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Loss of power: Codes, Causes & Fixes

Noticeable loss of power usually has one of a few causes: the engine computer has entered limp mode, a turbocharged engine is underboosting (P0299), airflow is restricted by a dirty MAF sensor or clogged air filter, fuel pressure is low, or the exhaust is blocked by a failing catalytic converter or full diesel particulate filter. Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data first – they usually show which of these paths to follow.

214Codes
3.1Average severity
22%High or critical
9%DIY-friendly
Severity distributionSeverity distribution

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All codes (214)

P0174 Powertrain The cylinder bank without cylinder 1 is running lean even with the maximum fuel correction… Moderate P0182 Powertrain The fuel temperature signal is pulled close to 0 V, so the engine computer thinks the fuel… Low P0190 Powertrain The signal from the fuel rail pressure sensor has dropped out or become unusable to the engine… Moderate P0191 Powertrain The rail pressure reading is electrically valid but doesn't make sense for how the engine… Moderate P0193 Powertrain The rail pressure sensor signal is stuck near the 5-volt limit, above anything a working sensor… Moderate P0201 Powertrain The ECU sees an open or faulty electrical circuit to injector 1, so cylinder 1 is probably… Moderate P0202 Powertrain Injector 2's circuit is open or out of range; on an inline-four it's a middle cylinder under… Moderate P0203 Powertrain The ECU sees no normal electrical response from injector 3: its coil, its wiring or its driver… Moderate P0204 Powertrain The circuit to injector 4 is open or out of range; on most transverse engines that's… Moderate P0205 Powertrain The ECU sees a broken or faulty electrical circuit to the cylinder 5 injector, so that cylinder… Moderate P0206 Powertrain Injector 6's circuit is open or faulty. On an inline-six that's the rear cylinder, tucked under… Moderate P0207 Powertrain The ECU lost normal control of injector 7, which only exists on V8 and larger engines. Moderate P0208 Powertrain The circuit to injector 8, the rear cylinder on bank 2 of a V8, is open or doesn't respond… Moderate P0216 Powertrain The ECU can't control or confirm injection timing, usually on a diesel with an electronic… High P0217 Powertrain The engine overheated. Stop driving: continuing can warp the head, blow the head gasket… Critical P0221 Powertrain The second throttle angle signal leaves its window or stops following the plate, so power… Moderate P0231 Powertrain Voltage on the wire feeding the fuel pump is too low while the pump is supposed to be running. High P0234 Powertrain Boost rose above the safe limit the engine computer allows, so it may cut power to protect… High P0235 Powertrain The engine computer found an electrical fault in the boost pressure sensor's wiring… Moderate P0236 Powertrain The boost sensor's signal is electrically OK, but its readings don't make sense compared… Moderate P0237 Powertrain The boost sensor signal has dropped near zero volts, reading less pressure than the atmosphere… Moderate P0238 Powertrain The boost sensor signal is stuck near 5 volts, so the computer sees impossibly high boost… Moderate P0243 Powertrain The engine computer found a fault in the electrical circuit of the solenoid that controls… Moderate P0246 Powertrain The wastegate solenoid control circuit reads too high, usually a short to power or a shorted… Low P0263 Powertrain Cylinder 1 is producing noticeably more or less power than the others, beyond what fuel trim… Moderate P0269 Powertrain Cylinder 3 isn't pulling its weight, or is pulling too hard, and the fuel correction for it… Moderate P0275 Powertrain The fuel correction for cylinder 5 is past its limit. Only engines with five or more cylinders… Moderate P0299 Powertrain The turbo or supercharger isn't building the boost pressure the engine computer is asking for. Moderate P0300 Powertrain The engine computer sees misfires that jump between cylinders or hit several cylinders at once. High P0301 Powertrain Cylinder 1 is repeatedly failing to fire. The cause is almost always its coil, plug, injector… Moderate

Symptoms