Truck hesitates "Jerks" while driving

[BLandau]

I just had the truck at the dealer because of the CEL. When I picked up the truck I noticed that it hesitates “jerks” when my travel speed requires me to maintain about 1400rpm. If I remove pressure from the accelerator pedal, and then reapply my foot “lightly” the truck will “jerk”. It is very annoying. I notice the problem at all travel speeds, but only around 1400rpm.



The dealer performed a modification to the turbo, and an ECM update. The truck is getting slightly better fuel mileage, but the hesitation while driving is new.

 

[JRader]

Mine does it to, but i only notice it when the motor is still cold.

 

[BLandau]

I just remembered that the dealer replaced the throttle pedal assembly because it was rattling. This was done during the same visit for the CEL. Do you think this has anything to do with the problem.



The hesitation is consistent all of the time.

 

[GaryOwen]

I was thinking it sounded like a throttle position sensor (or accelerator position sensor or whatever they call them now). I think that is where your problem lies.



Gary

 

[SSchang]

My 2008 does the same thing. It seems that it happens before it is totally warmed up while traveling 35-40 mph. Hasn't been enough of an annoyance to take it in.

 

[DPKetchum]

Sounds like a torque convertor lockup issue or shudder to me. Somemore info in some of these signature's like transmission and gear ratios would be helpful.

 

[CEly]

Mine has a similar shudder that I would suspect is convertor related. Mine occurs if I let off the throttle lightly while at crusing type speeds then gently roll back in the throttle to accelerate. The truck actually jerks noticably. The harder the transition from coasting to acceleration, the more violent the jerk is.

 

[BLandau]

Sounds like a torque convertor lockup issue or shudder to me. Somemore info in some of these signature's like transmission and gear ratios would be helpful.

Sorry, I thought I updated my signature the other day. I will check it again. I have the automatic (68RFE) with 3. 73 gears.

 

[DPKetchum]

Not just your sig. but lots need more info.

 

[RWolf]

My 08 3500 with a manual does the same thing. Took it to the dealer and all he said was a lot of people or having the same issue but he had no fix.

 

[DieselLady]

Could be related to EGR. Just guessing here, but there is a butterfly in the intake that opens and closes depending on the EGR ratio. When I first blocked my EGR on my truck I had this terrible jerking / surging that was cured by 2 things. 1 unplugging the batteries for about 10 min and then removing the butterfly in the intake. I am thinking that maybe the Soot that is introduced into the intake could be causing the butterfly valve to catch and open and close in a jerking fashion instead of smoothly. This is just a guess so by no means a sure thing but it sound similar to what I experienced. Easy to check though. Just remove that little square thing in the intake manifold and see if the butterfly valve moves freely or is all sooted up or something. I would remove the neg cables while I am doing this just to give it time to clear the computer. Worth a try I suppose.
EGR tends to come on with lower RPMs too so that could be what it is.

 

[Dobeman]

TSB 18-033-07 Rev. B may apply depending on when she was built.

The vehicle operator may experience a MIL illumination due to one of the following DTC's:
P0106 - Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Performance.
P242B - Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Performance - Bank 1 Sensor 3
P245A - EGR Cooler Bypass Control Circuit - Open An intermittent rough engine idle and/or white smoke following initial engine start.
A throttle tip-in stumble at engine speeds of 1,300 to 2,100 rpm.
An engine hesitation at altitude of 5,000 feet between engine speeds of 1,200 to 1,600 rpm.
A turbocharger “chuff-like” sound during rapid deceleration.
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with “bootloader” software and application software.

 

[mxaaron]

Wow, you would think by 2011 they would have this stuff figured out.



My 09 with 17000 miles does exactly what you guys are describing here. My truck is a manual, and I don't recall ever having this issue before the J35 flash. It seems to be getting more and more prevalent, and it very annoying.



My dealer knows nothing about why it would do this. Big surprise there.

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Mine is doing it also. Was thinking it was cause I was running with the exhaust brake on all the time. Almost like a miss or a stumble. usually when I am starting out and am feathering the throttle a little. if i mash the throttle there is no stumble, no miss, no chuff sound. mech at dealer just scratches his head.

 

[mxaaron]

I too run the EB all of the time. You hit the nail on the head, It always happens on light throttle, and never when I have my travel trailer on the truck. What a disappointment... .



Maybe I just need to change my driving style.

 

[ceomall]

Mine also does a jerk once in a while when you let off the "gas".



It will also do it once in a while at highway speeds if you let off the throttle then get back in it right away. I was told the on-off-on the throttle causes a fuel pressure rise that is released rapidily when you get back on the throttle and is normal.



That does not explain the once in a while jerk when only letting off the throttle (usually when coming up to a stop).



Had it in a few weeks ago and it never did it on the test drive with the service writer . They pulled a code P1451 and said I needed to drive on the highway 30-45 min on the invoice to clear the code... . I am contemplating an Edge Insight CTS now to monitor this silly little contraption under my truck.



It has done it even before the J35 update.



I also had it in a few months ago with a cel (codes P242F and P1451) and they replaced the DPF and said they also cleaned the EGR, but that did not help the jerk.



It is the one real complaint I have about the truck... other than a bunch of rattles.

 

[DieselLady]

The trans has a really hard shift from,,,, I think when it is about to shift to 4th and you let off,,, it will slam back into 3rd. I think that is what gear it is. I always mean to check but I am never looking when it happens. They had a flash for it back in early 08, maybe late 07. You might try that.

 

[mxaaron]

Oh God, don't even get me started on the rattles.

 

[ceomall]

I have all the latest updates and they checked last week for any additional that may help the shift "jerk".



I have noticed that if I drive a while without the EB, it seems to go away. It is much more noticeable with the EB on and shortly after running with it on. When it does happen on mine, it is almost immediately upon letting off the throttle and then the EB gently kicks in.



If it were an older car and happened more, I would swear the torque converter was having lockup issues.



I am staring to think it may be the Turbo needs to be cleaned. I was hoping to get the dealer to do it the other week, but they would not without a code. That was the 2nd dealer I have tried to speak to about this issue, but both just look at me like I am on crack and are the only 2 dodge dealer in town.



Also not mentioned before is I have only 15,000 miles with about half towing a 6k lbs TT.

 

[LDigman]

Same problem here '08 2WD Auto 30,000 mi
A Dealer needs to drive one of these trucks and record the data with Starscan off of the EGR,trans gear,Lockup and throttle sensor to see whats going on.