Engine and loss of power light came on.

Tiny
JTANDERSON0444
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 SATURN ION
  • 120,000 MILES
No problems then all of a sudden engine and loss of power light came on. Car sputtered and wouldn't accelerate. What is a trouble code and how do I do that?
Sunday, December 11th, 2011 AT 11:55 PM

28 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer. The computer monitors nearly everything. If there is a problem, it records the problem and stores it. Using an OBD2 scanner, a person retrieves trouble codes from the computer.

Here is a guide to show you how

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

check this video

https://youtu.be/U1RoG3I-Oww

There are many different codes. Each one identifies a different problem. Once the code is obtained, a shop or anyone can look up the code and identify where the problem is coming from.

I am not sure where you are located, but most nationally recognized parts stores will scan it for free and tell you what they find.

If you get the code, let me know and I can tell you what it means.
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Monday, December 12th, 2011 AT 2:49 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Just to add to this one if the reduced power light is coming on then your having a failure in your electronic throttle system. Get the computer scanned for codes and post the exact code numbers not the code descriptions.
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Monday, December 12th, 2011 AT 4:46 AM
Tiny
JTANDERSON0444
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Is electronic throttle control problem typically an expensive fix?
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Monday, December 12th, 2011 AT 1:07 PM
Tiny
JTANDERSON0444
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
When I started the car this morning it ran fine. Could the problem have corrected itself? Owners manual said that was possible.
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Monday, December 12th, 2011 AT 4:12 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It all depends on what the actually problem is on how much it will cost to fix. If the computer doesnt detect the problem next key cycle the system resets itself. It will only go into reduced power mode when the computer detects a problem in the throttle system. Usually the problem doesnt fix itself get the codes read and post them.
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Monday, December 12th, 2011 AT 4:37 PM
Tiny
ROLLENTIDEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Saturn had a federal recall on catalytic converters on ions that were effected by this but only on consumer complaints its pass the 5 year period for freem replaced but thats what it sounds like. I use to work at a Saturn dealorship.
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Monday, April 23rd, 2012 AT 3:11 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
A plugged cat doesnt turn on the reduced power light that turns on because of a issue with the throttle by wire system. They said the power light came on meaning the reduced power light. Plugged cats will not turn that light on but thanks for the info on the cats.
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Monday, April 23rd, 2012 AT 3:38 AM
Tiny
ROLLENTIDEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Saturntech9 your correct I miss read it and jumped the gun thanks for replying and correcting that.
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Monday, April 23rd, 2012 AT 10:58 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome thats what were here for.
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Monday, April 23rd, 2012 AT 11:30 PM
Tiny
JEFFOVIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 SATURN ION
  • 72,000 MILES
The check engine light is on and the car does not want to go over 65 to 70 mph, and the rpm's wont go above 2500. We had the car checked at a car repair place and they said the themostat code was triggered and the o 2 sencor code was triggered but that neither one would be a serious issue. We are driving back to michigan from Arizona.
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Was a professional scan tool used or diyer scan tool to read the codes?Also what are the exact code numbers not code descriptions found?The two codes your talking about shouldn't case those symptoms. Have you had a exhaust back pressure test done yet?
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2005 SATURN ION
  • 10,100 MILES
Car has no power and is puttering check engine light is on.
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Have you checked the EPs fuse in the under hood fuse box?Its the square fuse with a clear top you can look thru the top of the fuse to see if its bad. Also have the car scanned for codes and let me know what the exact code numbers are not code descriptios are.
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MCGOV7130
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 SATURN ION
  • 49,500 MILES
Every so often the check engine light and the loss of power light pop up on my car and when this happens my vehicle hesitates and struggles to move when idling at a stop sign or red light. Otherwise is runs without problem once I get in motion. It is an extremely intermittent problem, as it sometimes goes away for weeks, if not a motnhs at a time before occuring again.
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So the reduced performance light comes on?If so there is a failure in the throttle by wire system. You need to get me the exact code numbers not code descriptions?
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-2
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICHARDCOUSINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 SATURN ION
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I changed the starter on saturday because it had quit. The car worked fine beforehand, with the exception of the starter. Now the car starts great but won't go over 15 - 20 mph. When I press the accelerator in park it revs a little funny, and the check engine light has come on. Could I have accidently disconnected something when replacing the starter?
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Sure, you could have. You need to have the codes read to determine why the check engine light is on and that should get you pointed in the right direction.
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MAXSOM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 SATURN ION
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
My cars engine started running rough and has no power when I try to accelerate. I can floor it and it barely goes. The rpms stay under 2,000 I also noticed that it had smoke coming from the exhaust when I take off. It does not do this all of the time though. I drove all the way to work and it didn't have any problems, but did on my way home.
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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The first thing you need to do is take it to a auto parts store and have them scan it for codes. Let me know what the exact codes are.
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MAXSOM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My check engine light is not on and the parts store said they couldn't help.
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Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 7:28 PM (Merged)

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