Reduce engine power / check engine light is on
Left the car on to run into the store and when I came out I noticed the exhaust sounded different; it had a putt/putt sound to it; when I got in I noticed the check engine light was on along with a reduce engine power message; it was drivable however ran a bit sluggish – when I turned it back on, the reduce engine power message was gone, however the check engine light remained on. I was able to drive it without any additional problems, but when I came to a stop the reduce engine power message appeared, and stayed on for a while but then went off again. I've noticed that the power windows t
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
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.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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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.
The reduced engine power warning light shows that something has reduced the flow of fuel and/or air to the engine. It often turns on when a car needs maintenance or repair and doesn`t mean your vehicle is about to break down, but it could be a good time for an oil change.
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.
It depends on the cause of the reduced power. Often, the problems are minor. In rare cases, though, reduced power can cause more serious problems like a seized engine, or even an electrical fire.
Reduced Engine Power signifies that the car has lost some power and isn`t performing as it should. Common cause include reduced flow of fuel and/or air to the engine, clogged catalytic converter, problem with the air intake, or a dirty mass airflow sensor.
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.
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.
While a car`s engine performance is not affected by a weak battery, other parts of the car do suffer from a weak battery. When these components suffer, the overall performance of the vehicle suffers.
Of course…. Failure to change motor oil on time can lead to many problems. For instance, if you don`t change motor oil in your car on time; Its power output will reduce.
Engine Power Loss
Your high-performance engine will lag if the O2 sensor is bad and tricking the engine control unit (ECU) into putting too much air in the combustion chamber. This creates a lean fuel mixture in the chamber and causes sputtering and power loss in the engine.
Will a bad O2 sensor cause rough idle and loss of engine power? You bet. Moreover, you may also notice poor acceleration, engine misfires, and even stalling.
While a car`s engine performance is not affected by a weak battery, other parts of the car do suffer from a weak battery. When these components suffer, the overall performance of the vehicle suffers.
A misfiring engine means the spark plug wires are not firing properly. This causes many problems, like increased exhaust emissions, reduced fuel economy, and reduced engine power.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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While driving on freeway truck goes into a limp mode, and the check engine light, abs light, parking break light, service brake
ANSWER : It is possible that you could be having an issue with your powertrain control module. This is somewhat of a common problem on many GM vehicles. I would recommend having your vehicle inspected by the dealership to determine if the powertrain control module is functioning properly. If not, a reflash of the powertrain control module may resolve the issue but often times it must be replaced.
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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.
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Car started to slow down and then the check engine light, battery, and engine oil light came on. What could cause this?
ANSWER : Hi there. It is possible that the battery cable came loose or the wires to the oil pressure sensor has came loose or failed. Check the battery cables and make sure that the terminals are tight and clean. Check the wires to the oil pressure sensor and make sure that they are connected and not broken. If everything looks good, then the oil pressure sensor may have failed. Plus, check the computer for codes and see what is stored. This will lead you to the part that could have failed. I recommend replacing the oil pressure sensor then checking to see if the lights will go out. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your vehicle, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you with the warning lights that came on.
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