[Greenie]

My Lusso is put away for the winter for the past month. Only has 150 miles on it before winter set in. Went to start it today and it started right up. Let it warm for several minutes then tried to rev it but it would not go over 3200 RPMs. Is in park with parking brake both on and off. Really can't take it out on the road due to icy conditions. What's is going on? I'm pretty sure I was able to rev it over 3k before while in park.

 

[Stelvio]

Does the engine noise seem to match only 3200 rpm?

 

[Greg]

There is a limiter when the car is stopped. I don't remember the specifics, but I'll bet if you drive the car it will work just fine and go all the way to redline.

Greg

 

[MotoPete]

Isn't it urban legend that excessively revving an engine with no load on it is bad juju? Maybe whoever programmed the limiter at Fiat believes so?

 

[Amante]

Had the blue temp light on the dash gone out? You say you had reved it above 3200 in park before - there may be a rev limit when the engine is cold. I don't think reving in neutral is a good idea, anyway...jmho

 

[Greg]

Isn't it urban legend that excessively revving an engine with no load on it is bad juju? Maybe whoever programmed the limiter at Fiat believes so?

Well....sort of, but not exactly. SOME automatic transmissions can be destroyed under certain conditions by revving in Park or neutral. I remember there was a BMW service bulletin for this relating to the ZF transmission in the 80's and 90's. People in California were destroying transmissions during smog checks when they sustained higher than idle rpm for a sustained period of time.

The 124 does have protections against this, but I can't remember just what they are, a 3000 RPM limit does make sense, especially when cold. I am going to say that until we KNOW more about this Aisin transmission, it's a good idea not to rev it in neutral.

Greg

 

[MotoPete]

Had the blue temp light on the dash gone out? ...there may be a rev limit when the engine is cold.

I can confirm there isn't.

 

[Greenie]

You are confirming that there is NOT a rev limiter?

 

[MotoPete]

You are confirming that there is NOT a rev limiter?

Yes, briefly drove in excess of 4,000 rpm (just to be sure) with blue light on.

 

[frankmar]

My car is winterized and today, installed the lock nuts on the wheels and started the car and in neutral I slowly passed the 4k rpm.

 

[Unknownsir]

Has anyone on here had one of these engine, in another platform (dart, 500) that has sat for months without starting? I was told by someone familiar with the dart side of things that these engine when allowed to sit too long will have issues upon start up until all the nooks and crannies reach full pressure. I was even told if it sits too long it might be very hard to even get started.

If this one sat for a whole month maybe this is the reason, or maybe my guy was blowing smoke.

Mine had been in storage now for a month. I took it out two weeks ago for a drive and today just ran it at an idle for about 20 minutes.

 

[Greg]

I really don't think it's going to have a problem sitting.

Greg

 

[MiniDreamCar]

Did this ever get a solution?

My friend’s Spider is automatic and won’t go above 3,500.

 

[Kturley]

My 2018 Abarth automatic does the same, it will not rev past about 2800 - 3000 in D - N or P, when NOT moving.
Once I'm underway it revs gloriously to the red line (manually w/ paddles or Auto) with no issues. I feel like this was some safety feature with the Autos.
I have a neighbor with a 2017 Black Abarth (new TCM recall also installed) and that one is the same.
If anyone can find a FCA confirmation that would be great.

 

[MiniDreamCar]

Mine is 2017 and revs to redline on P/Neutral. Auto.

 

[Kturley]

Mine is 2017 and revs to redline on P/Neutral. Auto.

Mini: Can yours do that Before the Blue temp indicator goes out?

 

[MiniDreamCar]

Don’t know, haven’t tried that because it doesn’t sound safe lol.

All in all, I think no one should worry. Probably a safety feature. Only happens when stationary to some people.