Modern cars have ECUs to control every aspect of the car’s performance. Sometimes, the engine power of the car drops noticeably with the reduced engine power warning light or warning message.
If the message is “Power Reduced to Lower Engine Temperature,” it means the ECU has lowered air or fuel intake. It’s for preventing the engine from overheating. However, the reasons are as follows.
- Cooling system malfunctioning
- Stuck or faulty thermostat
- Clogged cooling system
- Faulty radiator fan
- Bad temperature sensor
- Engine oil problems
- Exhaust system issues
Addressing these problems promptly is a must. I will provide the detailed reasons and respective solutions in simple steps. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Power Reduced to Lower Engine Temperature: How to Fix?
If you don’t want to get into the detailed reasoning, find the fixes to these problems right away.
Problems | Fixes |
---|---|
Cooling system malfunctioning | Check the coolant level, radiator, and water pump. Replace faulty parts and refill the coolant |
Stuck or faulty thermostat | Replace the thermostat |
Clogged cooling system | Flush the cooling system |
Faulty radiator fan | Repair the damaged fan or replace the fan |
Bad temperature sensor | Replace the sensor |
Engine oil problems | Check the oil level and replace degraded oil |
Exhaust system issues | Replace the clogged catalytic converter and fix exhaust leaks |
Power Reduced to Lower Engine Temperature: Top 7 In Detail Solutions
Understand what causes this warning light and know its solutions.
1. Cooling System Malfunctioning
If the coolant is leaking from the radiator, water pump, or a leaked hose, the engine temperature will rise. The ECU will prevent the engine from overheating by decreasing the power. You will notice the following symptoms.
- High Engine Temperature: The engine temperature gauge will rise drastically and can reach the red zone.
- Overheating Warning: The overheating warning light will come up on the dashboard.
How to Fix It?
1. You have to check the coolant level first. If the level drops quickly after a refill, it indicates a leak. Check the cooling system components for leaks and fix the leaks.
2. Make sure there are no leaks in the radiator, coolant hose, and water pump. Check water pump seals as well. If the seals are cracked or leaked, replace them.
3. After fixing the problems, refill the coolant reservoir so that the coolant reaches the FULL mark.
2. Stuck or Faulty Thermostat
If the thermostat is stuck in the closed position, it will prevent the coolant from flowing. As a result, the engine will overheat, and the ECU will reduce its power. The following symptoms may occur.
- Fluctuation in Engine Temperature: The movement of the engine temperature gauge will be erratic. The engine temperature spikes and then returns to normal if the thermostat is faulty.
- Low Fuel Economy: Due to the inefficient performance of the engine, the fuel efficiency will drop noticeably.
How to Fix It?
1. You may try to clean the clogs that hinder thermostat movement. Then, open the closed thermostat. But it isn’t a permanent solution. The thermostat may get stuck again.
2. So, you should replace the thermostat to ensure smooth flow of the coolant. It may cost about $100-$200, including parts and labor.
3. Clogged Cooling System
The cooling system may get clogged due to rust and debris. Sediment from the coolant contamination can also be responsible for the clogs. When the cooling system gets clogged, coolant can’t flow through the cooling channels properly. It can be identified by the following symptoms.
- Steam or Smoke from the Engine: If the engine gets too hot due to a clogged cooling system, there can be steam from under the hood. You may also notice smoke coming from the valve cover.
- Extended Power Reduction: The power loss situation will sustain for a long time, especially if you drive the vehicle longer.
How to Fix It?
1. You need to flush the cooling system. Drain the coolant from the system by opening the drain nut. Then, fill the radiator with water.
2. Turn the engine on and let it run for some time. It will remove the deposits and debris. After draining the water, flush the system again.
3. I suggest using a Cooling System Flushing Gun to make the solution more effective.
4. Faulty Radiator Fan
If the radiator fan blades get damaged, or the fan is malfunctioning, the engine will overheat. The power reduction warning message will appear with the following symptoms.
- Overheating at Low Speed: If you drive slowly, especially in city traffic, the car will overheat. The condition can go away on highways.
How to Fix It?
Check the fan blades for signs of dents or damage. Repair the damaged blades if it is in condition to repair.
Otherwise, replace the fan blades or the faulty radiator fan. It will cost about $400-$500, including parts and labor.
5. Bad Temperature Sensor
The temperature sensor sends the engine temperature reading to the ECU. If the sensor is faulty, it will send wrong readings, and the ECU will trigger the power reduction warning. It comes with the following symptoms.
- Sudden Spikes in Engine Temperature: The engine temperature can rise all of a sudden and drop the next moment.
- No Other Apparent Reasons: Sometimes, the car has none of the problems discussed above, and the warning is still on.
How to Fix It?
Check the vehicle with an OBD2 scanner and read the error code.
If it tells you the temperature sensor is faulty, replace the sensor. It will cost about $100, including parts and labor.
You might ask, can an OBD2 scanner damage the ECU? An OBD2 scanner won’t damage the ECU physically.
6. Engine Oil Problems
If the engine oil level is much lower than the recommended level or the oil has become dirty, the engine lubrication will be hampered. So, the engine will overheat, and the ECU will trigger the power reduction warning to lower engine temperature. Look out for these symptoms.
- Quick Overheating: After you start the car, the engine will overheat faster.
- Knocking Sound: If the oil level is too low, you may hear engine knocking or ticking sounds. But if the engine is ticking when cold, it may indicate another problem.
How to Fix It?
Open the oil reservoir cap and pull the dipstick out. Check where the oil mark is. It should be close to the FULL mark.
Also, check the oil condition. It shouldn’t be dirty or have debris. If so, change the oil.
7. Exhaust System Issues
If the catalytic converter gets clogged, the engine will overheat. Exhaust leaks can also contribute to the problem.
- Reduced Power: The engine will lose power for an elongated period even when the warning goes off.
How to Fix It?
Check the exhaust system for leaks and fix them. Also, replace the catalytic converter if it is clogged. It may cost $1,000-$2,500, including parts and labor.
Conclusion
Extreme heat can severely damage the engine. So, the ECU tries to mitigate the issue by reducing engine power when the engine is overheating. It comes with the ‘Power Reduced to Lower Engine Temperature’ warning.
The reasons related to an overheating engine are listed above. I also mentioned the symptoms so that you can identify the exact reason quickly. And use the described solutions to fix the overheating issue. When the overheating is solved, the warning message will go away, and the engine power will be restored.
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