Range Rover won’t go over 50 mph: reasons why it won’t

As a mechanic and a Range Rover owner myself, I know how frustrating it can be when your Range Rover won’t go over 50 mph.

Let’s face it, Range Rovers are known for their reliability issues, but that doesn’t mean we can’t fix them.

If a Range Rover won’t exceed 50 mph, it may be in ‘limp mode‘, a safety feature activated due to detected mechanical or electronic problems. Causes could be transmission issues, failing sensors, or engine problems.

In this article, I’ll share my experience with diagnosing and fixing this problem in Range Rovers.

What models are affected?

• Land Rover Defender
• Range Rover Discovery
• Range Rover Evoque
• Range Rover Sport
• Range Rover Velar
• Range Rover Vogue

Signs and symptoms

If your Range Rover won’t go over 50 mph, you’ll notice that it struggles to accelerate and maintain speed. You may also notice a decrease in power and an increase in fuel consumption.

Additionally, the check engine light may come on, indicating that there is a problem.

List of possible OBD codes

When you take your Range Rover to a mechanic, they will likely use an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) scanner to read the codes and identify the problem.

Here are some possible codes that may appear:

• P0087 –Fuel Rail/System Pressure – Too Low
• P068A- ECM/PCM Power Relay De-Energized Performance – Too Early
• P0191- Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
• P0344- Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Intermittent

Common causes

The following are the most common causes of a Range Rover that won’t go over 50 mph:

1. Failed Fuel Pump

The fuel pump may be slowly failing and is not delivering enough fuel to the engine, it will not be able to maintain speed. This is the most common cause of a Range Rover that won’t go over 50 mph.

2. Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter will restrict the flow of air to the engine, which will cause a decrease in power and acceleration.

3. Faulty Camshaft Position Sensor

The camshaft position sensor helps to regulate the fuel injection and ignition timing. If it is not functioning properly, the engine may not have enough power to maintain speed.

4. Failed Thermostat

If the thermostat is stuck open, the engine may not be able to reach its operating temperature, which can cause a decrease in power and acceleration.

5. Clogged Catalytic Converter

If the catalytic converter is clogged, it can restrict the flow of exhaust gases, which can cause a decrease in power and acceleration.

Can it be fixed without a mechanic?

If you’re handy with a wrench, you may be able to fix some of the issues mentioned above. For example, replacing the air filter or the fuel pump may be relatively straightforward.

However, if you’re not familiar with how engines work, it’s best to leave the more complex repairs to a professional mechanic.

Parts you’ll need to fix it

Here’s a list of parts you may need to fix your Range Rover:

• Fuel pump
• Air filter
• Camshaft position sensor
• Thermostat
• Catalytic converter

Tools you’ll need to fix it

Here’s a list of tools you may need to fix your Range Rover:

• OBD scanner
• Socket set
• Wrench set
• Screwdriver set
• Pliers

How to fix it

Assuming you’re comfortable with repairing your Range Rover, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fix it:

1. Use an OBD scanner to check for codes.
2. If the scanner reads any of the codes mentioned above, take note of them.
3. If the fuel pump is failing, replace it.
4. If the air filter is clogged, replace it.
5. If the camshaft position sensor is faulty, replace it.
6. If the thermostat is stuck open, replace it.
7. If the catalytic converter is clogged, replace it.
8. Clear the codes using the OBD scanner.
9. Start the engine and test drive your Range Rover to see if the problem has been fixed.

Potential alternative causes

If the issues mentioned above have been addressed and your Range Rover still won’t go over 50 mph, there may be other causes, such as a transmission or differential issue.

It’s best to take your vehicle to a professional mechanic to properly diagnose and treat the issue.

FAQs

Summary

If your Range Rover won’t go over 50 mph, it’s likely due to a failed fuel pump, clogged air filter, faulty camshaft position sensor, failed thermostat, or clogged catalytic converter.

While some of these issues can be fixed yourself, it’s best to leave the more complex repairs to a professional mechanic. By properly maintaining your vehicle, you can help prevent this issue from occurring in the future.