From getting to work to getting the kids to school, you rely on your car in a vast number of ways. So when you step on the gas pedal and your vehicle’s engine responds sluggishly, of course this is major cause for concern when you’re experiencing reduced engine power. Show Auto Repairs Are EXPENSIVE In days-gone-by, this would have just meant changing the spark plugs or wires, changing out the rotor or distributor cap, and tweaking the carburetor. However, in today’s modern vehicles, there are all kinds of culprits behind your car’s hesitation to accelerate. In this article, we will thoroughly explore what would cause reduced engine power, how to bypass reduced engine power, and how to fix reduced engine power. Read on to find out exactly what you need to know about why your car is behaving sluggishly. What Does Reduced Engine Power Mean? If your car isn’t accelerating properly, your “engine power reduced” warning light may also be illuminated on your dashboard. The “check engine” light may have popped on as well. Don’t panic just yet! We’ll go over everything you need to know about this problematic occurrence to ease your concern. Typically, the “engine power reduced” warning light on your dash means that your vehicle’s performance has been reduced to avoid damaging its engine. The computer in your car, also known as its “electronic control unit” (ECU) has triggered the Reduced Power Mode after it has detected a system failure. In other words, the illuminated “engine power reduced” light is your vehicle’s way of telling you that it has entered into a fail-safe mode. This can inhibit your vehicle’s ability to properly accelerate. Even if the car’s power isn’t immediately reduced, its performance may be limited the next time you drive it. In some cases, the car’s ECU may even cut off all fuel delivery to its engine, rendering your vehicle un-drivable. Trouble Codes that Are Related to Reduced Engine Power Depending upon what type of vehicle you own and the problem that is detected by the ECU, a certain trouble code will appear in the electronic control module’s (ECM) memory. Some of these trouble codes can include:
The best way to properly diagnose and repair your vehicle is to take it into your local service shop and have it inspected by a certified mechanic. What is Fail-Safe Mode? The “engine power reduced” message is telling you that your vehicle has entered into a fail-safe mode. All modern cars are equipped with a fail-safe strategy to protect drivers. Your car’s ECU may initiate a fail-safe mode to either protect the occupants inside of the vehicle or to prevent further damage to the car itself. When your car is in a fail-safe mode, there are a lot of different ways that your vehicle’s onboard electronics may limit its performance. For example, if there is an issue with the electronic throttle actuator, the electronic control unit may decrease the maximum throttle opening. On the other hand, if there’s a concern with your car’s transmission, the electronic control unit may limit transmission operation to a particular gear range. Some vehicles might display a dedicated message on your dashboard to give you a heads up that it is in fail-safe mode. In other instances, your “Check Engine” light may turn on. What Causes the “Reduced Engine Power” Light to Go On? Asking why your car’s “reduced engine power” light came on is a lot like asking why your “Check Engine” light is illuminated. There is a myriad of possibilities to list. However, one of the most common causes of this issue is a problem with your car’s electronic throttle actuator control (TAC) system. A lot of modern cars utilize this layout in lieu of a traditional, mechanical throttle body and linkage. In a throttle actuator control system, the ECU oversees two accelerator position sensors to determine your desire to accelerate. The device than calculates the appropriate throttle response from two throttle position sensors. Once it has gleaned the necessary information from the sensors, the ECU uses an actuator motor to maneuver the throttle, thus controlling airflow into your car’s engine. An issue with your throttle actuator control system can easily trigger the “reduced engine power” warning light on your dashboard. For example, the issue could be the throttle body, one of the vehicle’s sensors, or even the accelerator pedal assembly. Although an issue with your car’s throttle actuator control is one of the most common reasons for it to enter into a reduced power mode, there are numerous other possibilities. For instance, some cars will display the “reduced engine power” message because of a faulty electronic fan clutch. Other cars may turn on this message because of an issue with the fuel system. And the list goes on and on. Some other issues that may lead to a reduction in engine power in your vehicle could include:
What Causes Fail-Safe Mode? Just like with your “reduced engine power” light coming on, there are a number of reasons why your car could enter into a fail-safe mode. Here are some of the most common reasons:
Any of these problems can cause your car to enter into a fail-safe mode, and also reduces engine power. Can I Drive My Car with the “Reduced Engine Power” Warning Light On? Driving your vehicle while the “reduced engine power” light is on is possible. However, this feature is known as “limp mode,” which is as much as you should operate your car, within reason. There aren’t many risks to driving in this mode. But the car won’t be a pleasure to drive, as gas mileage will be excessive, acceleration will be poor, and on some vehicles, shifting gears will be jerky at best. Additionally, some cars may disable non-essential accessory components, such as the radio. The short answer is that while it is possible to drive when your “reduced engine power” light in on, you should get your car towed if it must travel further than a couple of miles. What Should I Do if the “Reduced Engine Power” Light Comes On? If you are behind the wheel and the “reduced engine power” light pops on, the very first thing that you should do is try your car back home or to a repair shop right away. If you’re already at home, don’t attempt to drive the vehicle. Known Issues Causing Reduced Engine Problems in Specific Models If your “reduced engine power” light is on, and you drive one of these specific types of vehicles, here are some of the known causes behind your car’s acceleration issues: GM Models with Throttle Assembly Issues: Some GM vehicle models have been known to suffer from reduced engine power troubles due to a fault afflicting their throttle assembly. Typically, you will be warned by a DTC P2135 message along with the general “reduced engine power” light on your dashboard. The models listed below fall into this category:
