I have 2006 Malibu Maxx LS... for the first time today when I started my car the check engine light came on along with a message "eng pwr reduced". Shortly after that the traction control was disabled. I was unable to accelerate over 30 MPH. Over the past few months a message has displayed "check gas cap" this eventually goes away and causes no immediate problems.... could they be related problems?

 

Get it scanned, no point guessing.

 

Someone posted somthing on the Impala section awhile back about the throttle body idle air motor?? causing this. But it should show up on a scan like slls says.

 

By wire throttle, no IAC.

 

So the ECM controls idle and air mix? Wonder how? Explain "by wire" to an old guy.

 

+1 to that. Second, and IAC vavle will not cause power loss it will stick open and will cause high idle. If its fly by wire it means it has an electronic throttle body, not cable drive like the older cars (all the way up to about 2004 is when it got popular to have electronic TBs). The ECM controls AFR by open/closed loop mapping. Its all electronic. Tis one of the reasons I try to stay away from newer cars. They have too many electrical issues.