Just been on a 100 mile run (mainly motorway and in the rain) and stopped for a break, but when I returned to the car to continue my journey, the car wouldn't start and I got RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE displayed.

I turned ignition off and on a few times and eventually it started and drove without issue for another 60 miles.

Left it half an hour and had the same issue again trying to start it. After turning off/on several times, it started again.

Only had the car a few weeks and not seen this before.

I understand this is a long shot, but anyone any idea what is causing this please?

Will have to get it to a garage when I get home on Monday.

Thanks.

Sounds very much like the rain is causing dampness there somewhere but then I am not with the car to make such a diagnosis. Have you got a diagnostic tool or OBD11 software to see if there are any fault codes showing? If you are stuck with the same problem on your return journey and are a member of the RAC/AA then they carry a diagnostic tester on board their vans.

Thanks Ken33y.

I ordered an OBD2 device, but it hasn't arrived yet. Typical!

Day 2 and the return journey went without a hitch, including a stop half-way.

Something must have been affected by the rain yesterday, as today we drove home in the dry.

Also, at 47mpg, it was a pleasant trip.

Hopefully the OBD2 device arrives soon.

Just used my son's OBD2 reader and there are no stored error codes.

I have read various blogs on this topic. Lots of people suffer from this problem and it is very difficult to diagnose, even going through the diagnostics process. I did read one piece of advice and I have successfully appied it so will pass it on. I recently had restricted power several times over a few days which, touch wood, has not come back.

If you get the restricted performance warning light on and get restricted power, pull over and switch the ignition off, wait one minute, switch on the ignition but wait until all the lights on the dash have gone off except the four which stay on until the engine has been started, then start the car. In general, whenever starting the car, always wait until all the lights except the four have gone out. It is very tempting to start the car immediately, but it does appear that this could lead to the restricted performance issue.

Advice worked for me, so I pass it on.