The reduced engine power warning light is one of the most misunderstood lights on a car. It often confuses drivers because it comes on at different times and for many various reasons. This article will help you understand what reduced engine power means to know when to take action.

What is the reduced engine power warning light?

The reduced engine power warning light shows that something has reduced the flow of fuel and/or air to the engine. It often turns on when a car needs maintenance or repair and doesn’t mean your vehicle is about to break down, but it could be a good time for an oil change.

Sometimes reduced engine power can also turn on when there is debris blocking one of the air intake valves. In that case, the reduced engine power light will come on and stay on until you fix it.

Why might the reduced engine power warning light turn on?

If the reduced engine power light comes on, it’s best to take your car in for a diagnostic. It might be something as simple as an air filter that needs to be changed, but it could also be more serious.

The reduced engine power warning light comes on for different reasons, including low fuel level, high coolant temperature, and reduced oil pressure. Here are a few more reasons why your reduced engine power light can go on.

Circuit issues

When you have damaged wires and bad connections, this prevents the TAC (Throttle Actuator Control) system from operating normally. This issue can result in several problems with a vehicle, including entering the reduced engine power mode.

Faulty throttle and pedal position sensor

Any problem within the TAC system can cause the reduced engine power warning light to go on. One of the more common reasons includes one or both APP sensors in the accelerator pedal or the pair of TP sensors.

Data network or PCM issues

Some older vehicles have modules that serve as mini-computers. These modules communicate with each other through a data network. When this network gets interrupted, or the PC has issues, the reduced engine power warning light will go on.

Engine performance problems

If your reduced power warning light goes on, there’s a big chance something is “mechanically” wrong with your engine. For example, a faulty high-pressure fuel pump can cause your engine power to reduce. In such cases, the warning light will go on.

Other issues

The reduced engine power warning can also mean your car is running too lean or rich. This can be due to a dirty air filter, vacuum leaks in hoses, an obstructed fuel line (or something else that’s restricting the flow of fuel).

What to do when the reduced engine power warning light is on

This question has a very straightforward answer – you get it diagnosed and fixed straight away. Taking it to an expert mechanic will make the affair faster as they can give you the proper diagnosis and suggest a fix right away.

Don’t panic if you’re driving and the reduced engine power warning light comes on. It’s not the end of the world, but you should probably pull over somewhere safe and call your mechanic before driving any further.

Where To Go For Engine Repair In Atlanta

If you are in Atlanta, and your reduced engine power warning light is on, you might want to go to T3 Atlanta and have one of our mechanics check your vehicle out.

T3 Atlanta is a trusted name in anything car repair-related in Atlanta. Our shop specializes in Nissan, Toyota, Lexus, and Infiniti cars. We understand that the reduced engine power warning light looks scary when it goes on, so we do our best to help you fix the underlying problem. Give us a call today!