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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.
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Monday, March 4th, 2019 AT 8:16 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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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
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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?
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
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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
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
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On the emissions screen it says reduced engine power. Happens more on the highway in all conditions.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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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
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
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Did you send a response? I got notified and nothing came through.

Roy
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
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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.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
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No to the axle. This sounds like an ABS module issue.

Roy
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Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 12:15 AM
Tiny
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What is the ABS module? Is it repairable?
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Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
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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
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Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 3:38 AM
Tiny
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I see again you responded but nothing came through.

Roy
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Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
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Do you have any other questions?

Roy
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Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
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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
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Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

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

Roy
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Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
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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?
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Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
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Got it.

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

Roy
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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.
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Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
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Have you replaced the module?

Does the Trac light come on at idle?

Roy
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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.
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Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
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You need to start somewhere. I would start with the ABS module.

Roy
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Friday, March 8th, 2019 AT 5:33 PM

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Related Engine Computer Limp Mode - Reduced Power Content

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