3.6L light throttle engine surge

[emdub]

Same exact thing happens with my JLU which was built in Oct, 2018. Drives me NUTS!!!!!!!! I've had it to the dealership. They test drove it and couldn't duplicate the issue. I drove it with the tech in the passenger seat and could duplicate it on demand. They looked at the Jeep after the test drive and said their is nothing wrong.

A few posts ago, @Kevin Mojito described the issue perfectly:
"The symptoms are the same. Light throttle or steady state cruise, getting a bucking / surge / bogging / pumping brake feeling. It could also be described as a straight strong head wind pushing on the front of the Jeep. The easiest way to tell for me is, 1-2* incline ( used off road pages for that info ) try and stay around 25 mph steady. It can't do it. Feels like someone is pumping the gas, or brake pedal. I have tried manual mode, no change. It does the same at rpms from 1300-4000 rpm.Any gear,did not try any higher rpm. Once you know what your feeling, its at any speed ( mph ) or gear. The only thing that seems to be consistent is the rpm 1300-4000 rpm, with light or steady speed."

@JeepCares - Anything you can do to assist?

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[emdub]

I just did a test drive with my JLU with the ESS on and off. I can consistently duplicate the issue described above when I've disabled the ESS. So, I can live with the ESS stopping my engine over the transmission bucking / surge / bogging.

 

[Ronnie S]

This is what @practicaltact said about the issue......

"The more I read about the Variable Valve Lift/Variable Valve Timing cooled exhaust-gas circulation EGR in the 3.6 the more it seems therein lies the problem. Essentially that the exhaust vale lift mode or intake valve timing is causing cylinders to fire in a non-optimally powered way under load. For instance, this is from the Jeep 2018 all new wrangler press release:

"The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine employs a two-step variable-valve lift (VVL) cooled exhaust-gas circulation (EGR) and innovative weight-reduction strategies that boost the engine’s efficiency and performance. The system is designed to remain mostly in low-lift mode until the customer demands more power; then it responds by switching to high-lift mode for improved combustion. The result is less overall pumping work, which on its own, helps improve fuel economy."

I imagine if @Superchips JL have optimized the valve timing and valve lift algorithms for power over economy perhaps these problems do go away with their flashpaq tune. I'll try DMng them to see if they respond."

We have both private messaged @superchips to see if there tune helps the issue.

 

[AlamedaJeep]

I just did a test drive with my JLU with the ESS on and off. I can consistently duplicate the issue described above when I've disabled the ESS. So, I can live with the ESS stopping my engine over the transmission bucking / surge / bogging.

@emdub Is yours a manual or automatic transmission. Thanks!

 

[emdub]

@emdub Is yours a manual or automatic transmission. Thanks!

Automatic, 3.6 ltr.

 

[JeepCares]

Same exact thing happens with my JLU which was built in Oct, 2018. Drives me NUTS!!!!!!!! I've had it to the dealership. They test drove it and couldn't duplicate the issue. I drove it with the tech in the passenger seat and could duplicate it on demand. They looked at the Jeep after the test drive and said their is nothing wrong.

A few posts ago, @Kevin Mojito described the issue perfectly:
"The symptoms are the same. Light throttle or steady state cruise, getting a bucking / surge / bogging / pumping brake feeling. It could also be described as a straight strong head wind pushing on the front of the Jeep. The easiest way to tell for me is, 1-2* incline ( used off road pages for that info ) try and stay around 25 mph steady. It can't do it. Feels like someone is pumping the gas, or brake pedal. I have tried manual mode, no change. It does the same at rpms from 1300-4000 rpm.Any gear,did not try any higher rpm. Once you know what your feeling, its at any speed ( mph ) or gear. The only thing that seems to be consistent is the rpm 1300-4000 rpm, with light or steady speed."

@JeepCares - Anything you can do to assist?

Hi emdub,

I understand your desire to reach a solution for this. We can't necessarily change the diagnosis that was given by your dealer. We can connect with them for further clarification and make sure all options were explored or we can work with another dealer for a second opinion. Feel free to send us a direct message as we'd be glad to discuss this in more detail and help however we can.

Jasmine
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Litfuse]

Hi emdub,

I understand your desire to reach a solution for this. We can't necessarily change the diagnosis that was given by your dealer. We can connect with them for further clarification and make sure all options were explored or we can work with another dealer for a second opinion. Feel free to send us a direct message as we'd be glad to discuss this in more detail and help however we can.

Jasmine
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Stop talking to dealers and start talking with FCA engineers. If you don’t have the means to make contact with them, find someone who does. Jesus.

 

[PDQ]

My 2019 JLU Sahara does exactly the same thing. It surges on light pedal just before getting to the brake pedal. Once I came very close to jumping the concrete parking curb at the grocery store. Mine does it 2-3 times every drive. This along with the wandering steering issue I also am experiencing makes my new Wrangler very unpleasant, dangerous, and almost impossible to drive, let alone enjoy. It is absolutely amazing to me that FCA has not taken care of either of these two issues. UNBELEIVEABLE!!!!!!

 

[Bravo]

2018 6spd... same symptoms at no throttle/idling in a high gear coming to a stop... if I downshift to get the R’s higher and put a load on the engine it clears

 

[PDQ]

Does anyone know if there is a Star case yet or anything at all from FCA on this surging issue?

 

[Kevin Mojito]

nothing I've heard about.
still bucking and surge everyday...........
This is the last thing on the list to get fixed.

 

[drdriller]

My auto 2019 does it too. I figured I’m the only one

 

[JimLee]

Mine does it with light or no throttle when turning the wheels, like turning into a parking spot. I think it's the engine idling up to keep up with the power draw of the electric steering box. I've learned to compensate for it and will probably just live with it. It became more pronounced after lifting and adding 35's which makes sense if it is what I think it is. 2019 3.6 auto.

 

[mlebofsky]

2019 JL 3.6 auto 2 door - same surging here.

 

[jl73660]

my 2018 MOAB does same thing, very annoying and dangerous. Mine also surges by itself when you pull into a parking space for example and take your foot off the accelerator its surges forward on its own and then finally stops. Mind numbing how poor the quality is with these vehicles. Someones going to have an accident with this issue somewhere if it doesnt get addressed, if they haven't already.

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