Limp mode/ car shutdown/ ABS/ESP
 

Hi all, I'm stuck along high 13 in Delaware several miles from home in PA. Heavy rain on the road for a while then all a sudden ABS,ESP,cruise control failure. Put the car In park and couldn't shift back out. Restarted the car and went into limp mode and drove a bit. The tacho and Speedo were cutting in and out. Shutdown and would not restart. Dash comes on but doesn't try to start and no glow plug attempted. 05 320 CDI. Anyone have some basics I can try? I got a hotel room until tomorrow. There's no places open around here to look at the issues. My mechanic seemed to think it was a speed sensor.

Could very well be a wheel speed sensor causing ABS, etc code but I dont remember that causing link mode.

Something got wet that should not have gotten wet. A good code reader should shed light on it. It may even be fine tomorrow after it has dried out.

Don't trust it if it "dries out"
 

Try to find out what's wrong with it while it's not working right. If it works after it dries out, then it's a ticking time bomb until it rains again. Not worth risking your life over. Find out the problem and get it fixed.

X2 on figure it out ASAP because if it goes back to working it is very difficult to diagnose. Do try to get the codes the read.

Going out on a limb here but I'm thinking low voltage due to a weak alternator that got drenched by water due to the heavy rain. Check the plug at the alternator for cleanliness and having good connection.

A wheel sensor shouldn't give a problem with the tach or speedo that comes to mind.

Pull the fuse box cover to see if it got soaked.

Have you checked for water intrusion? I had all kinds of electrical issues in my CDI when I had water getting in the trunk, including an SRS light that was very difficult to get rid of.

Good point about alternator probably got wet.

I'm the type that if it had happened to me first thing next day I'd try to start it to see if it would run. Makes it a lot easier to put on lift.

Well my father came 3 hrs to get with a flat bed. Cars sitting in the sun. Tried starting it today and it doesn't eve. Attempt. The dash comes on but no glow plugs attempt to turn on. I've see the ESP and ABS warning lights pop back on. Voltage according to the dash is 12.2V if I try to start it drops to 11.8V. I brought it back home to PA. Need to figure a way to get it Into the shop

Based on your statement the key does turn? No noise, anything? Can you put it in neutral?

I doubt it is a wheel speed sensor. Sounds like a low voltage issue to me.