2003 CTS "Reduced Engine Power"

trotter8 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-22-09, 08:35 AM

I have been having this problem since about January. The progression usually goes as follows. The car will behave perfectly fine most of the time, then implode. First the transmission will begin to shift very hard, then the idle RPM's will be way too high (spec is 650, I will get around 1100), sometimes the center stereo screen will show "Service Idle Control", then any short amount of time later the center stereo screen will show "Reduced Engine Power" and the car will basically cut all gas except enough to keep the engine idle. This will happen at any type of driving whether stopped at a stop light or going 70 on the interstate (which really sucks).

I have recently found that I can temporarily fix the problem by pressing F1 and F6 on the stereo to enter the diagnostic center and quickly hit "Clear All Codes". As soon as the codes clear, my fuel comes back online. It is the craziest thing that I am able to do this while going 70 on the interstate. I have taken the car in numerous times to the dealership and all they can do is reprogram the computer which will fix it for a short time. Last time they told me to replace the throttle body and I am desperate so I did. This actually seemed to increase the frequency of the problem.

Unfortunately there were more error codes on the computer, but I cleared them to get my fuel to come back. The one reoccuring code seems to be:

P0700C

This problem is killing me and I appreciate any help people are willing to offer.

chico · #2 (**permalink**) 05-22-09, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trotter8

I have been having this problem since about January. The progression usually goes as follows. The car will behave perfectly fine most of the time, then implode. First the transmission will begin to shift very hard, then the idle RPM's will be way too high (spec is 650, I will get around 1100), sometimes the center stereo screen will show "Service Idle Control", then any short amount of time later the center stereo screen will show "Reduced Engine Power" and the car will basically cut all gas except enough to keep the engine idle. This will happen at any type of driving whether stopped at a stop light or going 70 on the interstate (which really sucks).

I have recently found that I can temporarily fix the problem by pressing F1 and F6 on the stereo to enter the diagnostic center and quickly hit "Clear All Codes". As soon as the codes clear, my fuel comes back online. It is the craziest thing that I am able to do this while going 70 on the interstate. I have taken the car in numerous times to the dealership and all they can do is reprogram the computer which will fix it for a short time. Last time they told me to replace the throttle body and I am desperate so I did. This actually seemed to increase the frequency of the problem.

Unfortunately there were more error codes on the computer, but I cleared them to get my fuel to come back. The one reoccuring code seems to be:

P0700C

This problem is killing me and I appreciate any help people are willing to offer.

This is just a break down of the codes maybe it will help you to pin point the problem
P0700 - Transmission Control System Malfunction
P0701 - Transmission Control System Range/Performance
P0702 - Transmission Control System Electrical
P0703 - Brake Switch Circuit Malfunction
P0704 - Clutch Switch Input Circuit Malfunction
P0705 - Trans Range Switch Circuit
P0706 - Trans Range Switch Performance
P0707 - Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0708 - Transmission Range Sensor Circuit High Input
P0709 - Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Intermittent
P0710 - Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction
P0711 - TFT Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
P0712 - Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0713 - Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor Circuit High Input
P0714 - Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent

trotter8 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-22-09, 08:52 PM

I think I am going to replace the Transmission Control Module, that sounds kinda like the code description. Does this make sense?

txbest1980 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-22-09, 09:12 PM

i think that would correct your problem...please keep us updated...

trotter8 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 12:30 AM

I will be replacing the TCM in the morning, wish me luck because I am about out of ideas.

txbest1980 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 01:05 AM

if you dont mind me asking, how much did you pay for the TCM?

Kingoftypos · #7 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 01:14 AM

And where did you get it from? Dealer or auto parts store, IE autozone, napa and such?