The types of engines affected include:
If your GMC vehicle is one of the makes and models discussed above and it is suffering from reduced engine power, have a GM certified mechanic look at it right away. Ford F-150 Charge Air Cooler: Similar complaints that were investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that Ford F-150 trucks made between 2001 and 2013 that were equipped with a 3.5-liter, turbocharged direct injection engine would suddenly experience reduced engine power while operating at highway speeds. Company service bulletins indicated that the charge air cooler (CAC) was the cause behind this. This is because it could accumulate moisture while the truck was cruising at highway speeds for a period of time under humid conditions. Can I Fix My Reduced Engine Power Problem at Home? Typically, your vehicle’s “reduced engine power” light will appear with a DTC in its computer’s memory that points to an issue in a specific sensor or system. However, do not immediately assume that something is problematic with a specific part or system described by the DTCs. The fault can also be with a harness, circuit, connector, or even an entirely different component or system. Bad engine grounds are sometimes to blame for many apparently problematic wires or parts that connect the numerous actuators and sensors to the electronic control module (ECM). So, you initially need to check the condition of the engine grounds, including battery connections. A bad ground connection will cause currents and voltages to drop, leading to all kinds of drivability concerns. Use a digital multi-meter to properly check the engine grounds. This will make it simple to detect damaged, corroded, or loose connections that may be afflicting the sensors, system circuits, or actuators. If you find any DTCs, test the specific components or circuit that the code points to before actually replacing it, to ensure that it is faulty. When checking the electronic components, be sure to turn off the ignition switch, then:
What Do I Do if I Can’t Fix the Reduced Engine Power Problem Myself? Many of the issues that could cause reduced engine power in your vehicle are problems that need to be addressed right away. However, you should not panic, since many of these issues can be easily repaired with some basic know-how and a bit of research. Taking your car to a repair shop can be pricier than making the repairs yourself, but the benefit of their innovative scan tools and readily available equipment will save you a lot of time and headache down the road. The mechanic will run a full and thorough scan of the car before doing any work on it to pinpoint the exact location of the problem. After that is completed, you should receive a quote for parts and labor. What Should I Do if My Car Doesn’t Have a “Reduced Engine Power” Warning Light? If your vehicle does not have a “reduced engine power” warning light yet you can feel that the engine is running poorly or goes into limp mode, you should do your best to immediately find out what is wrong with it. You can also preemptively run a scan on the car if you anticipate an issue could arise. It’s critical that you drive the vehicle minimally until the issue is resolved. Otherwise, it could further damage the car and lead to costlier repairs. It is also unsafe. Keep in mind, that it can only take one issue with a single system to spill over into other systems too. An error code that triggers the “reduced engine power” light could also trigger additional error lights within your car’s gauge cluster. If you think that your car is operating on reduced power, and there are no warning lights that are illuminated, you can check the following components, including:
Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Reset the ‘Reduced Engine Power” Light? Much like your car’s “check engine” light, its “reduced engine power” message can’t simply be reset with a push of a button. To get the message to go off, you (or your mechanic) will need to fix the underlying issue that triggered the light to go on in the first place. Can Low Oil Reduce My Car’s Engine Power? Sometimes, low oil can lead to a lack of acceleration. For instance, modern engines have variable valve timing (VVT) systems that rely heavily on oil pressure to operate. Contact Cash Cars Buyer Now If your vehicle is operating at reduced engine power and you simply want to get rid of it, why not sell your car to us? We can offer you up to $500 on the spot and tow your car for free! Call us today at 866-924-4608 or visit our website to learn how much your clunker is worth. We offer top dollar for junk cars and can pick your vehicle up and pay you the very same day! Wrapping It Up There are many things that can cause reduced engine power in your vehicle. If your “reduced engine power” light comes on, do not drive your car. You can try to repair it by yourself at home, or take your vehicle to a certified mechanic to get fixed. How much does it cost to fix engine power reduced?Expect to pay between $100 and $500, including parts and labor, to get your engine back in shape. However, a catalytic converter issue can cost over $2,000. The only way to find out what's wrong is to bring your car into a repair shop. Don't wait any longer—the issue will only grow worse, making repairs more expensive.
How do I get my car out of reduced engine power?Low engine oil, loose cables, and a clogged catalytic converter commonly cause reduced engine power. Tighten loose cables or clean your oxygen and mass air flow sensors to bypass reduced engine power. Replace your battery or catalytic converter if they are damaged to override reduced engine power.
Can needing an oil change cause reduced engine power?If engine require oil change the oil inn use is no longer correctly performing. This mean there is more friction in moving parts and some engine power is used to overcome friction in the engine moving parts. The overall available power decreases.
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