Code P228D engine reduce power

CHADB819

MEMBER
2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

Hi, I have been dealing with a number of issues with this car. When driving down highway the car will go into low power mode or engine reduce power. There is a loud ticking sound coming from engine and it is idling very rough. Took it to shop and was told it was a bad timing chain. We replaced the timing chain and balancing chain because the tensioner broke. After repair, the noise is still there and we are still getting a message of “engine reduce power” while idling rough. A new code came up after repair of timing chain - p228d. Have you experienced any of this and do you have any recommendations? Thank you for your time!

5 Replies

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

I've attached information/description below for that code including step-by-step diagnostic instructions. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

Images (Click to make bigger)

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+4

Friday, October 11th, 2019 AT 3:09 PM

CHADB819

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for your reply. Is there anyway someone could just break this down into lamest terms for me and tell me exactly what is wrong with this car? What I need to buy to fix said problem? I appreciate the breakdown but it seems very advanced to actually understand what the issue is. I just want someone to tell me in English what I need to get this fixed. Please simplify this for me if possible. I am pulling my hair out trying to research this! Thank you.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, October 11th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

Basically what is happening is the fuel pressure is too high and the ECM is detecting this putting the car into 'limp mode". You will need to have both the ECM, fuel pump actuator, and fuel pressure sensor tested to verify which is causing the fault. Hope this helps you better understand. Thanks again for using 2CarPros and let me know if you have any further questions.

Danny-

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+3

Friday, October 11th, 2019 AT 5:00 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
113 POSTS

Actually you need a professional scan tool which most shops have. So they can test the fuel pump to see if it's working right. It may not which can be caused by a worn camshaft or something you did when you replaced the timing chain like maybe not installing the chain correctly or not advancing the cam phaser or checking for plugged screens for phaser.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+2

Friday, October 11th, 2019 AT 5:04 PM

BMDOUBLE

MECHANIC
1,139 POSTS

The fuel line pressure sensors fail pretty frequently on these cars and is located in the driver side front (LF) wheel well where the fuel lines come up from the lower body (remove tire for best access). The sensor will be biased at a high reading when the actual pressure is lower thus not regulating the fuel trim correctly and making for a rough idle, lack of power and several other symptoms. You can verify this with a scan tool that has the capability to look at sensor parameters at idle. The Ford fusion has the same fuel system and I replace lots and lots and lots of these sensors. Not saying that this is what's wrong with yours, but if it is an original sensor to the vehicle and if it were my car, I would replace it just for preventative maintenance reasons.

Image (Click to make bigger)