Scorpio-N 4x4: How a minor niggle left me stranded for 3 days at Spiti

But from all this, I feel, if an OBD scanner is such a lifesaver I really want to buy one. If it’s like a reset button for your Desktop, I want it for my car.

BHPian thegoldenmonkey recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Friends, I had a very serious/small/technical/unwanted/unlucky whatever we may call incident with my Scorpio-N Z8L 4X4 MT during my recent drive to SPITI in February 2023.

I am sharing just because these sensor-operated cars can really put you in trouble sometimes.

The first problem was clutch burn during the climb to Hatu peak. It may have been because of me, not sure, maybe due to overuse of clutch during the climb. I realized due to the foul smell what was wrong. I stopped for an hour and when the smell subsided then started the downclimb. Things were normal after that and no problems.

P.S. I had been to Spiti in December 2022 also, with my “Scorpion King”. The Vehicle worked flawlessly even in -26 degrees. The engine started in max 2 cranks even in -20 degrees. I was and still am very happy and satisfied with the vehicle.

The ordeal started in the return journey.

During the hill climb towards Gue monastery, I was well aware of the problems I had faced at Hatu peak. I was cautious with the clutch usage. Even then 4 km before the monastery, the car now refused to pick up speed.

I and my wife were a solo couple doing the Spiti expedition, we were shocked and afraid. Nothing happened after all the tries, on the center console, checked and found that the engine is giving only torque and no power. I was unable to understand anything. Also no network even for JIO sim in that area.

With no option and no one around, I managed to drag the beast to the base of the village at crawling speeds and again decided to use the wait-and-watch technique. We waited for a strong 1 and half hour and then gain tried but the same result. We avoided going further up to the monastery and decided to go back.

With no network coverage, we decided to again go down 14-20 km to the nearest village for network coverage and ask for help. The car even downhill refused to pick up speed. Almost after 15-17 km of crawling, just before reaching Hurling, the engine again burst with power and the was working as expected.

We waited again for 2 hours in Hurling and avoided calling the RSA or service center as thought it would be that the car is feeling AMS. I mean there might be some glitch or loose connection and now things are okay. The car was working as if nothing happened for the next few hours.

Soon we were about to reach Nako and before that the uphill climb started again and the car broke down again. Almost 5.00 PM and no one is around, going to turn dark. Frantically I started calling the service center in Mumbai. Even they would close soon.

The service center advised either RSA for scanning or taking to a mechanic, so that he can talk to him and if possible resolve. Luckily Chango village was 7-8 km and we managed to drag the car downhill alone in the dark. The helpful villagers called the mechanic and we tried for almost 2 hours with the RM and mechanics' help to resolve but failed. Battery disconnection, radiator fuse check, air filter sensor removal, everything tried but of no use.
Finally had to call Mahindra RSA for towing. It was 8 PM and the RSA said it will take 2 days for the towing van to reach as it will come from Shimla or Mandi. A Shocker. Stranded in between out of nowhere we were almost half dead hearing this. But Mahindra helped and they confirmed after a lot of communication that the towing van will leave now and reach there tomorrow afternoon.

Though seemed impossible driver will make it, had no choice, and was ready to sleep in my camper Scorpio-N. But the mechanic insisted to stay at his house and we were saved in -15 degrees. Having a supportive and understanding wife made it easy or it would have been more trouble.

The next day towing came at 2 in the afternoon, was surprised. and we went with the towing van in my Scorpio-N, a 12-hour journey to Rampur, reached at night 3.00 PM. Took a hotel and the next day early morning went to the service center.

Mahindra North head from Chandigarh was helpful and aligned everything. Though they were like if it's your mistake in handling the car, you will have to pay for everything. I said OK. I was not charged for the Towing for 200 km.

After waiting for half an hour till they opened up, they soon were on task. Connected the scanner and the laptop, quickly checked the errors, and found quite a few like low tire pressure warnings and all. And the main culprit was the Variable oil pump sensor. It was in an error state and hence the problem. Once cleared, Lo and Behold the car is back to what it should be.

3 days of ORDEAL and 5 minutes to get it solved.

No error warnings are on Display in the car.

I feel I was unlucky with the car malfunction.

I don’t know how other brands manage such a situation.

But from all this, I feel, if an OBD scanner is such a lifesaver I really want to buy one. If it’s like a RESET button for your Desktop, I WANT IT for my car.

Please anyone using or having some good experience using it? Please suggest.

Long post, but the ordeal was harrowing, but all is well when it ends well.

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