I'm 17 and I have a job and a family to take care of so I need this fixed asap. Yesterday I was getting in my car to go to work and my key got locked in the ignition and the theft deterrent symbol appeared on the dash. Soon it let me remove my key but the car would not start when I re entered it. It would make a clicking sound 3 times and then I'd try again. Nothing. I decided to jump my car, thinking the battery could be the issue. It starts, but now the car vibrates and says ENGINE PWR REDUCED on the driver info center, and the check engine light comes on as well. Could the problem be the alternator? I need a new battery? Or the engine? I need help, any info would be much appreciated

 

There are alot of possible fixes but it would help to know what CEL your getting. Do you have access to a scanner?

 

Yeah codes would help alot

 

did anything happen when you were driving it last or did it drive normally?

 

It drove perfectly normal since I've had it. My brother came over and used a code scanner and said he'd let me know tomorrow but I don't know what the codes were. I'm just hoping I can fix it soon, I have a busy week at work and my mother's already started arguments with me about it

 

How old is your battery? Sounds like your battery is done.

 

You should get you battery load tested and see if you need a new one

 

The codes pointed to the throttle body but it also could be the cars computer system. I hear alot about people getting throttle body repairs and the problem is still there. Should I replace the battery first then see if there problem still exists just in case the computer isn't getting enough power to function correctly?

 

Do what eddie said and get it tested at a parts store first. Theres no point in wasting $100 on a battery and it not being the problem.

 

Batteries about 12 months old. If the battery doesn't have much power left on it could that be the reason the car is acting up? It starts up but the 2 days prior to this entire situation the air conditioner was warm and the windows were slowing down. The computer system in it could be malfunctioning bc of the low battery?

 

Thank you all for your help btw

 

Its possible yes. Also possible you have a bad alternator thats not charging your battery. Thats why you need to test it.

 

Yup but since its easier to get to the battery i would start with that then the alternator

 

could be a ground issue as well. I've seen bad ground wires do some funky things.
start by getting the battery tested, then work your way from there.

 

Battrey load test...alt test ...and report back.

 

probably alt. BUT since it went out all of a sudden chances are its also a loose wire. Check connections at the batt, alt and fuse box

 

I'm gonna take it Monday to a shop to get it on a diagnosis machine. I have a race next weekend and I put $50 down. Dumb idea, but Im hoping it'll be alright by then

 

i would check your maf sensor if you havnt already. i kept getting that when i would try to accelerate more. after i replaced the maf it went away

 

I has this happen in my car once and I freaked out lol. Turns out it was the battery for me.

Also had a cobalt where it also did the same thing and aftee changing the engine harness I noticed it was missing a ground that goes under the fuse box facing forward. After I connectes the ground car started every time and stoppes the engine power reduced issue.

My brother's cobalt suffers from engine power resuced notification and he also gets throttle related codes. It started aftee he supercharged it and we changed the throttle and still comes on. He usually waits about 10 mins before he takes off and wont get the codes.

Sorry for the long post lol. Juat sharing the experiences I have had with this issue