3.6L light throttle engine surge

[bwright1818]

Same with me: 2019 Wrangler Sport with 6 speed manual. Between 35 and 45 mph it is unquestionably the worst running vehicle I have ever owned. I can hardly stand to be in it. Seriously, it is an absolute JOKE, the way it runs. I couldn't test drive before I bought it, because I ORDERED it. If they are ALL doing it, then they are producing them knowingly with a problem. I believe this would be called consumer FRAUD, not just a tech issue. Mine is at its second dealer, who has finally at LEAST got a regional tech rep on the way. I am not holding my breath though, because there isn't even a star case started yet. I honestly believe they have NO CLUE how to fix it. And yes, Jeep "Cares," (NOT!) I have a case # started with you ladies.

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[Ronnie S]

Same with me: 2019 Wrangler Sport with 6 speed manual. Between 35 and 45 mph it is unquestionably the worst running vehicle I have ever owned. I can hardly stand to be in it. Seriously, it is an absolute JOKE, the way it runs. I couldn't test drive before I bought it, because I ORDERED it. If they are ALL doing it, then they are producing them knowingly with a problem. I believe this would be called consumer FRAUD, not just a tech issue. Mine is at its second dealer, who has finally at LEAST got a regional tech rep on the way. I am not holding my breath though, because there isn't even a star case started yet. I honestly believe they have NO CLUE how to fix it. And yes, Jeep "Cares," (NOT!) I have a case # started with you ladies.

I hear you my friend! My 2019 manual Two door Rubicon does it too. Same situation as you as I special ordered mine. A month ago I test drove another manual (Sport) at my dealer and it did it too but around 45 mph. All these manuals do it. The tech couldn’t find any codes for it so we didn’t want to rip everything apart to figure it out. I honestly think it’s a crappy oem tune. I’ve been running premium in mine and it has helped some but my sputtering / bucking / surging is still there between 40-45 mph. I must say at 5,200 miles it seems to be getting a little better. When I get my first oil change I plan on addressing the issue again. Let us know if you get anywhere with your dealership. Sure would like this thing solved as these Jeep Wranglers should not be doing this. I did find a sort of a workaround for it. Sometimes I’ll hold 2nd gear until 40mph and then shift to 3rd. Rpms get to around 4,000 so it doesn’t hurt it just sounds loud cuz it’s time to shift. These 3.6’s are made to rev so it does not hurt it one bit. This has bypassed the issue for me.

 

[trav87]

Jumping in on this lovely issue also. My Sport with D44 Limited Slip started bucking/surging shortly after my rear axle was replaced due to knocking. I wasn't really worried about it since the rear axle replacement was just a bandaid since all part numbers ended in AA still.
Sounds like I guessed wrong. Mine seems to happen after longer periods of driving 60-80 mph, then slowing down to 60 and under. The first time there was a decent headwind. It's definitely not a constant issue, and I can't recreate it on demand.

 

[JeepCares]

Jumping in on this lovely issue also. My Sport with D44 Limited Slip started bucking/surging shortly after my rear axle was replaced due to knocking. I wasn't really worried about it since the rear axle replacement was just a bandaid since all part numbers ended in AA still.
Sounds like I guessed wrong. Mine seems to happen after longer periods of driving 60-80 mph, then slowing down to 60 and under. The first time there was a decent headwind. It's definitely not a constant issue, and I can't recreate it on demand.

Hi trav87,
We understand that an intermittent concern like this may make it hard for your dealer to properly diagnose but please send us a private message if you do decide to visit your dealer for further inspection so we can have this documented and looked into further.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Tylerjcloud92]

they had a re-flash our a while back for the surging idle when the a/c was on and that actually fixed that problem for me mine still surges forward at idle if i turn the steering wheel i guess it has something to do with the way it responds to electrical load

 

[JimLee]

they had a re-flash our a while back for the surging idle when the a/c was on and that actually fixed that problem for me mine still surges forward at idle if i turn the steering wheel i guess it has something to do with the way it responds to electrical load

Agreed, I think the turning thing is because the engine idles up to handle the electrical load, be careful at mall crawling speeds I almost jumped a curb slow turning into a spot and having it surge. I have gotten used to it now, but it freaked me out at least once.

