The Chevy Malibu is one of the best family sedans on the market. Chances are you might have experienced a ‘reduced engine power’ warning signal if you own a 2016, 2017, or 2018 model of the Chevy Malibu.
What does Engine Power Is Reduced mean on a Chevy Malibu? If you have no prior knowledge of this fault you might get scared, because this warning signal follows an immediate power loss while driving your Chevy Malibu.
In this article, we will help you understand how this fault occurs, its causes, and what to do to resolve the issue.
Let’s get started!
What Does Engine Power Is Reduced Mean on a Chevy Malibu?
The “Engine Power Is Reduced” alert on your Chevy Malibu is often a result of the accelerator pedal position sensor malfunctioning. Other reasons include the throttle body, mass airflow sensor, and bad spark plugs. It is important you have your car checked by a professional.
When the mass airflow sensor becomes bad or dirty, it can result to an unbalanced mixture, leading to the “Engine Power Reduced” warning.
The Engine Power Reduced warning signal is just like every other signal; however, it comes up when your powertrain control module (PCM) detects an underlying system failure in either your vehicle’s powertrain or transmission.
A reason you might see the engine reduced power warning signal on your dashboard is when the issue is triggered by a defective accelerator pedal position sensor, which is part of the electronic throttle actuator control (TAC) system.
Another reason why you might see the Engine Reduced Power warning signal on your dashboard is when your engine does not perform at its expected capacity. Once the PCM detects such a power drop from the engine, it automatically triggers the Engine Power Reduced warning indicator.
How to Know if You Have Engine Power is Reduced Issue on Chevy Malibu
Many symptoms can help you confirm that the vehicle is facing a reduced engine power problem even if the warning indicator light does not come on due to some malfunctions.
Some symptoms of reduced engine power on a Chevy Malibu include Reduced fuel economy, the vehicle needing more time to attain a top speed, an unusual increase in emissions output from your vehicle, and the need to apply more pressure on the throttle pedal to obtain a previous similar response.
It would be best to visit your mechanic once you notice these signs from your Chevy Malibu. Let the mechanic diagnose the vehicle to analyze your car’s condition properly.
Also Read: What Do The Toyota/Lexus VSC Off Light On Mean?
What Brings About the Engine Power Is Reduced on a Chevy Malibu?
A Bad Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor is another essential sensor that must adequately work for the engine to perform efficiently. The mass airflow sensor relates the amount of air entering the engine to the ECU.
If the mass airflow sensor malfunctions and sends wrong information, reduced engine power is bound to occur.
A Misfire During Engine Opreation
Whenever one or more cylinder does not fire, the maximum efficiency of the vehicle’s engine is reduced. Irrespective of what causes the problem, engine power is bound to be reduced.
Problem with the Throttle Body of Chevy Malibu
The throttle body of every Chevy Malibu is majorly mechanical and can develop physical faults occasionally. Since the throttle body is the gateway, allowing air inflow into the engine, a faulty one will reduce the engine’s power.
A Malfunctioning Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor
A throttle position sensor is one of the main reasons an Engine Power-Reduced warning will appear on your dashboard. This sensor is best described as a small, black one located on the backside of the accelerator pedal.
The malfunctioning of the accelerator pedal position sensor can cause a reduction in engine power because if false information is sent to ECU.
Issues with the Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are another vital component that must adequately work for the vehicle to have maximum power. The spark plug assists the air-fuel mixture to combust appropriately and create energy or power to drive the Chevy Malibu’s Engine. Even if just one spark plug malfunctions or gets covered in sooth, it could cause a drastic reduction in engine power.
Notable Issues Faced When Engine Power Is Reduced on Your Chevy Malibu
Whenever your Chevy Malibu experiences reduced engine power will negatively affect its performance. Some of the effects of engine power reduction on your Chevy Malibu include;
- A reduction in engine power will cause a drastic increase in the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere..
- An increase in fuel consumption. Increased fuel consumption leads to a rise in the cost of fueling your car.
- A reduction in engine power significantly impacts your vehicle’s acceleration ability.
How to Fix Engine Power Is Reduced on a Chevy Malibu?
If you wish to diagnose the engine power-reduced warning signal on your dashboard, some standard OBD codes are the P0223, P0123, P0122, P0221, P0222, P0121 or the P0220 code
To fix problems relating to sensors and other complex mechanical parts of a vehicle, advanced knowledge of the automobile is needed; therefore, it will be advisable not to do it yourself but instead, employ a professional mechanic’s services.
If you try to fix the issue yourself and make a mistake, You will make matters worse, costing you more money to fix.
The cost of fixing a reduced engine power on a Chevy Malibu problem can range from about $100 to $500.
Also Read: What Does BSM Mean On a Car? (Explained)
Frequently Asked Questions – What Does “Engine Power Is Reduced” Mean on a Chevy Malibu?
Can bad spark plugs cause reduced engine power?
Even if just one spark plug malfunctions or gets covered in sooth, it could cause a drastic reduction in engine power
How much does it cost to fix the reduced engine power Chevy Malibu?
The cost of fixing a reduced engine power problem can range from about $100 to $500, depending on which Vehicle components are faulty.
What causes engine power to be reduced?
Many faults in a vehicle can cause your engine power to be reduced, including a bad MAF sensor, faulty oxygen sensor, faulty accelerator pedal position sensor, poor wiring, clogged catalytic converter, or faulty throttle body.
Conclusion – What Does “Engine Power Is Reduced” Mean on a Chevy Malibu?
The reduced engine power warning signal has caused many problems for the manufacturers and users of the Chevy Malibu models of 2016 and 2018, respectively.
A class-action lawsuit was even launched against GM in 2018 for endangering the lives of its users. Even though the reduced engine power warning signal can cause a lot of headaches, it is not still impossible to repair and manage.