A few weeks ago, I had to buy a new car. The first day I drove my new car, I followed the navigation system’s instructions when they suddenly informed me to stop the engine from continuing.
I noticed that my car was slowing down. It was like somebody was pressing the brakes or something similar. This really made me nervous, and I started to increase the acceleration over time in order to get rid of this problem. A bit later on, my car almost stopped altogether, so I had to apply the brakes in order to keep it going.
The brakes were working but without any power in them. This was the moment when I realized that I was under attack and this may be severe malware in my car’s engine control unit (ECU).
But was it malware or something else? Let us find out how to bypass reduced engine power in this article.
What is the Meaning of Reduced Engine Power?
If you come across the “reduced engine power” message on your car’s dashboard, it means that your car can no longer operate at full capacity.
The reduced engine power error can occur for several reasons. If your turbocharger or supercharger has failed, the exhaust system is clogged with carbon deposits, the fuel injectors are faulty, the oxygen sensor is faulty, the spark plug does not work properly, or there is defective ignition wiring.
The error may also come up if you drive for too long with an overheating engine. While the error message is displayed, your car should still run at reduced power.
You will feel some decrease in acceleration, but if you ignore this warning and continue driving without looking into the problem, you risk overheating your engine and causing more serious damage. If you do not know how to fix the problem yourself, drive your car to a mechanic or dealership as soon as possible.
What are the Main Causes of Reduced Engine Power?
If you are curious why your car’s engine power light comes on while driving, don’t worry. You are definitely not alone. According to automotive engineers, there are several reasons why the reduced engine power light may illuminate in your vehicle.
- Engine Oil Level is Low
- Worn or Faulty Spark Plug
- Faulty Distributor
- Connectors
- Faulty MAF Sensor
- Loose Fuel Cap
- Car TAC System
- Oxygen Sensors
Here are some facts you may not know about this indicator.
1. Engine Oil Level is Low
If the oil level is low, your engine power light will come on, showing that your car needs more oil. This can be very dangerous for many reasons, so you should take the car to a mechanic and have them check your oil level. If it is below the safe limit, they can top off the oil for you.
2. Worn or Faulty Spark Plugs
According to most automotive engineers, if the spark plugs are worn out or faulty, they may cause engine power light illumination on your car. You should have the spark plugs replaced as soon as possible to prevent this from happening.
3. Faulty Distributor
If your distributor is faulty, it can cause engine power light illumination on your dashboard. You would need a new distributor and possibly other parts like spark plugs if they were affected by your faulty distributor to fix this issue.
4. Connectors
If the coil wire is loose, it can cause engine power light illumination on your dashboard. To fix this issue, you need to tighten up the connector at both ends of the wire and make sure there are no kinks in it that can cause short wiring. Loose wires are very dangerous for many reasons, so it is in your best interest to get them fixed ASAP.
5. Bad Mass Airflow Sensor
A faulty mass airflow sensor can cause engine power reduction light illumination on your dashboard. The MAF sensor measures the amount of airflow into the car’s engine and signals the electronic control unit (ECU) of the input.
The electric control unit ECU then uses this information to adjust the air-to-fuel ratio so that your car runs smoothly and at peak performance. This is why it is very important to replace a faulty MAF sensor as soon as possible after you notice the engine power light on your dashboard.
6. Loose Fuel Cap
A loose fuel cap is a common cause of engine power light illumination on your car. To fix this issue, tighten the gas tank’s fuel cap, and you should be good to go. A faulty gas cap can allow contaminants that will damage your fuel lines, so it is in your best interest to replace it if there is a problem.
7. Car TAC System
A throttle actuator control system is present in many modern cars. Its main function is to control fuel injection and timing. A faulty electronic fan clutch may cause it to malfunction. If it malfunctions, the car power light will come on, which can damage your engine. To fix this problem, you need to replace the faulty TAC system.
