Engine Power Reduced - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Cwrightbillion · 05-13-2015, 09:28 AM

Hello everyone. I recently was driving my 2012 Camaro & all of a sudden a error comes on my dash saying "Engine Power Reduced" I assumed the car needed gas so I took the car to the gas station. After shortly stopping at a red light the car started to shake really bad and eventually shut off with the check engine light coming on.

I took the car to my local Chevy Dealer Monday and their first assumption was bad gas (disel fuild) so they dropped the tank and cleaned everything out (which was a $800 job) this was Tuesday, today Wednesday morning I received a call saying its still pulling codes and its saying all 4 of my 02 sensors are bad and I would have to replace them to CHECK and see if the vehicle is fixed (which is $400.) this repair will not even be done until Friday. This is the first time have trouble with my car.. I just want to know if i am NOT getting stiffed from my local Chevy Dealership or does this seem right that I have to wait for a week and pay $1200 for something that might not even be fixed?

Thank you Respectfully

ccb1975 · 05-13-2015, 10:20 AM

Did you get on it? Like punch the gas at a roll? That's what happen to me one time. Pulled over. Cleared up.

Keachj06 · 05-14-2015, 03:43 PM

sounds like they are giving you the good ol "iam going in dry", get the car back borrow an OB2 scanner pull the codes and post em or ask chevy what codes they pulled prevent further funds being lost due to "shotgun" troubleshooting that service managers love to do. Reduced power mode can occur for many reason not so much related to o2 sensors. vacuum, TPS, your tps can be a culprit if the logic freaks out ie indicated TPS vice Anticipated will throw this code, my old vette had the issue id take the OB2 clear the code and it would fire back up just fine, IAT sensor could also be the culprit, it was happening when Id stop at a light and press the brake pedal repeatedly (misfiring, horrible shaking like it was cammed) ask them to clear the code in front you and try and start the vehicle.

Ragnar · 05-14-2015, 04:10 PM

Diesel fuel! I just had one of my customers put diesel fuel in a Mazda Tribute and drove it

. OMG, you can smell it. They said it was only a couple of gallons

. Dropped the tank, new plugs, most likely destroyed the cats and o2 sensors. Good news is they are close to having the car paid off and they can deal with it!

So I have to ask, was your fuel contaminated?

Cwrightbillion · 05-14-2015, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Diesel fuel! I just had one of my customers put diesel fuel in a Mazda Tribute and drove it

. OMG, you can smell it. They said it was only a couple of gallons

. Dropped the tank, new plugs, most likely destroyed the cats and o2 sensors. Good news is they are close to having the car paid off and they can deal with it!

So I have to ask, was your fuel contaminated?

Yes, they're saying the gas was a smell of aminoia. Chevy says the contaminated fuel possibly ruined my 02 sensors, they were saying it should be around 20 to 25 percent & that the old 02 sensors were reading 0 percent, because of contaminated fuel...

Cwrightbillion · 05-15-2015, 10:28 AM

Update: Now I just received a call saying its the spark plugs that were contaminated so the total bill is looking at $1300. They're saying after the Sparks are changed then maybe the car will run (won't know until they change the plugs)... I feel so raped and taken advantage of. Is there anyone I can talk to at a higher level to get this escalated? I mean how are you hired as Chevy mechanic where they specialize in Chevy/camaros and you STILL do not know what is wrong with my car?

Keachj06 · 05-15-2015, 11:04 AM

gas huffing chevy mechanics... well theres your problem, get your car back go somewhere else, if I were you I wouldn't pay for any of this id be kicking over chairs and telling their incompetent service dept to go pack sand.

Keachj06 · 05-15-2015, 11:06 AM

What did chevy say by contaminated I get it it will destroy o2 sensors but so will running certain products in your gas tank that are designed to flush your fuel system hence why it says for off road use only. but really id be asking for all documented proof Fuel dilution with whatever contaminent, etc because this most certainly sounds like "shotgun" troubleshooting.

Cwrightbillion · 05-15-2015, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keachj06

gas huffing chevy mechanics... well theres your problem, get your car back go somewhere else, if I were you I wouldn't pay for any of this id be kicking over chairs and telling their incompetent service dept to go pack sand.

I wish I didn't have to pay especially if my car isn't fully repaired. Do you think I'm just $1300 short, or is this is something I can do about it?

Keachj06 · 05-15-2015, 03:40 PM

unfortunately I almost certain when you sign for the initial diagnostic you waive all rights, although you must authorize each repair prior to them doing so. now if you hold documented proof you may want to look into the Lemon law (laws are different based upon state) that would be your best bet, unfortunately right now if they cant repair the problem your stuck shelling out the cash however if it continues to be an issue and its the same issue after mulitiple repairs for a certain amount of time you may have a case. I would get the car back and take it elsewhere for a 2nd opinion.

