2003 Silverado problems

This morning when I woke up it was -12f, and I started up my truck. It hadn't been plugged in overnight. As soon as it started, the check engine light came on and the information center said "reduced engine power". I shut it down, and restarted it, same deal. I let it warm up for about 10 minutes, restarted, same deal. I had to get to the post office then to work so I drove it at the 15-20 mph that it would max out at. It seemed to be running fine, except, it wouldn't create any revs. At the post office I shut it off, and when I went out a few minutes later I started it. This time the information center said to service the brake system, and the check engine light, brake light and the abs light were on. The engine ran great, but the ABS didn't work. I am at work now, so I have no idea whats going to happen when I start it this evening. On the way home I plan to have the codes scanned. Does anyone have an idea whats going on? It has been running and working great. The truck has about 107,000 miles, and about 4000 on a new transmission. Thanks in advance for any help!!

This morning when I woke up it was -12f, and I started up my truck. It hadn't been plugged in overnight. As soon as it started, the check engine light came on and the information center said "reduced engine power". I shut it down, and restarted it, same deal. I let it warm up for about 10 minutes, restarted, same deal. I had to get to the post office then to work so I drove it at the 15-20 mph that it would max out at. It seemed to be running fine, except, it wouldn't create any revs. At the post office I shut it off, and when I went out a few minutes later I started it. This time the information center said to service the brake system, and the check engine light, brake light and the abs light were on. The engine ran great, but the ABS didn't work. I am at work now, so I have no idea whats going to happen when I start it this evening. On the way home I plan to have the codes scanned. Does anyone have an idea whats going on? It has been running and working great. The truck has about 107,000 miles, and about 4000 on a new transmission. Thanks in advance for any help!!


normally the ABS should not work...the brake light on may mean a line rupture or even the ABS control unit is going bad.

reduced power is most always the throttle body will need replacement if the connector for the TPS is good..the TPS if defective will require the throttle body to be replaced..this is quite common with this model year especially if someone used carb cleaner at some point..

getting the oem specific codes with this failure is required, before any parts are replaced..also a good inspection of the braking system..contaminated brake fluid as well..

normally the ABS should not work...the brake light on may mean a line rupture or even the ABS control unit is going bad.

reduced power is most always the throttle body will need replacement if the connector for the TPS is good..the TPS if defective will require the throttle body to be replaced..this is quite common with this model year especially if someone used carb cleaner at some point..

getting the oem specific codes with this failure is required, before any parts are replaced..also a good inspection of the braking system..contaminated brake fluid as well..

I am not sure what you mean when you say the ABS shouldn't work. I was on icy roads and they didn't work, which isn't right. The braking power on the dry portions of the road was sufficient and normal.

I am wondering why these two things happened the same morning, when it was fine yesterday. I am wondering if it was an electrical problem?? I'll have the codes scanned on the way home from work today and I'll post the results.

Thanks for the help so far!! And to be clear, the truck is a 5.3l gas engine, auto transmission. Thanks again!

I am not sure what you mean when you say the ABS shouldn't work. I was on icy roads and they didn't work, which isn't right. The braking power on the dry portions of the road was sufficient and normal.

Thanks for the help so far!! And to be clear, the truck is a 5.3l gas engine, auto transmission. Thanks again!


normally, on a normal road surface the abs should not work...the abs working on dry solid pavement is not normal...many have abs problems where this does occur all the time...if the vehicle is on ice obviously when braking the abs should be pulsating...with the wheels locking up..

it is possible rodents chewed wires...check all fuses and wires to the abs under the vehicle.. since the brakes work correctly on dry clean pavement this may be totally with the abs control module...this is a common failure..

then theres the reduced power mode...this is a TPS issue..the rodents may have been very hungry..