2006 Impala p2138: Service Traction Control & Engine Power Reduced Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor

Driving at 70 mph with Cruise Control on, suddenly the dash reads: "Service Traction Control" alternating with "Engine Power is Reduced," with the symbols for "Check Engine" and "Traction Control Off." Naturally, I panicked and thought about a For Sale ad on Craigslist! Car did not act sluggish, was fully driveable, no symptoms except the Cruise Control wouldn't work and the flashing info, etc.
Pulled over and turned off the car for a while while researching the possible issues. Came up with a laundry list on Forums, KZbin, etc. List included: Wheel Bearings, Dirty or bad ABS Module, ABS Wiring Harness, Throttle Position Sensor, Tire Pressure Sensors, etc. Many others said they'd dumped $1,000 or more chasing the symptom with no satisfaction.
Went to O'Rielys and borrowed their code reader and it's a p2188, Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor. I'd found on A1 Auto's video, "Chevy Impala Top 5 problems" that their #4 is this exact issue and code. Reccomended not to use the OEM part, but an upgrade. After all, the car is 15 years old, so sensors will go bad. In the old days, cables did this job and sixty year old cars still had working gas pedals and cables. But, how can car companies make money if their cars work forever?
Ordered the part and was able to fix it in under ten minutes. It took longer to make this video and upload it! I hope this helps others. I had some symptoms previous to this and was scheduled for a Transmission check to have it scanned. Symptoms: from zero-5 mph, a jumpy, surging, hesitation that I thought could be Transmission, or a host of other issues. But, since I'd done the full 100K mile service, I was not wanting to dump money into this car.
Result? Ran smooth and acceleration response to gas pedal depressing was very improved. Parts: Dorman 699-104, $120, but different years and different engine sizes may vary.
Making this simple, low tech video to help anyone else out there who was about to put a For Sale sign on your Impala. Or, set it ablaze, dump it in the lake, trade it in for a bicycle, etc. Good luck.

[@joehace3874]

Thank you very much, that is some very valuable information

[@michaeltanner5058]

I changed mine a couple months ago and its done it again.

[@stevebutler812]

Was it the OEM part? Hopefully not "Made in China." Try ordering from A-1 Auto, who makes higher quality replacement parts. Try electrical spray on connectors. That part was missing on the many salvage yard cars, so it's a very common issue. Maybe return / exchange the part, bcuz sometimes it's a bad part. If it immediately improves the situation then you have some idea it's the part, or a connection, in that area. Clear the codes by disconnecting the battery (as described) for 15 mins and see what happens, how long til symptoms return. Frustrating and stressful. But, if that doesn't work you may need a diagnostic to avoid parts just changing. Electrical is definitely not my thing. Best wishes.

[@michaeltanner5058]

@stevebutler812 no it was advance auto carquest premium accelerator pedal.

[@stevebutler812]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b569lGx7jMebfa8

[@stevebutler812]

Heres a KZbin video that might help on the same issue: It is the sensor(s) in the pedal, or the ECM, or the wiring between. Try a ECM re-learn after changing the pedal (disconnect battery, wait 15 mins, reconnect) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b569lGx7jMebfa8