Q: Powertrain malfunction indicator light is on

asked by on October 31, 2016

While driving my ford explorer 2008, 55 m/h for about one hour the car did not stop but lost power to continue for a minute, and the powertrain malfunction indicator illuminated, I kept driving for 4 miles to find a save place to park, before stopping the illuminated symbol disappear. Few hours later I wanted to check the car and started driving, the powertrain malfunction indicator and the service engine soon indicator light illuminated, I stopped driving and park the car. Please, I would like to know how much will cost to fix my car, can I have and estimate? Thank for your help. Nora

My car has 85000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hi there. From the description you have provided, driving your vehicle for about an hour, lost power, powertrain malfunction indicator illuminated, later the powertrain malfunction indicator and service engine soon light illuminated, is difficult to estimate the cost of repair. Diagnoses needs to be performed to isolate the failure first.

It could be a faulty APP (accelerator pedal position) sensor. It could be a faulty throttle position sensor at the throttle body, which in most cases requires throttle body replacement when electronically controlled. It could be low fuel pressure caused by a faulty fuel pump. There are many other possibilities as well. I recommend having your vehicle’s powertrain malfunction and service engine soon light illuminated be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

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 use the remote start?
If the vehicle is equipped with the remote start option, then the keyless entry system remote will have 4 buttons. The button at the top will have a curved arrow on it. Press the “lock” button before pressing the remote...
What does the Door Ajar Light mean on the dash?
Driving with a door open is never a good idea – it’s dangerous for passengers and cargo, and it can let debris, exhaust and other threats into the car. To help ensure that you don’t get on the road with...
Car stutters and occasionally dies. Tripping po171 code running lean.
Your engine does have a MAF sensor, follow the tube that comes from the air filter housing to the throttle body. You should see a connector with 5 wires and that should be the MAF sensor. The most common cause...
Car won't start but will turn over - 2007 Volvo S40
Hi there. If the belt broke, then it may have damaged some of the wiring. When the belt breaks, it can hit the wiring going to the crankshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/crankshaft-position-sensor-replacement) which will keep the vehicle from starting. I usually...
Where is the camshaft sensor position A in a 2008 Honda Odyssey 3.5L V6 engine?
Facing the motor in the van you will find the sensor in the front of the rear of the cylinder head. That would be passenger side of the rear head. Mounted in the end of the head.
Automatic door not opening - 2013 Infiniti FX37
Hello. If your rear power liftgate is no longer functioning, the first thing I would do is check to make sure that the liftgate power button is activated. The button is located on the instrument panel, and displays a picture...
Rough idle and low power
Hi, thanks for writing in. It sounds like you have timing chain related problems for sure (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-timing-chain). The central component, your timing chain, which maintains a critical relationship between the crankshaft, and the camshafts on your engine, has likely chewed...
Replaced fuel pressure regulator and fuel pump,still no power going to fuel pump
This sounds like you may not have any power going to the fuel pump relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-relay-replacement). The relay wires should have ground on two wires, power on one wire and switched power on another wire. To activate the fuel pump...
My check engine light came on and my car was diagnosed as needing a catalytic converter. Now, my car won't start.
Hello, thank you for writing in. The catalytic converter can cause a vehicle not to start. This would be an extreme situation where part of the catalyst inside has broken off and is clogging the entire exhaust pipe. Tap on...

Related articles

How to Buy a Good Quality Crankshaft Position Sensor
Just Just like the name indicates, the crankshaft position sensor monitors the rotation speed and position of the crankshaft. The crankshaft is what turns the engine’s piston power into a force that can actually move the vehicle. Its position must...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Pressure Sensor
Common signs include the Oil Pressure Light coming on or blinking constantly despite oil levels being fine or the oil pressure gauge reading zero.
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Alabama in 2012
2012 2012 was a great year in Alabama for auto manufacturing, but that wasn’t the only bright spot. Vehicle sales in Alabama were also robust in 2012. Nothing much changed in terms of the vehicle types that were most popular...