Q: Car lost power due to computer glitch

asked by on August 25, 2016

I was driving around 25 mph when my car completely lost power. The low-oil pressure warning came on. I had to have the car towed to the dealer where they diagnosed it. They reported to me that there is a glitch in the computers which triggered a false warning light. They said that is what caused the loss of power. They could not fix the failure. Please explain what this means and how can my car be fixed?

Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement $104.83 - $442.63 Get a Quote

I don’t have the exact repair information for your vehicle since it is so new. My guess is, however, the powertrain control module (PCM) is sensing low oil pressure when it shouldn’t be. This could be because of a problem with the oil pressure sensor or the PCM itself. When the PCM detects low oil pressure it will disable the fuel injectors to prevent engine damage. I’m not sure why the dealer can’t fix this for you. I would insist they make it right or take your complaint to the corporate level.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I program a new remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter with a recognized transmitter?
If your vehicle has no remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitters that are currently programmed, then you will need to program all of your RKE transmitters. This process can take a while, but is easy to do if you follow these...
Belt squealing
This is a pretty common problem for your vehicle. Your serpentine belts are likely worn out. In addition it is highly likely that you could have a bad pulley or belt tensioner. If any one of these things are a...
Leak into wheel well
A few different items can cause a leak into the vehicle. The door seal was a great place to start in this case. Other areas to consider for a leak like this include the window trim or body seam. If...
There a knocking noise in motor
Without more information, if will not be possible to determine the cause of your concern. There are many moving parts in an engine and any one of them can cause noise. It could be a bearing going bad, piston slap,...
Driver's side CV joint noise
Hi there. The sound is more like a differential sound that is making a click sound. There seems to be too much free play on the gear train inside the transmission. This is determined by only the sound occurring when...
how many camshaft positioning sensors and location?
Hello. Your vehicle should be equipped with four different camshaft position sensors, one for each of the engine's camshafts. They are mounted in the front of the cylinder heads, near the camshaft actuators, across from each other. The sensors should...
My oil pressure is low light came on
The oil pressure light will usually come on when a few things could be happening. Either the motor is in fact low on oil, the oil pump could be failing or the oil pressure sending unit (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-pressure-sensor-replacement) is not working...
Downsizing wheels
Hello, and thank you for writing in. While it may be possible with low profile tires and spacers, the clearance for the brake calipers and the lug nut alignment may be an issue. Stock rims for the vehicle are only...
PASS AIRBAG OFF light
If the seat is unoccupied, the light will stay "on" continuously. There are other circumstances under which the light may stay on though, including low weight on the seat, the seat belt is buckled but there is no seat occupant...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Lincoln Town Car
2011 2011 marked the final year for Lincoln’s aging Town Car. It offered an immense amount of space in the front and the rear, as well as the iconic style for which the line was known. Key Features Perhaps the...
Is it Safe to Drive With a Misfiring Cylinder?
An engine misfire can be caused by bad spark plugs or imbalanced air/fuel mixture. Driving with a misfire isn't safe and can damage your engine.
Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Car Program
Lincoln certified pre-owned cars are under 7 years old, have less than 60,000 miles, and come with a 6 year or 100,000 miles comprehensive warranty.