05-13-2015, 09:28 AM	#1
Cwrightbillion Drives: Mazda Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: NC Posts: 12	Engine Power Reduced Hello everyone. I recently was driving my 2012 Camaro & all of a sudden a error comes on my dash saying "Engine Power Reduced" I assumed the car needed gas so I took the car to the gas station. After shortly stopping at a red light the car started to shake really bad and eventually shut off with the check engine light coming on. I took the car to my local Chevy Dealer Monday and their first assumption was bad gas (disel fuild) so they dropped the tank and cleaned everything out (which was a $800 job) this was Tuesday, today Wednesday morning I received a call saying its still pulling codes and its saying all 4 of my 02 sensors are bad and I would have to replace them to CHECK and see if the vehicle is fixed (which is $400.) this repair will not even be done until Friday. This is the first time have trouble with my car.. I just want to know if i am NOT getting stiffed from my local Chevy Dealership or does this seem right that I have to wait for a week and pay $1200 for something that might not even be fixed? Thank you Respectfully Last edited by Cwrightbillion; 05-13-2015 at 10:25 AM.

05-13-2015, 10:20 AM	#2
ccb1975 Drives: 2010 WHITE SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 753	Did you get on it? Like punch the gas at a roll? That's what happen to me one time. Pulled over. Cleared up. Last edited by ccb1975; 05-13-2015 at 11:43 AM.

05-14-2015, 04:10 PM	#4
Ragnar Destroyed by flooding Drives: Wife's car Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,672	Diesel fuel! I just had one of my customers put diesel fuel in a Mazda Tribute and drove it. OMG, you can smell it. They said it was only a couple of gallons. Dropped the tank, new plugs, most likely destroyed the cats and o2 sensors. Good news is they are close to having the car paid off and they can deal with it! So I have to ask, was your fuel contaminated? __________________

05-15-2015, 10:28 AM	#6
Cwrightbillion Drives: Mazda Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: NC Posts: 12	Update: Now I just received a call saying its the spark plugs that were contaminated so the total bill is looking at $1300. They're saying after the Sparks are changed then maybe the car will run (won't know until they change the plugs)... I feel so raped and taken advantage of. Is there anyone I can talk to at a higher level to get this escalated? I mean how are you hired as Chevy mechanic where they specialize in Chevy/camaros and you STILL do not know what is wrong with my car? Last edited by Cwrightbillion; 05-15-2015 at 10:40 AM.

05-14-2015, 03:43 PM	#3
Keachj06 Drives: 15 SS,13 Duc Panigale Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Las Vegas,NV Posts: 133	sounds like they are giving you the good ol "iam going in dry", get the car back borrow an OB2 scanner pull the codes and post em or ask chevy what codes they pulled prevent further funds being lost due to "shotgun" troubleshooting that service managers love to do. Reduced power mode can occur for many reason not so much related to o2 sensors. vacuum, TPS, your tps can be a culprit if the logic freaks out ie indicated TPS vice Anticipated will throw this code, my old vette had the issue id take the OB2 clear the code and it would fire back up just fine, IAT sensor could also be the culprit, it was happening when Id stop at a light and press the brake pedal repeatedly (misfiring, horrible shaking like it was cammed) ask them to clear the code in front you and try and start the vehicle.

05-15-2015, 11:04 AM	#7
Keachj06 Drives: 15 SS,13 Duc Panigale Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Las Vegas,NV Posts: 133	gas huffing chevy mechanics... well theres your problem, get your car back go somewhere else, if I were you I wouldn't pay for any of this id be kicking over chairs and telling their incompetent service dept to go pack sand.

05-15-2015, 11:06 AM	#8
Keachj06 Drives: 15 SS,13 Duc Panigale Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Las Vegas,NV Posts: 133	What did chevy say by contaminated I get it it will destroy o2 sensors but so will running certain products in your gas tank that are designed to flush your fuel system hence why it says for off road use only. but really id be asking for all documented proof Fuel dilution with whatever contaminent, etc because this most certainly sounds like "shotgun" troubleshooting.

05-15-2015, 03:40 PM	#10
Keachj06 Drives: 15 SS,13 Duc Panigale Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Las Vegas,NV Posts: 133	unfortunately I almost certain when you sign for the initial diagnostic you waive all rights, although you must authorize each repair prior to them doing so. now if you hold documented proof you may want to look into the Lemon law (laws are different based upon state) that would be your best bet, unfortunately right now if they cant repair the problem your stuck shelling out the cash however if it continues to be an issue and its the same issue after mulitiple repairs for a certain amount of time you may have a case. I would get the car back and take it elsewhere for a 2nd opinion.