Just thought I'd poke around here to see if you guys have any idea what might have happened to my car today. I was driving home and accelerating hard through 4k RPM and suddenly it felt like the car fell on its face...stopped accelerating completely. Car went into limp mode...EML, DSC, Battery, and SES lights on, wont go over 2k RPM.

I was just about to turn down my street when all this happened, so I continued down it in limp mode and the temperature gauge shot up like a rocket and was about to overheat. I turned off the car, all the fans stayed on and I must say, I was impressed at how quickly they cooled everything back down, judging by the temp gauge. There was also a slight burnt smell when I opened the hood.

Experts....any idea what might be going on?! I'm not sure if this is what happens when you break a pulley belt, but the belt appears to be intact.

Also, my car had springs/shocks installed today at the dealer, I can't see how any of that would have caused this though.

 

Symptoms sound exactly like the accessory belt is letting go - happened to me last week and I experienced all of the symptoms listed above.

Belt may be shredded/snapped but resting in the channels of the pulley giving the impression that it is still there.

I'd certainly double check the belt, then double check your pulley to make sure it is not loose, then check the belt tensioner. That covers the easy stuff, then start digging for harder things...