8. Oxygen Sensors
Car oxygen sensors are very important, they measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust, which determines how much fuel to inject into your engine. If an oxygen sensor malfunctions, the reduced engine power light will come on. It is recommended that you have new oxygen sensors installed as soon as you notice this problem.
How To Bypass Reduced Engine Power?
If you are wondering how to bypass reduced engine power, there are a few ways you can do this, which are explained below in detail.
1. Check Catalytic Converter
Your catalytic converter is the first place to check when you are experiencing reduced power. When the OBD monitors detect an issue with the converter, it will reduce the engine power to compensate for what it interprets as a potential problem.
You can bypass reduced engine power by simply replacing your catalytic converter while this might seem like an expensive and unnecessary step, it is definitely worth it to rule out potential issues.
2. Clean Air Filter
Your car’s intake is responsible for drawing in more oxygen, which the engine can use to burn fuel. If there is oil build-up on the valves or the seals are compromised, this will prevent oxygen from entering and reduce power. You can clean up the intake manifold by simply opening it up and brushing off the grime.
3. Check ECU
The ECU or the computer running your car has many different sensors and monitors that it uses to calculate the best way to distribute power. However, when there is a problem with one of these sensors, this will cause reduced power. You can bypass reduced engine power with the ECU by simply updating its firmware or replacing it altogether.
4. Check Sensors
Checking sensors is possibly one of the most important steps to take when you are experiencing reduced power. Sensors such as oxygen, mass airflow, and manifold absolute pressure send information about the car’s systems to the ECU, which then adjusts power accordingly.
If a sensor is failing during this process, it will send incorrect data and cause problems with how your engine runs. You’ll want to replace any damaged sensors when you are experiencing reduced engine power to rule out potential issues.
5. Repair Exhaust Leaks
If you are noticing a lack of power, it is likely that you have some exhaust leaks. A car’s engine creates high amounts of pressure while running, the exhaust system is designed to control and release this excess pressure so that your vehicle can function properly.
If there are any holes in the system due to rust or damage, it will release pressure and lead to reduced power. You can easily inspect your system for any leaks by using a solution of soap and water.
Bubbles will show you where potential problems exist- be sure to identify and repair them as soon as possible to avoid further issues with your car’s performance.
6. Check Electrical Wiring and Cables
If your car’s engine isn’t producing normal amounts of power, it is likely that you have an electrical problem. The ECU relies on signals from the battery and other parts to tell it what to do- if there are any faulty wiring or cables, this could cause problems with how the car runs. You’ll want to inspect all the wire connections and replace any damaged cables.
Conclusion
You must not ignore the reduced engine power warning light on your dashboard. Suppose your car continues to be driven with the reduced engine power warning light illuminated without taking action to correct this fault. In that case, it could result in further damage and a runaway engine that generates significant heat.
The reduced engine power warning light tells you that something is wrong with your engine’s computer control system. You must immediately reduce the engine’s power output by driving less aggressively.
Continued driving with your engine in reduced power mode could cause your vehicle to overheat, which could result in a fire. If your engine stops running, you will not have a power assist for your brakes, power steering, or power door locks. This is particularly important for people who are driving manual transmission vehicles.
If the reduced engine power light illuminates while you are driving at highway speeds, pull off the road to a safe location. Shut off your engine and do not restart it while you are on the roadway or if your vehicle is in a position that restricts your view of traffic.
Read online about how to bypass reduced engine power. Try taking your car to a mechanic as soon as possible!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost to fix reduced engine power?
Depending upon the kind of problem you are facing, it may cost between $5 and $2,000 to fix reduced engine power. If a dirty air filter causes reduced engine power mode, it will cost you only $5 to replace it. However, the replacement of a faulty catalytic converter will cost you about $2,000.
How do I reset my reduced engine power light?
There is only one best way to reset the reduced engine power light, and that is to resolve the underlying issue. In most cases, the reduced engine power light goes off after a certain period of driving time.
