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Engine power reduced - Limp mode?

Tiny
JBLAIR09
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 2.5L
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
The reduced engine power keeps coming on every time I start my car. I can drive the car fine but after driving it for so long the code pops up again. Every once in a while the A/C turned off due to high engine temp will come on as well, and I can’t use my air conditioner because of it. I drive my car for while, shut it off and the fans are still running for about 5-10 minutes after I shut the car off, and is now causing my battery to drain because they run every time I shut my car off.
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Sunday, October 6th, 2019 AT 6:12 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi,

You vehicle is overheating slowly. The AC shutting off and reduced engine power are all strategies to keep the engine from overheating to the point of failing and needing an engine. The fans continuing to run when you shut it off is also a way to cool the engine quickly so that it doesn't get damaged.

We need to check the coolant level first and foremost and then start looking for the reason of it overheating.

Here is a guide that will get us started. Let me know what you find and we can go from there. Thanks

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-an-overheating-engine
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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
AJWURR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 68,000 MILES
I got off the highway and my Traction Service light came on, my check engine light came on, and words popped up that said reduced engine power. My car was not moving fast at all. After I came to a stop sign and drove off, the traction service light and the reduced engine power stopped. Now the only light left on was the check engine light. I have read a few things online and people said that it could be electrical or a bad sensor. My one mechanic told me I should be fine to drive my car home from work (15 minutes of stop and go traffic) but he said that if the check engine light starts blinking to pull over right away.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,384 POSTS
Yes this happens when the throttle bore becomes dirty after miles of usage. Here is a guide that will help you fix the limp mode problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/reduced-power-limp-mode

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PDT1973
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks for this post I had this problem and followed the guide, All set! I love this site.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LPRUITT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 0.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • 100 MILES
My car constantly engine power reduces, and on my dashboard it displays ESC off, traction off and engine power reduced. I just replaced my throttle position sensor on my car yesterday, but that did not help. What do I need to do to fix my car? In the winter, lights will flash and then it shut off. One time my car would not even start when it was cold outside.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

The reduced power could be caused by the throttle position sensor, the connector, or the pedal sensor.

There is usually a code set for this in the PCM. If I can get this code it will narrow the area of failure.

You can get it checked for free at a parts store.

Roy
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LPRUITT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I just replaced the throttle position sensor as well as the pedal.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, the next step is to check the voltages at both the throttle position sensor as well as the pedal sensor.

Do you have a voltmeter to do some checks?

Roy
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID SEBASTIAN KILGORE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • V6
  • 250,000 MILES
Went into limp mode. Codes poo3o, poo36. Code poo5o, poo56, Po 443, uo 1o7, and traction control is on.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

I attached a guide for the limp mode for you to view.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/reduced-power-limp-mode

The 30,36,50 and 56 are the same for no voltage to the O2 sensor heaters.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

There is a power issue to the O2 sensors and we need to do some voltage testing.

Let me know when you can do the testing so we can find the issues.

The 107 is for the purge valve for the evaporative system. I attached the procedure and a picture for you.

Roy

EVAPORATIVE EMISSION (EVAP) CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID VALVE REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL PROCEDURE

imageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

1. Disconnect the evaporative emission (EVAP) canister purge valve electrical connector.
2. Disconnect the EVAP canister purge pipe from the EVAP canister purge valve.
3. Remove the EVAP canister purge valve bolt.
4. Remove the EVAP canister purge valve from the intake manifold.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

imageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

1. Position the EVAP canister purge valve to the intake manifold.
2. Install the EVAP canister purge valve bolt.

NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Tighten the bolt to 10 N.m (89 lb in).

3. Connect the EVAP canister purge pipe to the EVAP canister purge valve.
4. Connect the EVAP canister purge valve electrical connector.

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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID SEBASTIAN KILGORE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It will be late this evening before I can get to it. And I will get back to you. Thanks
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, sounds good. We will be here.

Roy
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID SEBASTIAN KILGORE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Cleaned the throttle body, was nasty, but didn't help. Replaced the power train relay. Problem gone for now.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Did you clear the codes?

That would have nothing to do with the purge valve at all.

Roy
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID SEBASTIAN KILGORE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes, stayed cleared.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, for now. They most likely will return.

Roy
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAVI GARCIA2223
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 68,000 MILES
My malibu 05 keeps showing engine power reduce n it wont accelerate. What can it be?
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
That means it's having a problem with the "drive by wire" electronic throttle system. It will default to half throttle when it sees an issue. The first step is having the codes read and they will give the tech a starting point to find the cause.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KPIASINI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,000 MILES
My 2005 Chevrolet Malibu gives the message of engine reduced power and runs rough (vibrates). Do you know what could be wrong?
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MEMBER
  • 901 POSTS
These vehicles have a TAC (throttle acuated control) module, alot of times these modules fail resulting in the reduced power, that would be my guess without knowing the diagnostic codes from your car. Hope this helps.
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)

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