Q: Car sometimes give me acceleration and power issues. Engine power reduced message and engine light appear intermittently.

asked by on January 10, 2017

I sometimes experience sluggish acceleration followed by what feels like the car bucking and then "engine power reduced" message appears on the dashboard along with a solid check engine light. The car then feels like it's going to stall so I immediately pull it to the side of the road and turn it off. About five minutes later I turn it on and it drives fine but the engine light stays on. Apparently though, the engine light eventually goes away after a handful of ignition rotations and I can't seem to figure out why this keeps happening.

The first time I took it to my personal mechanic to run a diagnostic test the code came up for the pedal sensor so I got that replaced and thought all was well. However, it just recently happened again and diagnostic tests at both the dealership and where I had the pedal sensor replaced reveal no "error codes" to identify any problem. Why would this continue to happen if diagnostics reveal everything is fine and how should I go about correcting this?

My car has 948000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

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 open and close the sunshade?
The sunshade feature allows you to block incoming light from the sun roof. The sunshade can only be operated manually. To open the sunshade, slide it open. To close the sunshade, slide it closed. The sunshade can only be closed...
Rattling sound when driving
If you hear a rattling, multiple things could be causing this issue. The most likely cause would be a broken exhaust shield or mount. When these exhaust shields break, they will cause a rattling sound. When the exhaust mounts break,...
Clutch slipping on manual transmission
Unfortunately, the Mazda clutch is a hydraulic system that has no adjustments. If the clutch is slipping the clutch disc is most likely either worn or the pressure plate is faulty. The clutch system will need to be inspected and...
Rough idling
Hello. This could be caused by a variety of things. It could be that your spark plugs or coil packs are misfiring. This means that the coil pack is not sending the proper electricity to the spark plug. It could...
Drove in rain, parked for a day, car won't start
No, absolutely not. The good news is that this is such an obvious problem, I can tell you with a high degree of certainty that you have a cracked or otherwise failed distributer cap (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/distributor-rotor-and-cap-replacement). Replace that cap and you...
My car has the OBD-II codes P0030 and P0135 for the heater control circuit and sensor. Where is this sensor located?
This is a code that pertains to the heater side of your oxygen sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oxygen-sensor-replacement). The heater is required to raise the temperature of the sensor so that it can operate properly. Simply unplugging relays/fuses will not keep the code...
My car needs a throttle body cleaning, but I'm worried about the idle and relearning process
Hi there. This is a very good question that I wish more people would ask. Your 2006 Pathfinder's engine control unit (ECU) does evolve and learn as it goes. Anytime you clean the throttle body (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-clean-a-throttle-body-by-timothy-charlet) or complete major "routine"...
Leaking radiator cap
Hello there: Most of the time, the smoke you see coming from the front of the vehicle that has a coolant leak from the radiator cap is steam. This is an indicator that the radiator cap needs to be replaced;...
I'm getting a po420 code the car is losing power. What are the odds it's the cheaper rear cat?
Hi Jason. When the oxygen sensors have readings that are similar to each other, it is an indication that the catalytic converter is not working as intended. If the voltage of the downstream oxygen sensor decreases, and begins to fluctuate...

Related articles

2012 Chevrolet Cruze vs. 2012 Hyundai Elantra: Which One Should I Buy?
When you’re looking for a four-door sedan, you’re likely interested in a smaller family car that still offers decent styling and looks, great gas mileage, and a comfortable interior that will keep your family safe as you’re driving. While not...
2012 Ford F-150 vs. 2012 Chevrolet Silverado: Which One Should I Buy?
When you’re ready to really get some work done, there’s nothing like a full size pickup truck. These trucks are ready to haul a big load and really get in there and get busy. SUVs are great for moving people,...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Alaska in 2012
Alaska Alaska requires a different kind of vehicle to handle both the terrain and the wintery conditions. While some of the most popular options for the Alaskan terrain in previous years included options such as the Subaru Forester and the...