Question on Reduced Power Mode
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Question on Reduced Power Mode
Hi all,
Need some advice/help here. Last week, I was idling in (D)rive, chatting with another parent at my Daughter's school for a few mins. Finished up the chat and turned to accelerate and leave. Car had "Check Engine" lights on and was in Reduced Power Mode or something(can't quite remember). I limped over to curb and shut her off, sat for a min, and started her back up. There was no more reduced power, but "Check Engine" light was still on. Made it home and parked in garage, popped hood and looked around. Nothing seemed to be wrong and engine wasn't overly hot. I did a search on here and read a little about a clogged radiator. I did pull codes, but did not write them down and there were NO current ones(I do have some "No Comms". Any thoughts? Thanks
Steve
'97 with approx. 80K miles
Need some advice/help here. Last week, I was idling in (D)rive, chatting with another parent at my Daughter's school for a few mins. Finished up the chat and turned to accelerate and leave. Car had "Check Engine" lights on and was in Reduced Power Mode or something(can't quite remember). I limped over to curb and shut her off, sat for a min, and started her back up. There was no more reduced power, but "Check Engine" light was still on. Made it home and parked in garage, popped hood and looked around. Nothing seemed to be wrong and engine wasn't overly hot. I did a search on here and read a little about a clogged radiator. I did pull codes, but did not write them down and there were NO current ones(I do have some "No Comms". Any thoughts? Thanks
Steve
'97 with approx. 80K miles
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
A failing ignition switch can generate all sorts of codes plus reduced power and a check engine light. The last one I replaced on my car had similar symptoms to what you describe.
Because of the variety of codes thrown, pinpointing the ignition switch as the cause is difficult.
A good clue pointing to the ignition switch is that a shut down then restart clears most of the symptoms, but maybe not the check engine light.
Before changing or repairing the ignition switch, make sure that the battery is in very good condition and that the battery side terminals are clean and tight. FSM says 11 foot pounds for the side terminals. I don't know how you would get a torque wrench in there but make sure they are tight.
Because of the variety of codes thrown, pinpointing the ignition switch as the cause is difficult.
A good clue pointing to the ignition switch is that a shut down then restart clears most of the symptoms, but maybe not the check engine light.
Before changing or repairing the ignition switch, make sure that the battery is in very good condition and that the battery side terminals are clean and tight. FSM says 11 foot pounds for the side terminals. I don't know how you would get a torque wrench in there but make sure they are tight.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Hi all,
8VETTE7,
I pulled all my codes just now. They are as follows:
10-PCM P1518 H & P1571 H
28-TCS C1243 H & C1278 H
38-RTD No Comm
40-BCM No Codes
60-IPC No Codes
80-Radio U1016 H
99-HVAC B0361 H C & B0363 H
AO-LDCM No Codes
A1-RDCM No Codes
A6-SCM No Comm
BO-RFA No Codes
I have a '97 Auto.
Jim, thanks for your input.....I'm going to check batt connections. I just recently changed out my ignition switch for a brand new OEM one and have had no probs like this in the weeks I've had it installed. I had one instance of this happening a while back(like years ago) when I was out for a late-night drive and was again stopped, idling with engine on in drive(that was with orig ig switch). I am going to dive into cleaning ALL grounds and checking connection terminals, etc., as I am guessing this is the possible cause or greatly contributing to my gremlin! I also have a full set of factory manuals to reference to, but am a little "electrically challenged" on that end. I will report back with what I find, if anything. Thanks for the help and input on my issue!
Steve
8VETTE7,
I pulled all my codes just now. They are as follows:
10-PCM P1518 H & P1571 H
28-TCS C1243 H & C1278 H
38-RTD No Comm
40-BCM No Codes
60-IPC No Codes
80-Radio U1016 H
99-HVAC B0361 H C & B0363 H
AO-LDCM No Codes
A1-RDCM No Codes
A6-SCM No Comm
BO-RFA No Codes
I have a '97 Auto.
Jim, thanks for your input.....I'm going to check batt connections. I just recently changed out my ignition switch for a brand new OEM one and have had no probs like this in the weeks I've had it installed. I had one instance of this happening a while back(like years ago) when I was out for a late-night drive and was again stopped, idling with engine on in drive(that was with orig ig switch). I am going to dive into cleaning ALL grounds and checking connection terminals, etc., as I am guessing this is the possible cause or greatly contributing to my gremlin! I also have a full set of factory manuals to reference to, but am a little "electrically challenged" on that end. I will report back with what I find, if anything. Thanks for the help and input on my issue!
Steve
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: St Charles Illinois
Hi I'm new year and I need help...I had my car for almost a year now and I am most of the time I parked my car in the garage use it only for summer.2 months ago I start using my car and for some reason I was driving in the car stopped running to make the story short I made it home and then went to your Corvette forum and read and read so I'm thinking possible my locked ignition cylinder and the key pallet so I replaced them both.yesterday I drive my car and stop running again and I try to start it The dashboard start flicking gauges and showing low voltage, reduce pier and showing codes c1243
Last edited by Jhune1974; Apr 23, 2017 at 01:34 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
The only time I ever had the reduced power mode happen, it went away after a stop/restart. BUT it happened when I was overtaking on a two lane highway.
Definitely dangerous, IMO, to cut power for no good reason when you are on the wrong side of the road. I reported it to NHTSA at the time as a safety problem.
Definitely dangerous, IMO, to cut power for no good reason when you are on the wrong side of the road. I reported it to NHTSA at the time as a safety problem.
