Check engine light during "spirited driving"

[VBhak]

Hey all!

Need this group's help!!

A month back, during multiple "spirited driving" runs on freeways in 'Mexico', I would lose power, the check engine light would flash, and I would also get a warning that the eLSD had disengaged, During these SAME runs, I put the car in cruise control for 1 or 2 miles because of the lights, and the check engine light would go off, and the eLSD engages again. Return to spirited driving was a mixed bag of check engine light vs not.

At first I thought it was because I was doing runs in MyMode. I did the same runs in Track and Sport without issue. I did take the vehicle to the dealer (V-certified technician), who ran the computer and said everything came back fine. Interestingly, he told me GM has specific timings for the engine in track and sport mode, and likely what might have happened is the car didn't know what to do because I was in MyMode,

Today, I had the car again in freeways in Mexico, AND in track mode. Had the same issue occur when at full throttle. I put the car in Tour mode, cruised until the check engine light went off, went back into track mode, and instead of open full throttle, I did a gradual increase in speed with no issues with speeds > 130 mph.

Something doesn't seem right. Could it be the Mexican/Arizona heat? (105-112 degrees currently). Any other thoughts?

 

[F1Scamp]

If the check engine light is flashing it means it is seeing misfires. Could be a multitude of reasons why it is misfiring, but you could be doing serious damage to the motor. I would suggest not beating on it further until it's figured out.

 

[Merlette]

I did take the vehicle to the dealer (V-certified technician), who ran the computer and said everything came back fine.

This seems odd. If CELs were thrown, they should have been logged persistently. If it happens again, your local Auto Zone or equivalent should be able to read them out to you with a scanner, so you’ll at least have them for the record. Good luck, hope it’s nothing serious.

 

[DCV]

Hmmm…. Might want to datalog it while you do these types of runs. Or try to get some race gas. Could be detonating due to the heat and timing.

 

[bloominguez]

Looks like GM is copying BMW a little too closely...

 

[Sergio]

Hmmm…. Might want to datalog it while you do these types of runs. Or try to get some race gas. Could be detonating due to the heat and timing.

Or maybe some Boostane octane booster. My guess is the ambient temps might be the cause. Can you go up in altitude in Mexico for some cooler temps?