KOT

fastforward · #8 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 01:18 AM

Man. I know how you feel... I have been having the same problem!! I had to take the VP of my company back and forth to the airport... I was praying and fasting 2 days before picking him up, asking God to not let me be embarrassed by my car going into reduce power while driving...ok so I didnt really do the fasting part... so guess what happened...just when I thought I was in the clear... Im taking my VP back to the airport and in the airport tunnel it went into reduced engine power and then turned off. How embarrassing.. lol. I acted shocked, like what the heck.... after I dropped him off, all I could do it laugh and tell God what a great sense of humor he has..

I think I have figured it out!! I have a appointment with a shop tomorrow.

When this started happening, I took it right away to the cadillac dealer. I paid $125 for them to diagnose it. They said it was a malfunctioning throttle body censor... it would cost $550 for it, and it would be 4 labor hours at $125. Which both prices are a rip off. I asked the dealer why so much? He said that's how they keep the lights on....

Anyway... I just bought today, the throttle body--The reason you cant buy the censor is because on the 2003 they are one part, so you have to get the whole throttle body... anyway, so I took it to a mechanic for a free diagnosis and told him what I needed done... they are going to charge me 2 labor hours at $70. I was gonna cry when he told me... ok so maybe not cry.. but anyway.... so I called up another cadillac dealer and used spoofcarddotcom to call using another dealerships phone number..(how spoof card works, is you type in the number you are calling, then type in the number you want to show on the caller id, then you enter your number, the system calls you and when you answe it begins to call the other party with the number that chose to show on the caller id).. so then I got transferred to parts and told them I was a dealer need to order parts, I ordered the throttle body and CPS--because everyone on this forum recommends it to fix the morning crank)

Guess how much they charged me.... $320 for the throttle body... I saved $230bucks..and $23 for the CPS... when I picked up the parts, I looked like a runner, put on my dickies short and shirt in black tennis shoes and wore a hat from Toyota... which was the dealership he though I was from...(maybe it was a little shady... but for $500 would you do it? thats how much I saved) .....ok so I am scheduled to take my car in tomorrow-Saturday at 11am. I will let you know if it fixed my problem!!

Kingoftypos · #9 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 01:40 AM

Sorry, I just couldn't hold myself...

KOT

fastforward · #10 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 01:59 AM

@Kingoftypos quit being a prick.

Kingoftypos · #11 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 02:59 AM

I just have a sense of humor just like you do. Only it's on a different plain of humor I guess.

KOT

txbest1980 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingoftypos

I just have a sense of humor just like you do. Only it's on a different plain of humor I guess.

KOT

whether the story is real or not, it was creative...lol...give him a little credit for that...

trotter8 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 08:41 AM

I believe fastforward. The dealership wanted over $600 for a new throttle body and they wanted to charge me over $500 in labor. I ended up buying the throttle body from a salvage yard with 30K miles for only $150. Then I installed it myself (a person with very little mechanical experience, especially in these new cars) and the install took me 25 minutes, including clean up. It is amazing what these dealerships think they are getting away with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by txbest1980

if you dont mind me asking, how much did you pay for the TCM?

The dealership wanted $380 for the TCM. I ended up buying it from Schram Auto here in Michigan. It is a used parts dealer that largely operates on the web through schramauto.com. You can always just call them also for nearly any GM part, they are great. The part ended up costing me $75 and looks like it is in great condition.

Sammy Z · #14 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 08:48 AM

I like his story and I've done something similar when working on a project call a vendor and tell him I'm from Motorola ask for an engineering sample, some times they send it to you for free.

Keep us updated. BTW is there a charge to use that spoofcarddotcom ?

CT ESSENCE · #15 (**permalink**) 05-23-09, 01:14 PM

FYI;

I replaced my TCM last week after multiple incidents involving on-again, off-again hard shifting [w/P0700 codes]. The install was easy and quick. Dealer price to me was $187.00. Tranny shifts like new again.

ALSO: my 03 cts was cranking abnormally [long cranks before engine start-up/ idle]. Code was throwing a faulty camshaft position sensor [high voltage]. This morning, the camshaft position sensor was replaced. Vehicle now cranks once with instant start-up/idle.