My Dark Horse (2024 base with 6-spd tremec) has now gone into reduced-power/limp mode on four consecutive track days. Most recently this weekend where temps were in the low 60's (F) all day. The pattern is basically the same every time:
I've taken the car to a Ford dealer twice for this issue. They've performed diagnostics, including an engine misfire diagnostic test, and each time I've been told the car was fixed and ready for track use. Unfortunately, the problem comes right back the next time I take it to the track.
I also talked with an instructor at the track who has driven three other driver's Dark Horses, two manuals and one automatic. He said he has experienced CEL/limp-mode issues after a few hard laps in those cars as well.
At this point I'm starting to wonder whether something about sustained track use is exposing an issue that normal dealer diagnostics aren't reproducing.
It's frustrating. A track event costs me roughly $1,000 between entry fees, fuel, consumables, etc., and lately I get maybe one or two clean laps at full power before spending the rest of the day dealing with reduced power and trying to diagnose the car. I've lost faith in the dealer providing any help. I've currently attempted the following at the track with no luck-
Before I had spoken with the instructor this weekend I thought it was just a 'my car' issue that could be solved, but now after hearing of his similar experiences with multiple other customers' dark horses, I'm thinking it might be more of a platform issue and the car just isn't built to be tracked hard consistently.
Any guidance or feedback would be greatly appreciated.
- Car starts the day and runs normally
- I get roughly one clean lap at full power
- After pushing the car hard, it goes into reduced-power mode.
- Check engine light comes on
- Power stays reduced for the rest of the session
- I keep getting P0345: Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit, Bank 2
I've taken the car to a Ford dealer twice for this issue. They've performed diagnostics, including an engine misfire diagnostic test, and each time I've been told the car was fixed and ready for track use. Unfortunately, the problem comes right back the next time I take it to the track.
I also talked with an instructor at the track who has driven three other driver's Dark Horses, two manuals and one automatic. He said he has experienced CEL/limp-mode issues after a few hard laps in those cars as well.
At this point I'm starting to wonder whether something about sustained track use is exposing an issue that normal dealer diagnostics aren't reproducing.
It's frustrating. A track event costs me roughly $1,000 between entry fees, fuel, consumables, etc., and lately I get maybe one or two clean laps at full power before spending the rest of the day dealing with reduced power and trying to diagnose the car. I've lost faith in the dealer providing any help. I've currently attempted the following at the track with no luck-
- Replaced/switched out impacted camshaft sensor with another sensor from circuit B, but still get the same error code and message. both sensors look fine.
- keep full fuel tank while on track- issues continues to happen even with 100% full fuel tank. engine oil was fully flushed and replaced & topped up with fresh oil as well before most recent track day.
- 'reset car' by turning car off, disconnecting battery and let car cool down for an hour, re-connect battery, clear codes using obd-II scanner, then back to limp mode once out on track.
- replaced steeda air filters with new stock oem filters- still get same code.
Before I had spoken with the instructor this weekend I thought it was just a 'my car' issue that could be solved, but now after hearing of his similar experiences with multiple other customers' dark horses, I'm thinking it might be more of a platform issue and the car just isn't built to be tracked hard consistently.
Any guidance or feedback would be greatly appreciated.
