What does engine power reduced mean on the Chevy Impala? If you were wondering, wonder no more, I will answer that in this post. The Chevy Impala has proven to be one of the best sedans on the market though without its fair share of problems.
Equipped with a decent interior space, luxurious finishes, and a great design for its price point, there is a lot to be desired about the Chevy Impala. One of the problems that it’s known for though is the engine power reduction issue. What is it and what causes it?
In short, Engine power is reduced in the Chevy Impala due to the accelerator pedal position sensor malfunctioning, dirty injectors, bad throttle body, and Mass air flow sensor. The result is reduced power output from the engine. You will see an “Engine Power Reduced” warning on your dash.
Unlike older cars that use a cable accelerator system, newer vehicles use a sensor that translates the pressure you place on the accelerator pedal electronically to the engine. Unfortunately, the sensors sometimes fail and do not send the signal to the engine. This is the case in the Chevy Impala when this happens.
Chevy Impala Overview
The Chevy Impala is a full-sized sedan that has been in production since 1958. It was first introduced as a top-of-the-line model and became popular with police departments around the country. The name “Impala” comes from an African antelope, which is known for its beauty and grace. The Impala was also known for its cushion and comfortable ride and spacious interior.
What is the Effect of an Engine Power Reduction?
The accelerator pedal sensors are a part of the vehicle’s Electronic Unit (ECU) which is responsible for receiving, interpreting, and activating the relevant component based on the input from the sensors.
Though there are several advantages of this advancement in-vehicle technology, there are also drawbacks associated with the ECU. One of these issues is that there are usually some system malfunctions.
The reduced engine power message is actually a protective mechanism designed to protect your engine in situations where there may be significant damage to the engine or any of its components.
What Causes Chevy Impala to Show “Engine Power Reduction”?
There could be several causes of the “engine power reduction” error message popping up and they are all associated with the ECM.
The ECM works with pedal position sensors and throttle position sensors to establish the position and the force applied to the accelerator to release more air into the engine. Either of these failures could lead to an error message showing. Let’s look at these closer.
Faulty Pedal Position Sensor: one or both the sensors could be faulty leading to inaccurate or no data being communicated to the ECM. Faulty Throttle Position Sensor: Just like with the pedal position sensors, if one or both of these is faulty, power to the engine will be reduced.
Circuitry Problems: Faulty wires or poor connections can all play a part leading to wrong or inaccurate data reaching the engine.
Clogged fuel injectors: The fuel injectors are responsible for spraying the correct amount of fuel into the engine. If they are clogged with dirt or debris, this will prevent them from working properly and could lead to an error message.
Bad MAF sensor: The Mass Air Flow sensor is used to measure the amount of air being sucked into the engine. If this is faulty or clogged up with dirt, it will prevent the car from working properly.
Faulty Throttle Position Sensor: Just like with the pedal position sensors, if one or both of these is faulty, power to the engine will be reduced.
How do you fix a Chevy Impala Engine power reduction issue?
Unless the problem is too complex follow these steps you should be able to fix your problem easily:
- Check The Cables
- Check Sensors
- Fuel Injectors
- Check The Throttle
- Check the Airflow Sensor
- Check the Electric Control Unit
- Check on Catalytic Converter
- Check Battery
- Check on the Transmission Fluid
Depending on what part of the vehicle has the problem, fixing it could cost anywhere from $100 to $500. In some instances, it’s as simple as cleaning the throttle body and getting your vehicle out of Reduced Power Mode.
Fixing such an issue requires more complex and advanced technical equipment, people who prefer performing making these fixes tend to not have the requisite tools to do it perfectly.
Instead of wasting time and money trying to fix the issue by yourself, in most cases, it’s more effective to have professionals handle the job for you. A reputable repair shop can get the Reduced Power warning to stay off—and that will get you back on the road.
Conclusion
Reduced Power Mode is a common issue that can be resolved in many different ways. Whether you’re a DIYer or not, it’s important to know what causes the warning light to come on and how to fix your vehicle when it does.
If you can’t figure out the issue, then you should have your vehicle inspected by a professional. It may be a simple fix or something more complex that requires a chevy dealer.
Tomas is a retired Chevy Auto Technician that brings decades of hands-on experience and expertise to the table. He’s also a father to two incredible daughters. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help you solve and find reliable information on Chevrolet vehicles. Whether it’s troubleshooting engine problems or providing tips for maintenance, Thomas is committed to helping Chevy owners keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.
