Reduced Engine Power message
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2016
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Reduced Engine Power message
2008 6.4L Powerstroke Super Duty was stuck outside for 5 days during the recent blizzard. After a dozen or so false starts where it ran for 5-7 seconds and died, it finally kept going at rough idle for 10 minutes until it smoothed out. However, from first start it displayed the "Reduced Engine Power" message. I had noticed that it tried to initiate the "Drive to clean exhaust filter" sequence several times while feeding cattle at the start of the storm before we were socked in. I assume it was never able to complete those cycles as I was not on the highway. As we were one of the last to be plowed out, naturally all the mechanic shops are loaded up. I chanced a drive to the local O'Reilly Auto store for a free code scan, but the only thing they said they picked up was a code for a bad glow plug that we have had for three years. Do they know what they are doing, or do I need a better scan? We are just trying to find something we might be able to work on until we can get into a Ford shop. 286,000 miles, stock, replaced particulate filter a year ago, replaced EGR at around 230,000.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
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It sounds like you will have to take it to a shop that can run a regen cycle for you. If you don't drive to clean when the message appears it will go to reduced power mode. That being said if you can get it up to 50 mph or so it should start a clean and clear itself.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2016
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I had it run up to 60 on the 30 mile round trip to O'Reilly Auto and back, but it never tried to start the "Drive to clean filter" regen. Should I assume the regen is suppressed as long as the "Reduced Engine Power" message is displayed? Surprisingly, it ran pretty smoothly on the trip.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2016
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The "Reduced Engine Power" message displays with key on, engine off, as well as after starting.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
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If you were in reduced power you wouldn't be able to go 60 mph. On my truck the reduced power also came with a check engine light.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,766
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From: East Tawas, MI
Just kind of curious, if you pull both neg cables off overnight. Give it a look in the morning after charging said batteries while they're out of service.
It shouldn't scrub codes, but it is free and scrubs one theory.
Denny
It shouldn't scrub codes, but it is free and scrubs one theory.
Denny
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2016
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Just finishing with third storm in three weeks with 16+ inches of snow and wind, so we are buried again. I was wondering if disconnecting batteries would clear any codes. I think the batteries are fine, but may try to experiment with that tomorrow. There is a third battery that powers the bale bed on the back. Once before that got low, but then it shut down the pickup completely without showing any codes. Strange, but a new third battery fixed that shutdown. Snowed in and can't get to town, so may try batteries tomorrow if the weather is not too bad.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 56
From: East Tawas, MI
So this **** started with the 3rd battery.......................I spy that that's you're problem. You're voltage isn't apparent (hooked up correctly) but your amps might be your problem. These ECM/PCM's are acutely impatient.
Disconnect the bale, charge your chargables and see what you see. I'm seeing a farming infection.
Denny (charge batteries)
Disconnect the bale, charge your chargables and see what you see. I'm seeing a farming infection.
Denny (charge batteries)
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 56
From: East Tawas, MI
BTW, What's the date on your truckside batteries?
Could be as easy as that. 5 or older with problems, get oem motorcraft. Keep your grounds, (all of them) and your other side current and you'll be startled.
Denny
Could be as easy as that. 5 or older with problems, get oem motorcraft. Keep your grounds, (all of them) and your other side current and you'll be startled.
Denny
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5th Wheeling
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All batteries are all just going on 2 years old, but the bale bed gets lots of use. I hope to get some time to do some work on them tomorrow. Moving snow and feeding cows comes first.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2016
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Update. Small miracles sometimes happen. The big V-plow actually made it by our place late this afternoon, so I made a quick call to a reputable independent shop run by a former Ford service manager I know. I kind of got a foot in the door by asking for an oil change, and they agreed to pull codes while they are at it. Will see what happens.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2016
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I did a quick check with a battery tester, but didn't have time to disconnect/reconnect any batteries. Just heard from the local shop. They changed oil and checked codes. They did a forced DPF regen, but the Reduced Engine Power message came back up. Most likely the bad weather and little road time have the DPF filter too full. We put this filter on new 14 months ago, so evidently the regen cycles when they did happen, were not very effective. Now will have to decide if we want to replace the filter again, or go another direction.