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Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent.


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Ozwalt
Novice

Jul 18, 2011, 5:05 PM

Post #1 of 12 (12446 views)
post icon Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

As already mentioned, it's a 2006 Pontiac Torrent -- front wheel drive, 64k miles. Here's what happened.

Last week, I got up in the morning and found that the battery was dead. Everything was fine the day before, but nothing was happening. It took me 4 days or so to buy a new battery. Installed it today, and the engine cranked right up. I started to back out of my driveway, and the "reduced engine power" light came on, and the engine started sputtering. I tapped on the accelerator a couple of times to try to push some gas into it, but nothing seemed to happen. The car died, and it now remain dead. Battery and starter are both cranking great. It's got about a 1/4 tank of gas in it, and the oil level is fine. No other warning lights are lit up. What kinds of things would trigger the "reduced engine power" thing, and what are the chances that it would happen right after putting in a new battery? Seems like these two things have to be related somehow.

I am desperate. I can't afford a tow truck or a mechanic, and I need my car to work. I have work lined up over the next couple of weeks which could potentially pay for repairs, but without the car, I'm unemployed!

Thanks to everyone who answers.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 18, 2011, 5:37 PM

Post #2 of 12 (12441 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

That one has electronic throttle control. Another word what connects the gas pedal to the throttle valve is sensors, wiring, electrical motor, and a computer. The reduced engine power means that there is something going on with that system. Depending on the fault involved the computer may allow you have some throttle just to get you off the road or it may just shut the thing off causing the engine to stall or not start.

The first thing you need to do is get the engine computer scanned. More than likely it is storing a code which may help you in determining where to look to begin diagnosis.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 18, 2011, 5:39 PM)


Ozwalt
Novice

Jul 18, 2011, 8:10 PM

Post #3 of 12 (12419 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

Thanks! I'm borrowing a comp in the morning to see what codes come up. I'll update when I have some new information.


Ozwalt
Novice

Jul 19, 2011, 6:26 AM

Post #4 of 12 (12404 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

1st update:

No computer yet, but thought I'd disconnect/reconnect the battery and see what happens, since it seems like an unlikely coincidence that the two events would be unrelated. After reconnection, the engine started back up and it's idling fine right now, BUT reduced engine power still, and no gas when the accelerator is pressed. I'll post again with computer codes (hopefully).


Ozwalt
Novice

Jul 19, 2011, 9:00 AM

Post #5 of 12 (12395 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

2nd Update: Just hooked up the computer, and here's what I got. Bear in mind, this is AFTER the car started, the warning light came on, and the engine died. I'm going to redo this after disconnecting/reconnecting the battery to see if I get different codes before Reduced Engine Power kicks in.


u1017 Lost Communications with Engine Control Module
p2536 Ignition Switch; Accessory Position Circuit
p0036 Heated Oxygen Sensory Heater Control Circuit Sensory 2
p0201 Injector 1 Control Circuit
p0202 Injector 2 Control Circuit
p0203 Injector 3 Control Circuit
p0204 Injector 4 Control Circuit
p0205 Injector 5 Control Circuit
p0206 Injector 6 Control Circuit
p0449 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent Solenoid Control Circuit
p0480 Cooling Fan Relay 1 Control Circuit
p0481 Cooling Fan Relay 2 and 3 Control Circuit

and then:


Mil On
Monitrs
5 Inc
Catlyst
Evap
02 Sensor
02 Htr
Egr
3 Ready
Misfire
Fuel
Comp

Next set of codes coming in a few minutes.


Ozwalt
Novice

Jul 19, 2011, 9:12 AM

Post #6 of 12 (12394 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

And finally...

After disconnect/reconnect of the battery, the only code was

p2536 Ignition Switch; Accessory Position Circuit


Anxious to hear what everyone has to say, and thanks again for any help you can offer.


Ozwalt
Novice

Jul 20, 2011, 6:17 AM

Post #7 of 12 (12370 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

Ok, I guess I'm on my own from here on out. Thanks anyway.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 20, 2011, 6:28 AM

Post #8 of 12 (12367 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

The code scanner or whatever tool you are using should have a clear codes function. Clear the codes with the scan tool and not by disconnecting the battery. See which code(s) pop back.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


re-tired
Veteran / Moderator
re-tired profile image

Jul 20, 2011, 8:46 AM

Post #9 of 12 (12358 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

check all fuses with a testlight with key on


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


Ozwalt
Novice

Jul 20, 2011, 2:42 PM

Post #10 of 12 (12349 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

Thanks guys. Glad you didn't abandon me! Here's my final update:

All the fuses checked out okay -- hadn't thought of that, and figured I was about to feel REALLY stupid.

Also cleared the codes, but they all came back.

Called the dealership and asked a technician to check on my warranty info. I was pretty sure my warranty was gone, but that gave me a chance to ask him what he thought. He said, sounds like a computer glitch. The ECM on this car is on top of the battery. Did you have it flipped up out of the way when you started the car (cuz bouncing it around could have made it twitchy)? Yes, I did. He suggested resetting the computer by unplugging the battery for a few hours, then putting everything back exactly where it should go, and then cranking it back up. And apparently that was it. No codes, no warning lights, everything's cool. Twitchy computer. Go figure.

Glad I didn't have it towed in! Hope this helps someone else, should they have a similar problem.

Thanks again guys.


(This post was edited by Ozwalt on Jul 20, 2011, 2:43 PM)


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 20, 2011, 3:50 PM

Post #11 of 12 (12342 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

That's a new one. Glad too read that you gotten that thing figured out.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Ozwalt
Novice

Jul 21, 2011, 10:23 AM

Post #12 of 12 (12312 views)
Re: Desperate! 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Sign In

Yes. Sounded like a weird little quirk this guy had come across before. Can't imagine it was just a lucky guess.

Thanks again.






 
 
 






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