I've got the 1/2 engine indicator on the dash lit up. No codes or Check engine light.

The car doesn't have the pep it usually has (MCS). I'm wondering if the Turbo is even working--if I mash the accelerator I don't get the power surge, just a gentle acceleration.

Is the car intentionally not using the Turbo or did it die? Is it okay to drive the car in this situation?

The HPFP was replaced before in 2012.

(also, and this is probably a separate issue, with cold start-ups the motor stumbles every few seconds, and when I start to accelerate it sounds like the timing chain is dragging against something--the sound goes away when I lay off the throttle. That dragging sound only occurs within about the first 30 seconds of travel, then the engine sounds fine.)

 

The half engine light means half engine power mode, no turbo boost. The code needs to be pulled for diagnosis.

 

njaremka is dead on. Could be a lot of things, you need to get the code pulled. If Autozone pulls the code and doesn't find one, you'll need to take it to a mini dealer or an independent that has a right hardware to pull it.

 

There was no code I could pull up on my reader.

Interestingly though, on my way home from work the 1/2 engine indicator didn't come on and I had turbo back.

I did add half a quart of oil last night and that seemed to quiet down the 'chain' noise some. The oil level was already at the full mark before adding the half quart.

 

Even thought it went out of limp mode, there will be a stored code that a generic reader can't pull. Exact same thing happened to me, would go in and out of limp mode. Dealer replaced one of the VANOS solenoids..

 

I guess I'm wondering if it's a problem with the turbo that's putting the car into limp mode or some other problem that puts the car in limp mode and deactivates the turbo.

 

It's usually the latter, but need the codes to know

 

There were no "check engine" codes and the CEL was not lit on the center console.

The CC ID 029 code came up on the OBD computer.