Are You Experiencing a Reduction in Your Car's Engine Power?

The engine control module connects your car's gas pedal and throttle body. The pedal has sensors telling the computer how fast and swiftly the driver presses the pedal. The computer then uses this information to open or close the throttle body's plate. There are also sensors in the throttle body that measure the throttle plate's position. If these sensors or the wiring fails, the computer activates the check engine light and limits the car's performance for safety. This makes the vehicle feel unresponsive when you press the gas pedal.

If you notice the vehicle idling high, cranking and not starting, the engine stuttering, or underperforming, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.

The ECM (Engine Control Module) is the brain of the engine and powertrain. It controls the engine's air and fuel flow and cylinder firing time. The ECM uses input from sensors on the vehicle to make these decisions. If the ECM receives correct inputs but doesn't send the right outputs, the check engine light activates, and the car may underperform. For example, if a coil driver, which sends signals to the coils, fails, it causes a cylinder misfire, activating the check engine light.

If you notice the vehicle shuddering, losing extra fuel, limited to certain speeds, the engine stuttering, or underperforming, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.

The catalytic converter is a part of the exhaust system that helps reduce emissions. It has precious metals that help reduce pollutants when the engine runs correctly. However, the catalytic converter can clog and overheat if the engine is not running correctly, like getting low oxygen or too much fuel. This can restrict the exhaust flow, leading to power and acceleration loss. The vehicle may also feel sluggish.

If you notice the engine stalling, long cranking time, poor power when merging on a highway, low fuel mileage, or the check engine warning light on the dashboard, save this information; they're essential if you consider going to an auto shop later.

The throttle body is a part of your car's engine that controls the amount of air that goes in. The car's computer controls it, but there's also a part that helps to set a proper idle speed. If either this part or the throttle body gets clogged with gunk, your car underperforms, sometimes making the idle too high.

If the throttle plate position is wrong, the engine control computer sets a fixed limp mode, triggering a reduced engine power warning light.

It is important to take note of any symptoms like a high engine idling, long cranking time, shuddering, the need to hold the throttle open to start the vehicle, speed limitations, or a decrease in fuel mileage. This information will be useful if you visit an auto shop later.

The mass air flow sensor sits in the intake before the throttle body. It measures the amount of air coming into the engine, helping the car's computer calculate how much fuel and engine load gets good performance. However, if this part gets dirty, it can give false readings, causing the car to hesitate when accelerating or not accelerate at all.

It is important to take note of any symptoms such as engine stalling and not starting, cranking for an extended period, the vehicle shutting off, speed limitations, poor performance, or a decrease in fuel mileage. This information will be useful if you visit an auto shop later.