Low engine power

Tiny
REGINA0104
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
The vehicle is saying low engine power and does not want to run. It is running bad all of a sudden. What does this mean and what am I suppose to have looked at or done to it? Thanks Mrs, Lang
Tuesday, February 17th, 2015 AT 1:26 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Mrs. Lang:
If the vehicle can be driven safely, take it to a nationally recognized parts store and have them scan the computer. Most will do it for free. Once you do that, let me know what trouble codes are found.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

That will point me in the right direction to guide you. Otherwise, there are several things that can cause this problem and I may confuse you or recommend something that may not need done.

If you can do this, let me know what is found.
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Tuesday, February 17th, 2015 AT 6:57 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Just to add to this one if it says reduce performance on the dash there is a problem in the throttle by wire system. Instead of a cable from your gas pedal there are wires that operate your throttle. When the computer sees a problem with the throttle by wire system it puts your car in limp mpde for your safety. It retards the timing etc so your car doesn't race out of control even if the throttle is wide open. If it doesnt see a problem next key cycle it will go back to normal operation.
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Friday, February 20th, 2015 AT 6:51 AM
Tiny
MIKESTAPLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 17,000 MILES
I have a 2006 cobalt while driving it it just seem to shut down had no power got a misfire code dealer said they found water in fuel they put fresh gas in it and a bottle of heet plugs and new plugs car fine for a few days filled tank up at a different station and it did it again they say that theres something in the fuel again what else could be causing this and how do I fix it they won't do it under warranty fuel they say the fuel is the problem
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
Must flush the entire fuel system. Heet will not work.
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNMM2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 140,000 MILES
My 06 Chevy Coblat was running fine this morning, but when I got in it last time, it took 3 tries to turn it on, the check engine light flashed, the engine was making a loud noise, it idled really ruff, and when I accelerated it felt like there was no power?

I checked my fluid levels, they were fine. I haven't done anything else.

Thanks for this site!
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The check engine light is on?If so we need to start by going to the auto parts store and have them scan the car for codes. Let me know the exact the code numbers not code descriptions.
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNMM2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Is it safe to drive it to an auto parts store like that?
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Is the car running and shifting good?
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNMM2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No it's not. It's running very ruff
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LO-LEACH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
My car died this evning and I thought it was becaulse the battery died, due to my friend leaving the lights on. So I had my friend jumpstart the car. After this happened the car started and began to sputter as though the engin was missing. Like one of the spark pluggs went bad and one of the pistons was not firing right. Me and my girl friend just got home. The car had a read out that stated engin power was low. What does that mean. We had no power and it took about a mile and a half to get the car to it's max speed of 45 miles per hour. And I mean with the gas peddel to the floor the intire time. Somebody tell me whats wrong with my car.
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Start by checking battery terminals
start and check charging system
have it scanned for codes
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If its running very rough then no I woudnt. See if the auto parts store rents the code readers.
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERIC2319
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 100,000 MILES
Loss of power
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
You need to have the codes read and post the numbers here.
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACGHOS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 68,000 MILES
Toda I was driving along about 40 mph and my car shut down when I restarted it it flashed a code saying engine power reduced
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
That is called "Limp mode". This occurs when the computer detects a potential problem that could cause damage to your engine.

This should've turned on your check engine light. Have your computer scanned for codes. If you'd like me to walk you through the descriptions and any repair procedures, write back.
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REDHEADGUY2001
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 27,000 MILES
I bought a 2006 cobalt ss supercharged with a stage 2 kit about a month ago, it only has 27000 miles on it, looked super clean and had religious maintainence records.

I was out driving it with my buddy and I pushed it up to 6.5k rpms in 5th for about 5 seconds, a burnt metal smell started coming in through the vents so I slowed back down and the metal smell went away after about 20 seconds. I pulled over and could smell it outside the car, I opened the hood and everything looked fine, nothing leaking, belts all looked okay, just the smell.

I took it home and everything seemed okay, except for that smell, which doesnt come inside the car anymore, but I can smell it when I get out.

I went to drive it today and noticed it had like no power, I had to give it a fair amount of gas to get it to go 30 and it sounds really revvy. So I took it back home.

Any thoughts on what is wrong?
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
If you are not getting any boost, it is most likely the supercharger, possible bearing, oil supply.
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TUNNELRIC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It sounds like you smoked your clutch.
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AUTOBOT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • 72,564 MILES
My 2006 chevy cobalt lt 4cyl. 2.2 liter ecotec is having engine malfuntion. While I was driving, my car suddenly shuddered and then a engine under powered signal came on. Followed by the engine light and the traction control light. After I got it stopped it was running extremely rough. Any thoughts?
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Monday, March 11th, 2019 AT 1:01 PM (Merged)

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