Reduced Power Warning
Discussion
"MALFUNCTION"
"SAFETY MODE"
"REDUCED POWER"
The engine warning graphic and a triangle containing exclamation mark
also flashed on.
Messages you DO NOT WANT to see on the dashboard display!
The REDUCED POWER is the most alarming. Negotiating roundabouts at
walking pace is not good!
In this mode maximum speed is 40mph and acceleration time to reach this
speed can be measured in minutes.
Not much fun on minor roads, scary on dual carriageways and motorways.
This malfunction kicks in at approximately 2500rpm+ and i quickly found
the best way to keep moving is turn the ignition off for a few seconds
then re-start the engine and continue driving using 2000rpm max.
Prior to this it was looking like my car would need to be recovered!
Many thanks to Monkfish (forever helpfull) for checking the engine pcm
which showed no fault codes while the car was in fault mode, indicating
the problem was with one of the other pcm's and the car needed checking
with Vauxhalls tech2 software.
So from London to Monkfish to Derby yesterday. Still 90 miles from home
and Derby dealers too busy to do a 10 minute tech2 test, despite prior
notification and explaining that the fault (when triggered) left the
vehicle undriveable!
I decline the offer of leaving the car with them untill
tuesday before they can even take a look, offering a corsa in exchange
but changed to a vectra after complaint.
I turned the music up and cruised from Derby to Manchester without
problem, other than boredom through the Peak District, at 2000rpm.
The car goes back to Derby on tuesday(possibly till friday on my return
from London) and i will post the outcome next week!
I have searched the forum for info on this particular fault unsuccesfuly.
If anybody has experienced a similar problem i am sure everybody would
be interested as to the possible causes.
"SAFETY MODE"
"REDUCED POWER"
The engine warning graphic and a triangle containing exclamation mark
also flashed on.
Messages you DO NOT WANT to see on the dashboard display!
The REDUCED POWER is the most alarming. Negotiating roundabouts at
walking pace is not good!
In this mode maximum speed is 40mph and acceleration time to reach this
speed can be measured in minutes.
Not much fun on minor roads, scary on dual carriageways and motorways.
This malfunction kicks in at approximately 2500rpm+ and i quickly found
the best way to keep moving is turn the ignition off for a few seconds
then re-start the engine and continue driving using 2000rpm max.
Prior to this it was looking like my car would need to be recovered!
Many thanks to Monkfish (forever helpfull) for checking the engine pcm
which showed no fault codes while the car was in fault mode, indicating
the problem was with one of the other pcm's and the car needed checking
with Vauxhalls tech2 software.
So from London to Monkfish to Derby yesterday. Still 90 miles from home
and Derby dealers too busy to do a 10 minute tech2 test, despite prior
notification and explaining that the fault (when triggered) left the
vehicle undriveable!
I decline the offer of leaving the car with them untill
tuesday before they can even take a look, offering a corsa in exchange
but changed to a vectra after complaint.
I turned the music up and cruised from Derby to Manchester without
problem, other than boredom through the Peak District, at 2000rpm.
The car goes back to Derby on tuesday(possibly till friday on my return
from London) and i will post the outcome next week!
I have searched the forum for info on this particular fault unsuccesfuly.
If anybody has experienced a similar problem i am sure everybody would
be interested as to the possible causes.
I think Paul and Brian will remember when I had this fault and it seemed intermittent.
I called out AA cos car was literally leaping about on the driveway at idle, with very erratic revs. Completely undrivable and that same scarey warning code. AA guy started it and it leaped about and he just scratched his head and admitted that he didnt have a clue what was wrong.
Left the car for a day on the driveway and started it up the following day without any problem at all, but the same code was there. Got it to Greens, slowly and carefully, and all that appeared to be wrong was the oil level. It needed a far bit. After that and with careful observation of oil levels since, I have never had the message again.
Might be worth looking at!!
I called out AA cos car was literally leaping about on the driveway at idle, with very erratic revs. Completely undrivable and that same scarey warning code. AA guy started it and it leaped about and he just scratched his head and admitted that he didnt have a clue what was wrong.
Left the car for a day on the driveway and started it up the following day without any problem at all, but the same code was there. Got it to Greens, slowly and carefully, and all that appeared to be wrong was the oil level. It needed a far bit. After that and with careful observation of oil levels since, I have never had the message again.
Might be worth looking at!!
VXR_Daz said:
Aren't they something stupid like about £10k?
The last time I looked they were less then but I looked quite hard as I wanted to compliment the rest of my GM toolkit. I decided it was far to expensive (for me) and not likely to get a huge amount of use so hard to recoup the costs. There just aren't enough vettes & monaro's on the road.
Boosted.
I think there are several makes of Tech 2. Whatever you look for you have to ask which vehicles it covers otherwise it'll be a normal unit. I doubt this unit will cover the monaro so questions would have to be asked beforehand. Maybe the GTO specs would be the same?
The sellers don't say what 'the support costs' so it may not be loaded up.
Boosted.
The sellers don't say what 'the support costs' so it may not be loaded up.
Boosted.
Edited by boosted Ls1 on Saturday 11th November 23:55
To add to the list of fault messages today i also saw the vehicle
body graphic containing the message :-
"Service Vehicle Very Soon"
To clear the fault the ignition needs to be turned off for 5sec.
Less than this and the car remains in the tortoise mode rather than the hare mode!
Mose
Despite high mileage the car does not use any oil.
Checked it anyway, okay.
Interesting point though if the level sensor was faulty, would
need to know if this would trigger the go slow mode!
On occassion the engine revs at idle wander, in some casses dipping to 250rpm, but the anti stall picks the revs up to 750rpm.
Boosted LS1
The Tech2 software required needs to be bang up to date.
Jackel
Derby are not great for sure but so far after 4 visits no serious issues! Hope i have not tempted fate there.
body graphic containing the message :-
"Service Vehicle Very Soon"
To clear the fault the ignition needs to be turned off for 5sec.
Less than this and the car remains in the tortoise mode rather than the hare mode!
Mose
Despite high mileage the car does not use any oil.
Checked it anyway, okay.
Interesting point though if the level sensor was faulty, would
need to know if this would trigger the go slow mode!
On occassion the engine revs at idle wander, in some casses dipping to 250rpm, but the anti stall picks the revs up to 750rpm.
Boosted LS1
The Tech2 software required needs to be bang up to date.
Jackel
Derby are not great for sure but so far after 4 visits no serious issues! Hope i have not tempted fate there.
With a scanner you can see current and historical codes.
Did Mr Monkfish check historical codes? I guess so...
Any engine related issues should show up with their engine scanner, so perhaps its something like fuel pump or something else, as you say Mr tech2 will show BCM stuff like brakes which the PCM scanners and tuners wont show.
Did Mr Monkfish check historical codes? I guess so...
Any engine related issues should show up with their engine scanner, so perhaps its something like fuel pump or something else, as you say Mr tech2 will show BCM stuff like brakes which the PCM scanners and tuners wont show.
A new throttle body was the fix.
May be the extra blips of the throttle for the sound on down changes partially to blame!
The car is back to normal and loads of fun again.
Interesting using another car for a week as a reminder as to why these cars are so entertaining!
I strongly recommend a short spell of deprivation, to better appreciate why we choose these cars and rave about them.
May be the extra blips of the throttle for the sound on down changes partially to blame!
The car is back to normal and loads of fun again.
Interesting using another car for a week as a reminder as to why these cars are so entertaining!
I strongly recommend a short spell of deprivation, to better appreciate why we choose these cars and rave about them.
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