Engine Power Reduced-Limp Mode?

[Feralhog]

Coming home pre-blizzard (no snow yet) on Monday evening the display showed "Engine Power Reduced" (or similar) and the Encore reduced speed to a below walking speed at a traffic light in town (not fun). I wouldn't even call it "limp mode"! We pulled over and started it up a couple of times and it finally returned to reasonable speeds but engine light remains lit.

Anyone else experience this thrill? Yes, it will be going in for service asap.

 

[ljmattox]

Have not experienced this on our Encore...knock wood. I have a MINI that did this...modern electronics trying to protect the vehicle. Will be interesting to see what turns up with they pull diagnostic codes. With my MINI, the high-pressure fuel pump was beginning to fail, and that tripped the "limp mode" behavior. It my circumstance, I was still able to drive highway speed, but with greatly reduced "verve" (I believe it cuts off turbo boost on my model of MINI). Mine, too, reset after a couple of stops/starts.

 

[GoMich]

When engine goes into reduced power mode, there is a DTC code set that caused power reduction to happen. If you call ONSTAR, they will be able to tell you what code is set and what is recommended in that case to do. If you dont subscribe to ONSTAR, stop by any auto-store and they will be able to pull the code from engine controller for free. Or just drive to dealer.
There are multiple codes related to engine or transmission that can request reduced power but keep vehicle driveable to get home or to service.

 

[08Bluesky]

Have yet to experience such on the Buick...

but on the Saturn Sky (somewhat similar) - I have hit Limp Mode because of a momentary over rev.

I also hear that loose intercooler clamps can cause such - though it does not sound like your cause was either.

Do let us know what the Dealer finds / Codes are.

🙂

 

[Feralhog]

Thanks.

I was just wondering if this was a common occurrence and I just missed it somehow. We were stopped at a traffic light when the beast decided it was time to limp home so I have no idea what may be the cause...something electronic I suspect (or it could be loose clamps, etc who knows?).

I must say up until this little blip the Encore has been perfect.

 

[KSDeputy]

I never had it happen, and hope I never do. I know my next statement will start a firestorm of controversy. I use only mid range or premium gas in my Encore. I think it increases the power, and I like the difference. Does anyone else use it, and if so can you tell any difference?

 

[MelsRegal]

have you done any testing of miles per gallon over the same route comparing 87 octane to any of the higher grades you are using?

 

[Dadof4Girls]

Coming home pre-blizzard (no snow yet) on Monday evening the display showed "Engine Power Reduced" (or similar) and the Encore reduced speed to a below walking speed at a traffic light in town (not fun). I wouldn't even call it "limp mode"! We pulled over and started it up a couple of times and it finally returned to reasonable speeds but engine light remains lit.

Anyone else experience this thrill? Yes, it will be going in for service asap.

What was outside temperature and humidity? Was this the first traffic light?

This sounds like moisture at the turbo. The limp mode keeps it from entering the engine. My daughter experienced this once. It was after stopping at a rest area, and under throttle to merge into traffic.

 

[gralm]

I never had it happen, and hope I never do. I know my next statement will start a firestorm of controversy. I use only mid range or premium gas in my Encore. I think it increases the power, and I like the difference. Does anyone else use it, and if so can you tell any difference?

KSDeputy, I tried it and did not notice any changes in power or fuel mileage (even to offset the difference in price).

 

[TheAirman]

Coming home pre-blizzard (no snow yet) on Monday evening the display showed "Engine Power Reduced" (or similar) and the Encore reduced speed to a below walking speed at a traffic light in town (not fun). I wouldn't even call it "limp mode"! We pulled over and started it up a couple of times and it finally returned to reasonable speeds but engine light remains lit.

Anyone else experience this thrill? Yes, it will be going in for service asap.

Any web board troubleshooting would useless at this point as there could be many things causing a limp home reduced power mode.

But what I can tell you is you have something serious wrong, and even though it might be running OK now, it has the strong possibility to strand you on the road some dark, cold night. Take it in to the dealer now. A reduced power warning most definitely set a diagnostic trouble code that your dealer needs to read in order to fix it. Don't let Pep Boy's or Advanced reset your check engine light (MIL).

