How To Get Your Jeep Out Of Limp Mode 

Your Jeep might be one of the most rugged vehicles out there. It’s got the DNA to traverse the most challenging terrains imaginable. Additionally, thanks to a bevy of reliable and robust engines, you ride with the confidence of knowing that you can go anywhere until you can’t. When your Jeep enters “limp mode,” it can be frustrating. But, with just enough power, it’ll inch slowly to get you to a safe destination, and that’s about it. 

How to bypass limp mode in a Jeep?

Limp mode engages in your Jeep when it senses damage. You can get around this by turning your car off and back on again to restart the computer and hopefully get out of limp mode. If that doesn’t work, disconnecting the car’s battery should work. However, your Jeep is probably damaged and needs repairs.

It might sound a bit stubborn but remember that limp mode happens because the ECU senses that your vehicle has significant damage. It might be something you can’t see, so it’s best to tow it to a repair shop. 

If you must drive your Jeep out of where you are, you can try to bypass limp mode at your own risk. Here are some steps you can take. 

Check all fluids

Check your Jeep’s fluids, including brake and transmission. If there’s a leak, the vehicle’s ECU might activate limp mode to prevent damage. So, topping off fluids is vital. It’s always best to do this at a level. 

Turn off your vehicle and start it again

If you’ve checked fluids and verified that there are no visible damages, you can turn off your Jeep and start it again. This could reset the computer and clear the limp mode. 

Wiping out the ECU

A last-ditch effort is to disconnect the battery for more than thirty seconds. This will clear out the computer and delete the limp mode.

Keep in mind that if you haven’t found the flaw, it won’t fix it. So, it’s only for those desperate situations where you must get to a safe place and fast. 

So, what is “limp mode”? Plus, why has it caused your vehicle to turn into a tortoise on the highway? This feature is one of the main characteristics of Jeeps, and it exists for critical reasons. 

However, it can become a nuisance, so many people turn to the internet to learn how to get a Jeep out of limp mode. This article will answer many more questions regarding this fascinating topic. 

What is the limp mode in a Jeep?

As its name suggests, the limp mode is how the vehicle’s computer nurtures it back home. Some brands can also name it “limp home mode” or “safe mode.” It activates once your Jeep detects something wrong with the vehicle. 

However, it can still operate under certain conditions to drive back home. So, how does it occur?

In a Jeep, limp mode happens when the onboard diagnostics (OBD) senses a significant fault. Then, the OBD will do everything possible to save the transmission and engine in mere seconds. To do this, it will switch off anything that’s not essential. 

For example, some vehicles might include A/C, infotainment systems, and other features such as heated seats. 

Under limp mode, your Jeep will move at a slower speed. After all, it has just enough power to move about, which is vital for you to keep in mind. As we’ll see later, the limp mode can happen in many situations, some of which might require extra power. 

For example, if limp mode activates during a challenging offroading session, you might find yourself stuck. So, understanding how and when it comes up is essential for you and your vehicle’s safety. 

When does limp mode activate?

One of the most interesting things about the limp mode in a Jeep is that you usually won’t see a warning light telling you it has activated. Instead, you will realize that it’s happening because of several symptoms, which can be the following:

• Your vehicle doesn’t go past 30 mph to 45 mph. If you step on the gas and your Jeep doesn’t respond as quickly as it should, then it’s in limp mode. In this case, as long as you can have some power to the wheels, your vehicle will be able to reach a safe destination. 
• Your Jeep doesn’t shift into high gears or low range. In this case, the ECU wants to protect the transmission and transfer case, so it has activated limp mode. This is another situation in which it will give the bare essentials to drive to the nearest safe point. As we had mentioned before, if this happens when you’re offroading, you will probably need some help. 
• Your accelerator doesn’t respond as it used to. This is because the limp mode works hard to regulate the RPMs so that vital components within the engine don’t suffer damage. Chances are that your computer has sensed something is failing, but that’s not the only reason. Sometimes, limp mode activates because it has detected a physical problem, such as a damaged cable or worn-out components. 
• Warning lights: while there are no specific “limp mode” warning lights, you should be on the lookout for such warning signs as “check engine” or any other lights that have turned on. 

So, now that we’ve seen what limp mode is and how it can present itself within the vehicle, it’s essential to understand what to do once it happens.

First, remember that your Jeep might be hurting, so don’t rush, and most importantly, don’t go offroading. Yes, it’s a Jeep, but it needs some care before diving back into the wild. 

What to do when limp mode activates?

Let’s say your Jeep is in limp mode. The first thing you need to do is assess your surroundings. A lot depends on whether you’re offroading or in urban conditions. So, understanding where you are is vital. 

Once you’ve confirmed that you can drive and will not put yourself or others in harm, you can go to the nearest service station or a local repair shop. 

Ideally, however, you should tow your vehicle to reduce the risk of damage. 

If you’re offroading, the first thing to do is get your vehicle out of where you are. If limp mode is activated while offroading, your Jeep has suffered damage. If this is the case, you should not drive it but tow it. 

Then, get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible so that you can sort out the root cause of the limp mode. 

As a last resort, you can bypass the limp mode if you must do it. If you’re considering doing this, keep in mind that limp mode happens because the computer senses something is damaged. Therefore, overriding it could end up damaging your Jeep even more. 

Closing statements

Jeeps are rugged vehicles that will see challenging terrain. That’s why engineers at Jeep created the limp mode. 

It’s the computer telling you that something is wrong with your car. So, if it appears, it’s a vital sign. Please do not ignore it and tend to your vehicle. 

When limp mode activates, the best thing is to have your vehicle towed to the nearest repair shop. If you can drive there, use the slow lane, as your Jeep might not accelerate as it usually does. 

There are ways to bypass limp mode, but they’re a last-ditch effort to get your Jeep going. If you need to do so, understand that it’s at your own risk, and you could potentially damage vital components within your vehicle, such as the engine and transmission. 

After all, there are plenty of sensors that you can’t see, and your computer does, so ignoring them can generate a hefty bill. Nevertheless, Jeep’s limp mode is a great way to keep your vehicle safe, and yes, it can be a nuisance, but in the end, it’s there to protect your car, and that’s priceless.