Reduced engine power
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 03-17-2022
Posts: 30
From: Oklahoma
Reduced engine power
I have been trying to fix my wives car. It comes up and says reduced engine power. I have read various things about it and still stuck. I drilled holes in the catalytic converter (can't afford a new one right now) and changed my upper o2 sensor and the ignition control module. Now the only time I have a problem is when I first start it. On startup it gives me the REP code but once I clear it I have no issue till I turn off the engine and restart it. I am trying to do small things as I have read something about ecm being bad, so I am trying to solve it hoping I don't have to get an ecm. Any help or advice would be great, the car is paid for has a new transmission and just rebuilt suspension, sways and replaced lower control arms, so I don't want to have to scrap it just cause I can't figure out an issue. (A very annoying issue)
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
Welcome
Tell us the year, model and engine size so we know what we're dealing with. Also, how long have you owned this car.
Reduced engine power is a warning not a code. Not sure what you did to "clear" it. You should check for actual codes (ex: P0001, P0002) and post them here. You'll need a code reader or most auto parts store will pull the codes for you. Only post up the actual code numbers. No descriptions because those can be incorrect or wrong.
Poking holes in the cat ? This isn't the 1980's where that might have helped on a clogged cat. Poking holes in it has now damaged it. You'll need a new one now for sure.
Post up those codes and we'll try and help.
Tell us the year, model and engine size so we know what we're dealing with. Also, how long have you owned this car.
Reduced engine power is a warning not a code. Not sure what you did to "clear" it. You should check for actual codes (ex: P0001, P0002) and post them here. You'll need a code reader or most auto parts store will pull the codes for you. Only post up the actual code numbers. No descriptions because those can be incorrect or wrong.
Poking holes in the cat ? This isn't the 1980's where that might have helped on a clogged cat. Poking holes in it has now damaged it. You'll need a new one now for sure.
Post up those codes and we'll try and help.
Last edited by firemangeorge; Mar 17, 2022 at 08:46 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 03-17-2022
Posts: 30
From: Oklahoma
When I looked up code it said to replace the ignition control module or possible ecm. When I searched through other similar posts on here I saw where it was said to start with o2 sensors which I did and I went ahead and replaced the ignition switch. The code is p1682
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Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,533
From: Fredericksburg,VA
I have absolutely no idea how O2 sensors or cats are involved with P1682. That is a voltage difference between the 2 ignition circuits.
The LAST thing to think is "bad ECM". Your car does not have an "ignition control module".
The wiring to the ECM could be compromised or the connector is wobbly. Has anybody been doing anything under the hood?
A fuse could be blown.
A frayed wire might be shorting.
Since Oklahoma has no emissions testing and your car is over 10 years old you can get a new cat for less than $200. Installation is 5 bolts and 2 O2 sensor R&R.
The LAST thing to think is "bad ECM". Your car does not have an "ignition control module".
The wiring to the ECM could be compromised or the connector is wobbly. Has anybody been doing anything under the hood?
A fuse could be blown.
A frayed wire might be shorting.
Since Oklahoma has no emissions testing and your car is over 10 years old you can get a new cat for less than $200. Installation is 5 bolts and 2 O2 sensor R&R.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 03-17-2022
Posts: 30
From: Oklahoma
No work being done. It all started with the head lights. First it started blowing fuse for steering motor, found out my headlight connectors were burnt so I replaced them. Things straightened up then it started giving the reduced engine power with the p1682 code.
