Reduced engine power

Asked by Jayhascarproblem Dec 23, 2018 at 01:13 AM about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt LT Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Ok I have a 2008 Chevy cobalt lt that I just
bought today went about 50 min from home
to get and when I went to buy it the car
sounded perfect it runned smooth when I
drive tested did not have a check engine light
so I bought it and drove it back home and
later at night I went back into my car to listen
to music while it was on for about an hour
(lost track of time ) and the car went into
reduced power engine, now the car has a
weird red push button next to the usb plug
that when I hold the gas gauge goes to
empty and the sensor lights all light up until I
release than it goes back to normal, now
before I went into my car and listen to music
(that led to the reduced engine power) I might
have pressed the button while driving. and
now that the reduced power happen I got a
check engine light and car would just rumble.
so I went online to try and look information
on that button but couldn’t find  so I
concluded that it might have been some sort
of anti theft button (in hope I didn’t make a
expensive decision in buying the car) so I
searched information on testing anti theft and
saw some tricks on there so I messed with
my car (held my key on unlock side of my
door for 15 sec as suggested) as well as
messed with the button while off, than my
steering wheel was locked while I was trying
to turn it on and it wouldn’t turn on, until I
moved my wheel all the way to the right while
I turned it on and it miracously turned on and
the reduced engine power was fixed was it
just coincidence and it had nothing to do
with it or is that what it was ?

1 Answer

18,245

Wow, that's quite a read. Ever heard of sentences? The best way to find out whats going on with the car is to scan it for trouble codes. While you're at it check that your battery connections are tight and load testing the battery wouldn't hurt either. It's a used car. it's bound to have a few issues.

3 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    munron
    Reputation
    8,130
  • #2
    John Carson
    Reputation
    2,270
  • #3
    MoGo
    Reputation
    1,980
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Impala
9 Great Deals out of 130 listings starting at $4,888
Used Chevrolet Malibu
59 Great Deals out of 1,067 listings starting at $1,995
Used Ford Focus
16 Great Deals out of 506 listings starting at $2,995
Used Chevrolet Corvette
16 Great Deals out of 722 listings starting at $10,989
Used Honda Civic
192 Great Deals out of 4,047 listings starting at $440
Used Chevrolet Equinox
102 Great Deals out of 3,331 listings starting at $1,695
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
200 Great Deals out of 8,052 listings starting at $1,500
Used Chevrolet Monte Carlo
5 listings starting at $9,800
Used Toyota Corolla
138 Great Deals out of 2,314 listings starting at $103

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.