I have a C5 that died at a light. It was overheated and the error message said reduced power when it died. The car has cooled down but will not start and it is saying REDUCED POWER. Can anyone tell me what that means and what I can do to make it start. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Did the engine truly overheat, or are you going just on the coolant temp indication? Check your codes, write them down...and reset.

http://www.c5forum.com/ayc/dtcdic.php

 

It did truly overheat. I saw no warning and it was running fine until it quit and the temperature gauge was buried.

 

Jack

Unless you had a cooling system failure what was the smoking gun that causes the over heat condition. Our C5 have several isues that can cause guages to PEG OUT for no reason. The reduced power problem kind of goes along with those indications.

Clear the reduced power message and read and post your DTCs

READING YOUR Engine Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC)

This procedure should be carried out any time you experience a problem with your C5. Most inexpensive store bought aftermarket code readers will ONLY read power train DTC’s. Reading the DTC’s with the C5 built in code reader will allow you to read ALL the modules in the vehicle.

The Diagnostic Display Mode is entered with the following procedure:
1) Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2) Press the RESET button to turn off any warning messages. (i.e. door open, trunk open ect)
3) Press and hold the OPTIONS button
4) While holding OPTIONS, press FUEL button four times within a 10 -second period.

Initially, the on-board diagnostics go into an Automatic Mode which will cycle through each module and shows diagnostic codes in a pre-set sequence: PCM - TCS - RTD - BCM - IPC - RADIO - HVAC - LDCM - RDCM - SCM - RFA. All codes will be displayed for each module. ( i.e. PCM = 4 codes) If none are present in a given module, you will see No More Codes on the display.

There are two types of diagnostic codes, Current and History designated with a letter suffix, “C” or “H”. A current code indicates a malfunction is present in the module displaying data. A history code indicates a problem existed sometime in the last 40 or 50 ignition cycles. When not accompanied by a current code of the same number, it's potential evidence of a previous problem, now resolved, that was not removed by clearing the codes. More likely it's an indication of an intermittent malfunction.

Intermittent codes are the most challenging of the diagnostics. An intermittent code may have happened once, may have happened more than once but is inconsistent or may be happening on a regular basis but not at the time the codes are displayed. History codes can also be caused by a current malfunction in a system that is not operating at the time codes are displayed. An example is the rear window defogger which doesn't operate until the Body Control Module detects engine rpm. For history codes set by a module that does not operate with the key on and engine off, a special diagnostic tool called a Scan Tester is necessary to properly diagnose the malfunction.

Once the system has displayed all modules, it goes into the manual mode which allows selection of each module using combinations of Driver Information Center buttons. Manual mode can also be entered during the automatic sequence by pressing any button except E/M. Once the display shows Manual Diagnostics, select a module by pressing the OPTIONS button to go forward or the TRIP button to go back. Once a module is selected, a code is displayed, and if more than one are present; press GAGES to go forward or FUEL to go back.
To exit the diagnostic mode at any time, press E/M. If you want to erase codes in a given module, press RESET To reset the codes once in manual mode, press and hold RESET until it displays NO CODES Press OPTIONS to go to the next module. Repeat the steps until you have reset the codes in all the computer modules.
NOTE!! Only reset the codes IF you want to - it is NOT necessary to do this. Clearing a code does not repair a problem. You are simply erasing the evidence of it in the module's memory. If you clear the code/s, and extinguish the Check Engine Light, your emissions status ready will NOT allow you to pass an emissions test until you have completed the required driving cycles. There are a few body module DTC’s that if set will prevent the module from operating properly. Once the DTC is cleared, the module will return to full function. This is not true for power train DTCs.

If you have never read and cleared your codes, there will probably be a lot of old history DTCs. It is recommended that you clear your codes and see if any come back during a driving cycle. Those are the ones that you need to concentrate on diagnosing.

Once you have the codes, the next question is: What to do with the information?
First, consult the factory service manual. Any serious C5 Do-It-Yourself owner should invest in the Corvette Service Manual of the appropriate model year. The Service Manual is really a requirement if you want to understand and work on your C5.

NOTE and a WARNING. You can read the DTCs while the engine is running. I pull mine up all the time while driving.
WARNING. Don’t become distracted while reading DTCs while your driving and cause an accident!!!!! Use common sense and drive safe.

These are some very good C5 Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) explanation web sites!!! They also explain how to read the DTCs

Here are some very good sites that explain what DTC mean:

http://www.gearchatter.com/viewtopic11755.php

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...d-ii-codes.php

Make sure to include the H or C suffix when you post your DTCs!!


Codes are going to point you in the correct direction for repairs.

Bill

 

two threads going on this Bill....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...the-codes.html

 

The car did not start and the codes that cannot be cleared are as follows:

1. P0606HC
2. P1518HC

Yesterday I did pick up the car after having a new throttle body, mass airflow, and intake installed by a terrific local tuner.

Thanks in advance!

 

P0606 PCM Internal Communication Interrupted
P1518 PCM to TAC Module Serial Data Circuit

I don't have a clue...start with the battery and make sure you have at least 12.5vdc with the ignition off. Hopefully Bill's got a better thoughts.

 

I'll check, but I'm pretty sure a P0606 is not recoverable.

Double checked. Based on my experience, P0606 is a kiss of death for the PCM. Sorry.

 

 

I had to google the code my ESI and DTC list didnt show it:

Heres an option:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/pcm.htm

 

Stick a fork in it. Its DONE!

Bc

 

Probably the shortest troubleshooting procedure in the service manual.

 

Thank you all very much for the terrific response to my thread. I may not like the answers and the cost, but I will take care of this tomorrow by calling my tuners and probably having a flat bed tow truck come out to bring my C5 in for repairs. Once again, THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR IN DEPTH INSTRUCTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS!

 

I'll PM you my number if you have questions.