Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Strange sputtering problem.

[ANicklas]

So I was driving back from work tonight, and my truck was suddenly possessed. My first thought was "Oh F***!!!! Runaway!" but it didn't happen. Didn't happen again, and I'm still scratching my head.
Situation: Engine was warm (just about operating temp); Comp was turned OFF. I don't have injectors or any other mods.
Driving around the traffic circle, I was probably at about 1400 rpm. The truck bucked, like I had hit something, so I instinctively pushed in the clutch. Revs stayed around 1400, and the engine sounded like a gasser misfiring. I could hear the stacks behind me, and it sounded like a miss/misfire.
I would let out the clutch, and the truck would buck like crazy, so I pushed it back in and coasted to where I could pull off. By now RPM had hit ~2000 (hence my earlier thoughts). I was about to bite the bullet and turn the key, but the engine suddenly spun down to a normal idle (~850 rpm). Wasn't missing or anything any more.
I let it sit for a minute, then continued on. Didn't happen again, truck was pulling fine for the mile back to where I park.
Fuel pressure never skipped a beat, and no excessive EGTs. My buddy in the passenger seat said there was a huge cloud of smoke coming out of the stacks, but I couldn't see what color it was (had a headwind and it was dark out). He said it looked dark.
Sorry this post was so long, but I really have no idea what happened. I'm really, really hoping it's not my VP going south - I don't have the cash for a new one, and it's just NOT what I need this week.

Thanks for any advice.
aleksei

Edit: Forgot to mention fuel filter was changed about 8k miles ago. Due for a new one in 2k.

 

[RSimmons]

I had a very similar problem and it was a problem with my Edge EZ. Try to unplug the Comp from the can-buss connector and see if it acts a little better. Mine did the miss, sputter thing and even applied throttle ( I was sitting still in neutral) and revved like I had matted the pedal to the floor. The engine was at 3,000 and climbing when I turned off the key. I also was getting an intermittent code (P1689 if I remember correctly) indicating a communication failure between the VP44 and ECM. Edge fixed the EZ for free and all is well now.

 

[icman95]

Sounds like a bad sequel to the movie "Christine".

 

[ANicklas]

I'm really hoping it was just as isolated thing and I can blame it on my Comp not liking the cold weather.
The odd thing is that it was off (I normally drive with it on 1x or 2x). I donno.
No codes were set, but I'm getting a little closer every day to sending in my Comp and telling Edge for the $630 it cost they better fix it. I've had to wire it on it's own switched circuit so I can cycle power to it when it's acting up.
I'll see how it's doing tomorrow and post results.

 

[ANicklas]

Icman95: "Christine" was before my time, but I Googled it, and I swear my truck is related somehow. Must be a distant relation (it hasn't tried killing me yet), but some days it feels like it has taken over my life, and I swear it can tell when I have money - something breaks!

 

[icman95]

You made my day! I couldn't resist the reference, especially the MOPAR connection. I figured you'd be upset with my snide remark, but it seems like I hit closer to home than I thought. It really does sound like your computer is going weird on you. Hope it works out! Good luck.



BTW, "Christine" is mostly, but not exactly before my time. I'm only 34 so I was around for the movie, but too young to know it when it first came out. Saw it much later on.

 

[ANicklas]

Well I only turned 21 yesterday (told you I didn't want VP problems this week), so "Christine" is more from the time of the dinosaurs/my parents. Maybe I'll rent it one of these days.
Anyway, I was driving around after work, seeing if anything would happen. I was at operating temp, and I left the Comp off again.
Nothing tonight, thankfully. I'm going to try using the Comp again tomorrow, and see if it changes anything.
I saw on another thread the Edge has released version 10. 2 of their software, so I'm considering calling them and seeing if I can get mine reflashed.

 

[icman95]

Sounds like a good plan. Maybe you'll be able to do it over the internet rather than sending it back to them. That would be nice.

 

[ANicklas]

After today's nightmare doing front brakes, I'm thinking my truck may be at the bottom of the river by the end of the weekend.
No problems today with the engine, and everything seems normal... . I'd like to get my Comp upgraded because of the cold weather, so I'll try to look into that this coming week.