"Service engine immediately" when I brake?

[pgsilva]

Driving on the highway last night, every time I hit the brakes to slow for an interchange, traffic, etc. the message “Service engine immediately. Vehicle speed limited due to malfunction” appears on the dash, and only while braking. Foot off and the message goes away. Funny thing is, I was doing 70 mph or so, so the speed wasn’t being limited in any way at all. It’s not like the car was in a limp mode. It’s a 2015 Equus Signature. The car ran fine, no check engine light, no noises, no problems braking, happened with both cruise control on and off, happened even if there was no traffic in front or around me. It also happened intermittently under 40 mph once I got off the highway.

Any ideas?

 

[DSXMachina]

Check your oil level.

 

[pgsilva]

Thanks for your reply, the silence to this question was deafening.

Interesting, the connection isn't obvious, but I'll check tomorrow. Any reason why the oil level would cause this?

 

[CubSmurf]

Thanks for your reply, the silence to this question was deafening.

Interesting, the connection isn't obvious, but I'll check tomorrow. Any reason why the oil level would cause this?

Don't take the silence personally, I just don't think there are many active Equus owners here. I haven't found many Equus owners anywhere, honestly. That is why I am documenting my suspension issues here so that future owners will have some idea of what to expect.

My **guess** on the oil level thing is perhaps there is an internal oil level sensor and when you brake hard the oil all moves forward and the sensor is tripped due to low levels. I'd guess it's to prevent catastrophic engine failure in case of a major oil leak.

 

[G-817018]

Sounds reasonable. Thanks. I’ll check.

I actually posted this elsewhere and haven’t seen any suggestions there either.

 

[MrMegadeth]

My guess would be a vacuum leak.

 

[DSXMachina]

My guess would be a vacuum leak.

The reason I didn't make this guess is that although you are right, a major vacuum leak in the brake booster system could cause the problem, it would also result in one of two other problems. The first would be a very rough running engine at idle, the second would be difficulty stopping. Neither was reported by the OP.

 

[DSXMachina]

[snip]

My **guess** on the oil level thing is perhaps there is an internal oil level sensor and when you brake hard the oil all moves forward and the sensor is tripped due to low levels. I'd guess it's to prevent catastrophic engine failure in case of a major oil leak.

Yup. If the pump sucks air then the oil pressure drops to a dangerous level.

 

[msukhman]

Driving on the highway last night, every time I hit the brakes to slow for an interchange, traffic, etc. the message “Service engine immediately. Vehicle speed limited due to malfunction” appears on the dash, and only while braking. Foot off and the message goes away. Funny thing is, I was doing 70 mph or so, so the speed wasn’t being limited in any way at all. It’s not like the car was in a limp mode. It’s a 2015 Equus Signature. The car ran fine, no check engine light, no noises, no problems braking, happened with both cruise control on and off, happened even if there was no traffic in front or around me. It also happened intermittently under 40 mph once I got off the highway.

Any ideas?

did you ever find the problem / solution? i'm having the same issue. thanks.

 

[joegr]

In addition to the other suggestions, check the brake pedal switch.

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[brian981985]

Driving on the highway last night, every time I hit the brakes to slow for an interchange, traffic, etc. the message “Service engine immediately. Vehicle speed limited due to malfunction” appears on the dash, and only while braking. Foot off and the message goes away. Funny thing is, I was doing 70 mph or so, so the speed wasn’t being limited in any way at all. It’s not like the car was in a limp mode. It’s a 2015 Equus Signature. The car ran fine, no check engine light, no noises, no problems braking, happened with both cruise control on and off, happened even if there was no traffic in front or around me. It also happened intermittently under 40 mph once I got off the highway.

Any ideas?

Driving my 2014 Equus yesterday got this same warning, although on top of that warning my AVSM // Auto Hold/// And Traction control light came on... which have me equally as baffled... i need to leave for work shortly and i'm praying to god the issue "fixed itself" because once i stopped the car... went into the store i was going to.. drove it home with no further issues.. any ideas?

 

[G-762142]

I had this experience as well with my 2014 Equus. Checked the oil and it was almost off the stick. took for a quick oil change and have not experienced the problem since.

These engines use oil.

 

[built4comfort]

Driving my 2014 Equus yesterday got this same warning, although on top of that warning my AVSM // Auto Hold/// And Traction control light came on... which have me equally as baffled... i need to leave for work shortly and i'm praying to god the issue "fixed itself" because once i stopped the car... went into the store i was going to.. drove it home with no further issues.. any ideas?

Just got the identical problem- the auto Hold light goes on and then the 'service engine immediately...' message. I turned off the car and started agon and it disappered. Then it showed up a few days later. Did you ever solve the issue?