2007 Chevrolet Impala LS Sedan New Cars Logo
Posted on May 28, 2010
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Reduced engine power on

Getting "service traction control" message. The check engine light is on and it feels like its trying to apply the ABS while sitting still. on the dash board it displays reduced engine power. Car doesnt run the same. please help?

1 Answer

Joseph Prosser

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Master 780 Answers
  • Posted on May 28, 2010
 Joseph Prosser
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Apr 15, 2010
Answers
780
Questions
0
Helped
411420
Points
2711

The traction control uses the speed sensor in the transmission and the wheel speed sensors to determine wheel spin. If a wheel spins braking is applied to it so that the power can be transferred to the other wheels. At some point the ECU detected a gross disagreement between the sensors and so as a precaution has entered into a limp home mode. On some systems if the fault is in error it can be cleared by putting the car into drive and moving forward a meter, putting in reverse and going a back a meter and doing this three times. If one or other of the sensors are faulty this process will not allow the error to be cleared. You need to check or have checked the error codes and the speed sensors.

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Check engine and service traction control light on in 3rd limp mode

Check engine light on , check DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes ! Check Engine Light On If not familiar with this take it to a ASE certified repair shop or dealer . 3rd limp mode ? Do you have a message in the DIC - driver information center , reduced power mode ?
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
Engine Control Module Description for the 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L engine
0helpful
1answer
0helpful
1answer

What does "Reduced Power, Traction Fault" mean?

GM's power strategy will reduce power if it doesn't see proper charging. It does this to conserve battery power by shutting off non-essential electrical accessories. It can also mean that the traction control system is reducing engine power to avoid a skid. The traction control system gets input data from the wheel speed sensors to figure out if you're entering a skid or the wheels are locking up. One way to get you out of the skid is to reduce engine power or pump your ABS brakes. In your case you should get the trouble codes read. An ABS or traction code code could be a C, U or B code which can't be seen by a cheap scan tool or the tools they use at auto parts stores. GM had major problems with the ABS wheel speed sensors built into the wheel bearing hubs in these vehicles. The fix involved replacing the hub. So get the codes read by a pro scanner to find out which wheel sensor is setting the code. Then do the fix. Also, the P0128 is usually caused by a bad thermostat. Fix that first, because if the engine doesn't get up to operating temperature, the computer can limit some features.
Read these posts for more trouble code information
http://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/p0128/
http://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/abstcs-light/
0helpful
1answer

Tow messages appear on the dash board: Service traction control and Engine power reduced. When this happen I can feel the shift in the transmission when I'm driving. After a while these messages d

Pretty much tells you the system with the fault

Traction Control is embedded into the abs braking
system, so diagnose that using the codes you have,
same as any other obd codes you get

The Reduced Power could be another problem & it
cuts off fuel injectors to save the exhaust converter
from overheating & being ruined
0helpful
1answer

2006 chevy impala traction control

Reduced power is a problem with electronic throttle contol . drive by wire . Do you know what this is ? Taking the vehicle an having it hooked up to diagnostic tool an checking for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes is always a first step when trying to find the root cause of any trouble light ! And not auto zone , pep boys , or advance auto parts . Thier diagnostic tool will not check codes in all system control modules .
3helpful
3answers

98 mazda millenia traction control keeps turning on and the engine cuts off randomly

The traction control system senses wheel spin from either drive wheel. Excessive spin sensed by the ABS sensor will force the wheel that is spinning to brake to avoid loss of traction. You could have a faulty ABS sensor (wheel speed sensor) As far as the engine "cutting off" Do you mean that it shuts off completely or you cannot accelerate?
5helpful
3answers
9helpful
1answer

I have a wrench with a car swerving light up every once in awhile but I have no idea what it means and I have no idea what stabilitrak is

{: ) A car swerving light on the instrument cluster is the StabiTrak indicator, sometimes called the traction control indicator. A wrench beside it tells it requires servicing.

Your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak, which combines antilock brake, traction and stability control systems and helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.
Traction control activates when the controller senses wheel spin. StabiliTrak will selectively apply the brakes and reduce engine torque to help regain traction.
Stability control activates when the controller senses a discrepancy between your intended path and the direction the vehicle is travelling. StabiliTrak selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle's brakes to help guide the vehicle in the direction which you are steering.
When you first start your vehicle and begin to drive away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to insure there are no problems. You may hear or feel the system working. This is normal and does not mean there is a problem with your vehicle. If driving conditions delay system initialization, the STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be displayed. If this is the case, your vehicle does not need servicing.
When the StabiliTrak system is both on and actively controlling the stability of the vehicle, the StabiliTrak light will blink for the duration of the event.
You may also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.
StabiliTrak will turn off automatically if a problem is detected in the system. The StabiliTrak light will come on and SERVICE STABILITRAK will be displayed on the DIC. For vehicles without a DIC, the StabiliTrak light and the StabiliTrak service light will both come on. If the SERVICE STABILITRAK message (or StabiliTrak service light) does not clear itself after restarting the vehicle, you should see your dealer for service.
0helpful
1answer

Getting reduced engine power message

dont take the trip!
be smart and take it in to whoever fixed your air hose.
7helpful
5answers

Traction Control Off and Service ABS System

If your trac and abs are both on. the problem could be a wheel speed sensor.
on some GM cars this sensor is built into the vehichles hub unit. making the bering and sensor one sealed unit. cheap hub units can be gotten (under 100 bucks) at autozone
Not finding what you are looking for?

1,226 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Chevrolet Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

john h

Level 3 Expert

29494 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Are you a Chevrolet Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...