO WEEKS AND I WOULD BE ON MY WAY I’M 85 YRS OLD ON SS I LEFT AND FOUND A DIESEL MECH WORKED FOR CITY HE GOT IT RUNNING SAID TAKE IT TO A DEALER WHEN IN SAN DIEGO THE DEALER CHECKED IT OUT COST $1400’00 DLLS HEADED BACK TO BAJA MEXICO AFTER A SHORT TIME IT STARTED LIMPING AGAIN IT HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST 20000 MILES I CALLED MAIN COMPANY IN U S ALL THEY SAY IS TAKE IT TO A DEALER PERIOD! EACH TIME IT SETS TIL I HAVE THE MONIES TO TAKE IT TO MERCEDES IN CABO SAN LUCAS 70 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE IN BUENA VISTA NEVER IN MY 85 YEARS HAVE I HAD A VEHICLE THAT IS JUST ONE ON GOING PROBLEM AND SUCH A WORRY BAJA MEXICO HAS MANY MOUNTIANS I WOULD APPERICATE ANY HELP NO FUN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY WORRYING THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS STORY AND MAYBE SOME ADVICE

    1. Hi Robert, sorry to hear your troubles. My suggestion would be to purchase a diagnostic reader you can simply plug into the diagnostic socket on the van and have a look yourself what codes are shown. This will enable you go talk to your tech with some info. It’s not complicated and for a small investment it could be to your advantage.
      All the best
      Steve

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