Loss of power on the road, while driving

Tiny
LOCUSTLAB
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
Check engine light has been on a couple days. Says Service engine soon, when the code was checked it gave an improper exhaust detected. Car still ran fine though, although with a little minor rumble. Has a brand new fuel pump, but sometimes, it even fails to start normally. Then I have to sit, prime the fuel pump, and then start the car. What could be the issue? What caused me to lose power? When I lost power, the oil light on the left side came on (the red one) and the battery light came on. Hell, I even heard it happen, because suddenly, my doors unlock while driving down the road. Radio keeps going, and nothing else seems dead. Just the car itself.
Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 2:00 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

What is the exact code number? There is no code for improper exhaust.

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

Can you test the actual fuel pressure?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Roy
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Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 2:15 PM
Tiny
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Thanks, I will get on doing so tomorrow morning.
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Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
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Keep us updated.

Roy
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Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
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I have $5, 00 to my name and can't afford a pressure test O.O. I can't even lift the car. I am going have to find another way to do this.
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Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
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Most I can get is the exact code.
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Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
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P1404 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve not fully closing. Wiring, poor connections, EGR valve position sensor, EGR solenoid (Exact Code being pulled).
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Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 AT 1:21 PM
Tiny
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The most common issue with the 1404 is the EGR valve.

Roy

DTC P1404

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve position sensor is monitored by the powertrain control module (PCM). The 5-volt reference circuit, low reference circuit and the EGR valve position signal circuit are used by the PCM to determine the EGR valve position. When the ignition switch is turned ON, the PCM records the EGR Learned Minimum Position. The PCM compares the EGR Learned Minimum Position parameter to the EGR Position Sensor parameter. If the PCM detects that the EGR valve is still open when the PCM is commanding the EGR valve closed, DTC P1404 sets.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC
- The engine is running.
- The Ignition 1 Signal voltage parameter is between 11-18 volts.
- The EGR valve is commanded to 0 percent for 20 seconds after the EGR valve has been commanded to open more than 40 percent for 0.5 seconds.

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
- The EGR Position Sensor parameter is 0.2 volt more than the EGR Learned Minimum Position parameter when the Desired EGR Position parameter is commanded to 0 percent for 20 seconds.
- The EGR Position Sensor parameter is more than 40 percent and is steady for 0.5 seconds after a test failure and before the next test will be run.
- The above conditions are met 4 times.

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS
- The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
- The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC
- The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
- A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
- A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
- Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
- Inspect for excessive deposits on the EGR valve pintle or seat. Remove the EGR valve and check for deposits that may interfere with the EGR valve pintle extending completely or cause the pintle to stick.
- If the problem is intermittent, refer to intermittent Conditions. See: Computers and Control Systems > Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview > Intermittent Conditions
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+1
Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
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Thanks, this is really helpful, I appreciate it. I will go into more depth on this reread through as I try to find the EGR valve and determine if its broken or clogged. The problem isn't intermittent, although the car does (and did) have a problem starting (which is why the fuel pump was replaced) and even after replacing the fuel pump, sometimes it fails to engage, causing me to sit there and ensure that the fuel pump actually turns on when turning the car on.
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Thursday, June 20th, 2019 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Friday, June 21st, 2019 AT 1:24 AM

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