If the light doesn’t come back on and your vehicle drives as normal, everything is probably fine. But it’s a good idea to get your vehicle checked out by a mechanic sooner rather than later.
Don’t bother trying to restart the vehicle again if the light comes back on after the first try. That’s your sign that there’s a bigger problem at hand.
If you’re at home or parked in a safe place when this problem arises, call to have your vehicle towed to a garage. Don’t try to drive it there yourself. Drive only as far as you must to get to a safe location—driving to a nearby parking lot instead of stopping on the side of a busy road, for example. Then get a tow.
Your vehicle may throttle down significantly, making it impossible for you to drive at anything beyond a very slow speed. (This is why you’ll hear this referred to as “limp mode. ”) Instead of just slowing down, your engine may in fact shut down completely. If you’re on the road when this happens, you have no choice but to coast to the side of the road and turn off the vehicle. Non-essential electrical systems in your vehicle, like the audio system, interior lights, and so on, will almost certainly shut down as a power-saving measure.
Problems with the throttle actuator control (TAC) system, including bad circuitry, faulty sensors, or mechanical issues. [5] X Research source Failures in the clutch system, faulty oxygen sensors, or loose engine cables, wires, or hoses. [6] X Research source Damage to the accelerator pedal, which contains sensors. [7] X Research source
Check the fuses at the fuse panel as well. With your owner’s manual as your guide, identifying and replacing a bad fuse is manageable for the average DIYer.
If the reader displays code P2135, for example, search online for “DTC P2135” or head to a website that offers a searchable list of DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) for OBD-II readers. Code P2135 refers to mismatched readings between two throttle position sensors, which is one of the more common triggers for a reduced engine power light. Even if you have no intention of attempting the repair yourself, using a OBD-II reader is an easy way to figure out the likely problem before taking your car to a repair garage.
For example, if you do get code P2135, the repair may be a 30+ step process that’s beyond the capabilities of all but truly seasoned DIYers. [9] X Research source
