Traction control with reduced engine power

Tiny
SBENNETT6585
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
I have the car listed above supercharged. For quite some time now it has been throwing the traction control light and then immediately going into reduced engine power mode. I can pull over turn off the car wait until the emission lights go off and then start the car and it's fine again. Sometimes for a mile down the road sometimes it might not do it again for a day or two sometimes it might do it five times in a row within five miles. Seems to do it more when it is cold outside or raining or windy some type of weather, however it still doesn't when it is nice and warm just not as frequent. This has been going on for over a year now and I cannot figure out what it is. It has slowly progressively gotten worse. Please help thank you. PS: I am decently mechanically inclined just not an expert.
Monday, March 4th, 2019 AT 8:16 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

When the traction control goes active, it will limit the cars speed and engine RPM. If the wheels are not slipping or you are on dry pavement, the system has a fault.

Here is a video to help you

https://youtu.be/rTtAnsOlZU4

It is part of the ABS system. there should be a code stored in the module. You can go to a parts store and have the code read for free.

Let me know the code and we can continue.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 AT 3:36 AM
Tiny
SBENNETT6585
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
I have the car listed above supercharged. For quite some time now it has been throwing the traction control light and then immediately going into reduced engine power mode.(Limp mode). I can pull over turn off the car wait until the emission lights go off and then start the car and it's fine again. Sometimes for a mile down the road sometimes it might not do it again for a day or two sometimes it might do it five times in a row within five miles. Seems to do it more when it is cold outside or raining or windy some type of weather, however it still doesn't when it is nice and warm just not as frequent. This has been going on for over a year now and I cannot figure out what it is. It has slowly progressively gotten worse. Please help thank you. Could a bad CV be causing this?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good afternoon,

When the trac light comes on, the engine will be limited to RPM and speed.

There is a fault in the ABS system for this issue.

Does this happen on dry roads or snowy roads?

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SBENNETT6585
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
On the emissions screen it says reduced engine power. Happens more on the highway in all conditions.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Correct. You need to have the codes checked in the ABS section of the modules.

Most likely the ABS module is the issue for this condition.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Did you send a response? I got notified and nothing came through.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
SBENNETT6585
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I believe you asked "if it happens more in the snow". It happens in all weather, seems more so in rain, snow, and wind. But it also does it in perfect weather. It seems to do it more on the highway also. Could a bad CV joint cause this to happen? By the way, I appreciate your help. Thank you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
No to the axle. This sounds like an ABS module issue.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 12:15 AM
Tiny
SBENNETT6585
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
What is the ABS module? Is it repairable?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
No, it is not repairable. It has to be replaced.

Roy

Electronic Brake Control Module Replacement

Removal Procedure

Caution: Refer to Brake Fluid Irritant Caution in Service Precautions.

Notice: Refer to Brake Fluid Effects on Paint and Electrical Components Notice in Service Precautions.

Notice: To prevent equipment damage, never connect or disconnect the wiring harness connection from the EBCM with the ignition switch in the ON position.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Remove the fuel injector sight shield, 3.8L engine only.
3. Remove the front fender upper diagonal brace.
4. Disconnect the accelerator and cruise control cable from the accelerator control cable bracket.
5. Disconnect the cruise control module from the left strut tower. It is not necessary to remove the cable from the module. Position the module and cables aside.
6. Remove the air cleaner intake duct.

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

7. Disengage the locking tab (1) from the electronic brake control module (EBCM) harness connector.
8. Disconnect the EBCM harness connector.
9. Remove any dirt/debris from the assembly.

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

10. Remove the 6 EBCM to brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) retaining bolt/screws.

Important: Do not pry apart using a tool. Be careful not to damage BPMV surface.

Important: Care must be taken not to damage the solenoid valves when the EBCM is removed from the BPMV.

11. Separate the EBCM (1) from the BPMV (4) by gently pulling apart until separated.
12. Disconnect the pump motor connector (3) at the bottom of the EBCM.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 3:38 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
I see again you responded but nothing came through.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Do you have any other questions?

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
SBENNETT6585
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Thank you very much. I guess ill start by replacing that seems how your response you seem to be pretty sure about. Anywhere else that I have looked for an answer, everyone has about ten different possibility's and no first guess. So thank you and I hope your advise works. Thanks again. I will definitely let you know the outcome for your future knowledge. Is there any thing special or trick that I should know about while replacing this. I know some of these 2000 and up vehicles have certain out of the ordinary procedures that must be done to service certain things? Thanks again
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You are welcome.

This is a straight forward replacement. No tricks or special procedures at all.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
SBENNETT6585
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Okay, another question. For the first time yesterday. My wife was letting the car warm up. Sitting in it and revving it up it did the same thing. First time it has ever done it. Usually we could let the car sit at idle warming up for hours at a time and it never did that but yesterday she was sitting in a revving it up and it did it to her. Could that help on a diagnosis possibly?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Got it.

Please define the same thing? I do not know what you are referring to for that.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
SBENNETT6585
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Traction control light disabled with car going into reduced engine power mode (limp mode). You said that you thought it was the ABS module. I didn't know if maybe that would narrow it down since the car did it at idle while warming up revving it up giving it gas.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Have you replaced the module?

Does the Trac light come on at idle?

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
SBENNETT6585
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Haven't replaced the module yet. The reduced engine power warning on the screen comes on and the car goes into limp mode at the same time that the traction control light comes on. And yes it done it while she was warming up the car. Not at idle but while she was revving it up.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You need to start somewhere. I would start with the ABS module.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Computer Limp Mode - Reduced Power Content

Reduced Power - Limp Mode
GUIDE
Reduced Power - Limp Mode
The com­puter sys­tem that con­trols your car has a built in safety fea­ture called "Re­duced Power" or "Limp Mode" which is de­signed to get the car where it is...
VIEW MORE