Since 1996, and the onset of OBD II, computer controlled cars had a limp home mode. It wasn't until the cool driver information centers started showing up on mainstream cars that we knew we were in a reduced power setting. Years back, the check engine light just came on, and you just sputtered home until you had some figure it out.

When the Encore goes into reduced power mode, it's protecting the catalyst or the engine from major damage. It could be a fault in the transmission, or the throttle actuator, or an engine over temp, or an oil over temp. Or some other sensor that is failing, that when it did, it would cause major engine damage.

Get it checked yesterday, and please tell us what it was.

 

[Feralhog]

We just came out of the parking garage after work and were at perhaps the second traffic (1/4 mile maybe) light idling. Temperature was freezing or below (blizzard, and I do mean a blizzard was imminent).

Car is at Buick and we shall soon see I reckon!

 

[Feralhog]

It has been parked since. dug it out of three feet of snow yesterday and got it to dealer. Diagnosis scheduled for Monday.

I was more interested in whether or not this was a common occurrence with the Encore and wasn't really expecting an online diagnosis. It's still under "bumper-to-bumper warranty" so we'll see how that works out.

Thanks,

 

[KSDeputy]

Yes, I am getting 29.6 mpg overall. Which is about the same as with 87 octane regular gas.

 

[Feralhog]

Any web board troubleshooting would useless at this point as there could be many things causing a limp home reduced power mode.

But what I can tell you is you have something serious wrong, and even though it might be running OK now, it has the strong possibility to strand you on the road some dark, cold night. Take it in to the dealer now. A reduced power warning most definitely set a diagnostic trouble code that your dealer needs to read in order to fix it. Don't let Pep Boy's or Advanced reset your check engine light (MIL).

Since 1996, and the onset of OBD II, computer controlled cars had a limp home mode. It wasn't until the cool driver information centers started showing up on mainstream cars that we knew we were in a reduced power setting. Years back, the check engine light just came on, and you just sputtered home until you had some figure it out.

When the Encore goes into reduced power mode, it's protecting the catalyst or the engine from major damage. It could be a fault in the transmission, or the throttle actuator, or an engine over temp, or an oil over temp. Or some other sensor that is failing, that when it did, it would cause major engine damage.

Get it checked yesterday, and please tell us what it was.

The results are in. Code(s) P2135 (and) T-9 (can't tell if it is one code or two on the print out). Replaced throttle body and relearned idle.

Covered under "bumper-to-bumper" warranty.....

 

[TheAirman]

p2135 is usually a throttle position sensor, or the electronic throttle itself, or the sensor in the gas pedal. No wonder you limped home. You didn't have any throttle.

T-9 ...... never heard of that. Could be a specific GM or Buick trouble code instead of a generic one.

 

[TheAirman]

Had to bring this one back to the top, as I just received my letter of this condition from Buick today.

Seems the "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" message on 2013 Encore vehicles is more prevalent than what we first thought. It also mentions stalling caused by this condition.

It's not a recall letter but it is a warning letter, also stating not to take your vehicle into the dealer UNLESS you have this condition.

It also states if you have had the message and paid to have it fixed, since 2013, Buick will refund your money.

And lastly, the letter says that Buick is extending the warranty for this condition to 6 years from in service date, or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

 

[Feralhog]

This just in......it happened again this past Thursday. Eventually got it home. Service appointment tomorrow!

 

[impreza35]

This just in......it happened again this past Thursday. Eventually got it home. Service appointment tomorrow!

Did they give you another diagnoses!

 

[slove_89]

Yes, this just happened to me for the first time. I am livid, as I had a brand new Saturn Ion, also GM product that died on me as I was driving and caused a car accident and cut open my head. So I am taking this in immediately and contacting GM. I bought this buick encore brand new and have already taken it in twice for repairs under warranty. My boyfriend also has a chevy truck that he has taken it in 7-8 times for various issues and has recently been having the truck dying while he is driving as well. I am over GM products.

 

[SR45]

Yes, this just happened to me for the first time. I am livid, as I had a brand new Saturn Ion, also GM product that died on me as I was driving and caused a car accident and cut open my head. So I am taking this in immediately and contacting GM. I bought this buick encore brand new and have already taken it in twice for repairs under warranty. My boyfriend also has a chevy truck that he has taken it in 7-8 times for various issues and has recently been having the truck dying while he is driving as well. I am over GM products.

What year is your Buick encore?