Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
I was driving around 55 mph and the engine malfunction light came on, plus the warning message engine malfunction reduced engine power displayed. After this, the engine powered down. I was able to maneuver the car off the freeway and get it to my house. This problem has been recurring many times. This last time the car had to be towed to my mechanic’s shop. He was not able to duplicate the failure, so he wasn’t able to diagnose it. Would you please give me your assessment of this problem and what needs to be done to repair it?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. There are a lot of things that can cause this on your 2012 BMW M5. I usually start by scanning the computer for codes to see what comes up. If there are not codes then I load test the alternator and the battery to see if they are failing. Low voltage in the electrical system will cause this. If that is fine, then it is usually caused by a failing throttle body. I have seen a lot of these fail due to the motors in them hanging up. If the problem is only happening intermittently, this can make the issue hard to duplicate, but you can still have tests done on the car. If you are going to have this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to test the vehicle and diagnose the Engine Malfunction Light.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
A weak battery can cause BMW Engine Malfunction and Reduced Power messages on the iDrive screen. BMW vehicles are susceptible to voltage, and if the battery is old, it may hold a proper charge. If your battery is over seven years old, it is time to change it to avoid other electrical issues.
The Reduced Power light only illuminates if there is a serious issue with the vehicle that must be addressed immediately. In almost all cases, the throttle or the vehicles computer will be malfunctioning which can make driving the vehicle dangerous.
The “Reduced Engine Power” light is a warning sign that appears on the dashboard of some cars and trucks. It indicates that the engine is not performing at its optimal level and that some safety measures have been activated to prevent further damage to the engine or the vehicle.
Shut off the engine, wait 10 seconds, then restart the vehicle to see if this resets the reduced engine power light—but this will only work if it`s a signal error. Avoid driving your vehicle when the reduced engine power light is on—instead, identify and repair the underlying problem that`s causing the warning light.
The warning light indicates a malfunction with one of the vehicle`s systems, but even minor problems can trigger an alert. If your check engine light is flashing, there is a serious issue, and you should turn off the engine as soon as it`s safe to get off the road.
What is Limp Mode? In short, limp mode is your BMW`s way of protecting your engine and transmission. When the engine or transmission control unit, called an ABS, detects faulty functioning, the malfunction code is stored in the device and is then assessed to determine the severity of the issue.
Since most BMW models use a Condition-Based Servicing system, your check engine light should reset itself automatically if and when the offending issue has been resolved.
A dirty air filter reduces the amount of clean air that is getting through to the engine, decreasing its power and performance. Replacing your dirty engine air filter with a new, clean one can improve the acceleration of your engine.
Spark plugs: Damaged spark plugs can trigger this error. If they need to be replaced, you can expect to pay about $200 per spark plug. Engine: If your engine is damaged, you may need to replace the entire engine. could cost you several thousand dollars.
Speed sensors, the MAF, MPS and TPS; to name just a few of the essential monitors within your engine. All of these send signals to the control units, so as with faulty wiring, if one of these monitoring units is not functioning correctly, then it could send a message that causes the car to enter limp mode.
Generally, unless there are other symptoms that`s something`s wrong, you can continue driving to your destination. You should then get your vehicle looked at by an expert as soon as possible to avoid risking further damage to your car.
An even simpler way to clear the engine management light is to turn the ignition on and off. This approach achieves the same outcome as the previous step, but without disconnecting the battery. Turn the ignition on and off three times, pausing a second between each cycle. The engine management light should go off.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
2012 equinox reduced power light engine light and traction light came on. Lost a lot of power got home and all light except engine
ANSWER : Your car has what is called a "safe mode" that will be engaged by the computer when it detects that something critical has gone wrong related to any of the major components in your engine chassis or power train. This may be related to a number of things, most of which should have been registered in the computer when the check engine light came on. I recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to inspect your check engine light and diagnose any codes registered by your vehicle’s computer.
Read Full Q/A … : Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
ANSWER : Hi there. There are a lot of things that can cause this on your 2012 BMW M5. I usually start by scanning the computer for codes to see what comes up. If there are not codes then I load test the alternator and the battery to see if they are failing. Low voltage in the electrical system will cause this. If that is fine, then it is usually caused by a failing throttle body. I have seen a lot of these fail due to the motors in them hanging up. If the problem is only happening intermittently, this can make the issue hard to duplicate, but you can still have tests done on the car. If you are going to have this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to test the vehicle and diagnose the Engine Malfunction Light.
Read Full Q/A … : Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
Reduce engine power / check engine light is on
ANSWER : Hi there. Most of the time, reduced engine power is caused by a restriction of fuel, or the throttle body’s inability to efficiently mix air and fuel. This could be caused by a failing mass air flow sensor, EGR valve or other fuel system components. Since the check engine light is on, you should have a professional mechanic complete an inspection at your location to determine what codes are stored and which components require repair. This should resolve your issue.
Read Full Q/A … : Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
Car sometimes give me acceleration and power issues. Engine power reduced message and engine light appear intermittently.
ANSWER : It is possible that your vehicle’s PCM has failed. This is somewhat of a common problem amongst many GM vehicles. If the computer has failed, this could be one of the reasons that no trouble codes are appearing and the fact that the problem is intermittent. It is possible that the computer is somehow getting overheated and by stopping the vehicle for a short period of time, the PCM cools down allowing the vehicle to run again. I would recommend having your PCM tested for proper function by a certified technician with experience in computer diagnostics.
Read Full Q/A … : Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
Traction light/reduced engine power and check engine light coming on
ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your vehicle may be experiencing some sort of intermittent wiring or sensor issue. If the problem occurred again after driving over a bump, then it may be possible that a damaged or loose wire is shorting or having contact issues. A common issue that can cause stalling is a faulty crank position sensor or wiring. I would carefully examine the engine for any loose or damaged wires. If the Check Engine Light comes back on, I would recommend having the trouble codes scanned before resetting the computer.
Read Full Q/A … : Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
Check engine light refuses to go off after engine replaced
ANSWER : Hello there, you have a long series of issues going on with your 2013 Hyundai Sonata. If you keep getting a repeating oil light on than there is likely a fault in that system.
Since this fault has lasted after the engine was replaced it could be a oil pressure sensor, wiring harness fault, ECU fault, oil pump, oil strainer clogged, or low oil pressure.
To diagnose this issue properly you need a complete vehicle inspection to start from square one and identify the root cause of all this.
Read Full Q/A … : Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
Warning: Engine Malfunction! Reduced Power: Engine is operating at reduced output
ANSWER : This is a sign of your car’s automatic fail safe mode. When your car’s computer detects that something has gone wrong in one of it’s major systems, it will send the car into what is known as a "limp mode" or "safe mode" which dramatically reduces power to the engine to a minimal amount, just to get you where you need to go. When this happens, the car will be inoperable for the most part and will need to be looked at by a qualified mechanic such as one from YourMechanic. I would recommend having one of our experts come to your location to take a look at the car and make a proper diagnosis.
Read Full Q/A … : Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
Error code p1516 with check engine and reduced engine power unable to drive over 30mph car is revving up put no power
ANSWER : The code P1516 is is for the throttle position sensor. It looks like the car’s computer is putting the engine in "failsafe mode" to prevent the car from being driven much further. A technician would need to examine the system firsthand to accurately diagnose the code and make the correct fix. A certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to thoroughly inspect the car and let you know how to best proceed.
Read Full Q/A … : Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
