Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Surging Problem

[Herb D]

About 2 weeks ago I noticed a surging at slow speed (less than 25 mph) so I took my 2000 Dodge into the Cummins shop for a fuel pressure check. It checked OK.



Today it surged again, twice. It seemed to be around the shift point from first into second. The engine is fine under acceleration or highway driving but now I'm wondering if it could be caused by the auto transmission. Any help? Suggestions?



Herb

 

[Breck]

Not sure where you are from or what mods, if any, you have. I had a surging problem and it turned out to be the EZ in the cold weather of Michigan don't get along with the trucks ECM. I guess the readings the IAT sensor gets from the IAT when it is cold out cause this?



Is your surging happening more at a certain RPM than speed?



I guess you could check your IAT sensor to see if it is clean and the leads are connected.



Sorry I couldn't be more of a help At least it gives you a place to start



I would do a search for surging and see if you can find a surging problem that fits your conditions.



V/R



Breck

 

[Jrowe]

I have this same problem. It happens all the time. You notice when the truck switches from 1st to 2nd while go at a slow speed. This is the only time I have this problem. When I accelerate quickly, it stops.



Does anyone have any idea what my problem could be. My truck is a 01, 4wd sport, with no mods yet, 33k miles. My fuel pressure runs about 13 at idle and 11 during normal driving (learned quickly to install a fp gauge after looking around this site).



Thanks in advance. I've searched through several pages and not come up with an answer. I want to get this fixed, before I install any bombs (got a afe stage 2, and EZ waiting to go in)

 

[YEEHAW]

Mine does it too. It started after I installed the TST and I'm pretty sure it's the transmission. Anyway, 4 more weeks and I'll have a DTT!

 

[Jrowe]

So you think it's the transmission and not an electrical problem, such as a sensor or the computer needing a reflash.



I'm assuming this would be a warranty item. Does anyone know the specifics on the time and mileage limits for warranty work. Can I just take it in with an appointment, or should I go to a dealership and talk to them.



If anyone else has this problem, feel free to jump in.



Thanks

 

[YEEHAW]

Jrowe - Your surging might be different than mine. I've got 110k and I'm out of warranty. My transmission is slipping mighty bad - it had alot of abuse with the TST and right foot. You've got at least a 36k warranty on the transmission and 100k on the engine. I'd call and make an appt then take it in.

 

[ateal]

Herb,



I had the same type of problem recently (and so did my father-in-law). My truck would buck or surge shifting from 1st to 2nd. I really noticed it when I'd pull the boat out of the lake. I took my truck in to Dodge and they replaced some pressure sensor and solenoid in the transmission. Works great now. The next time it is bucking or surging, try and put the gear selector down into 1st. If it quits bucking, then you may have the same problem. Hope this helps.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Tsb

18-02-99 All Erratic torque converter clutch (TCC) operation.

This information applies to vehicles equipped with a 5. 9L 24-valve diesel engine and automatic transmission built between January 1, 1998 and December 18, 1998. Some vehicles may exhibit a surge-like condition while in fourth gear. This may be caused by the TTC unlocking and locking when it should be consistently locked. The cause of this erratic operation has been identified as electrical noise from the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) or Alternator. This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software (calibration changes 98cal12 and 99cal14).



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Some 00 and 01 trucks have had this issue show up as well. Just throwing this one out to ya.

 

[Jrowe]

Herb,



I had the same type of problem recently (and so did my father-in-law). My truck would buck or surge shifting from 1st to 2nd. I really noticed it when I'd pull the boat out of the lake. I took my truck in to Dodge and they replaced some pressure sensor and solenoid in the transmission. Works great now. The next time it is bucking or surging, try and put the gear selector down into 1st. If it quits bucking, then you may have the same problem. Hope this helps.

Do you know what pressure sensor and solenoid they replaced. I've got an appointment Friday morning to take my truck in, and wanted to be able to tell the tech when I talked to him.



Also did they do the same thing for your father-in-law's truck.



Thanks

 

[ateal]

I dug my invoice out, they replaced the govenor transducer and solenoid. The parts listed are the AD Transduce-Pressure sensor, Solenoid-Transmission Gov. , Gasket and ATF. The tech told me this was fairly common for the automatics. Cost me $450.



Same thing with my father-in-law, both trucks running great now.



Hope this helps.

 

[Jrowe]

Thanks a lot

Just wanted to give a big thanks for the help. I took my truck in last Friday, and they replaced the same parts as you listed. Fixed the problem, It's so nice not to have to deal with the bucking/surging in traffic. Luckily I had about 1200 miles left on the warranty, so it was all covered (even got a free trans filter change out of the deal).