 

[Rufus]

I have a 6 speed manual Sport, I have not noticed this...yet. But I will be following this thread and will report back. I have only 500 miles on it so far though.

 

[donaldbyrd]

Agreed, I think the turning thing is because the engine idles up to handle the electrical load, be careful at mall crawling speeds I almost jumped a curb slow turning into a spot and having it surge. I have gotten used to it now, but it freaked me out at least once.

I’m here in Portland and we just had a really hot week. Each day required a/c and as I halfway home I started surging at stop lights. The worst was when I got home. I park close to my garage door. If I wasn’t mashing the brakes it would have surged forward and pushed in the door. You can also hear a rhythmic groan.

Conditions to reproduce:
Car running more than 20 min
A/c or heat
Come to a stop - if ESS engages take your foot off the gas or do something else to get the engine started again.
You’ll hear the groan
Take your foot off the gas slightly and you’ll get the surge with the groans.. it’s strong though so make sure you have space to move forward.

 

[Tylerjcloud92]

Agreed, I think the turning thing is because the engine idles up to handle the electrical load, be careful at mall crawling speeds I almost jumped a curb slow turning into a spot and having it surge. I have gotten used to it now, but it freaked me out at least once.

It’s really annoying when you’re actually wheeling and in 4Lo it’s more than enough throttle to surprise you and put you somewhere you don’t want to be.

 

[JimLee]

It’s really annoying when you’re actually wheeling and in 4Lo it’s more than enough throttle to surprise you and put you somewhere you don’t want to be.

Good point,I haven't really noticed it there, but maybe because my big ol fat unlimited takes a bit more throttle to get moving than a 2 door in the gnarly stuff.

 

[donaldbyrd]

Posted a couple other places, but want to make sure I cover the bases on this issue to share that I think my issue was solved.

I took my '18 JLUR in today for the TSB noted in other threads. See image below. Issues were: Loud fan. Surging idle which causes lunging or dented garage doors when coming home from work...

I saved the image on my phone and showed the TSB number to the dealer. They were great about it. They took the car, gave me a loaner (i did have to request it when i made the appt) and they called me a couple hours later to tell me that I was right - it needed the update and they completed it. I can't tell if it made a difference yet, but it's done and it was easy.

My only questions with this whole thing are (1) why I didn't receive notification of this TSB, and (2) why they didn't know to do it a couple of months ago when I brought it in for the ESS/Bad secondary battery/AppleCarplay Bad GPS issues. All have since been fixed, but i had to do the research to direct them more specifically myself. All thanks to this website.

Also, I have to say hats off to Lithia Jeep here in Portland. Customer service was outstanding. In and out super fast even though there was a line when I got there.

 

[emdub]

Heard back from the dealership that has had my Jeep since Tuesday (4 days). Here is what they said, "The technician got the software updated, the transmission relearned. At the end of the day on the last test drive he felt a little "bump" while driving. He needs to recheck to verify the transmission did in fact relearn. There have been times when, for what ever reason, they don't learn. I'll know more Monday morning."

I'll report back here Monday when I hear more.

 

[#1 for me]

I have been experiencing the same issue. Mine is a 19 and only has a little over 1000 miles on it. I seem to notice it is at its worst when I am at highway speeds, haven't paid any attention to rev's. I don't like it though on my $56K + Wrangler.

I don't know if you have the problem corrected by now being 5 months later but you might try putting a K&N high flow air filter in and see if that helps there about $55.00 last air filter you will ever have to buy I put one in mine at 12 miles on the clock and have never felt a surge what so ever yet . The OEM air filter suffocates the hell out of that engine it probably 2inches thicker then the K&N . Just saying !

 

[emdub]

Heard back from the dealership that has had my Jeep since Tuesday (4 days). Here is what they said, "The technician got the software updated, the transmission relearned. At the end of the day on the last test drive he felt a little "bump" while driving. He needs to recheck to verify the transmission did in fact relearn. There have been times when, for what ever reason, they don't learn. I'll know more Monday morning."

I'll report back here Monday when I hear more.

Here's the latest update:

"Mr. Wright, the Wrangler is done, I just got back from the road test, it ran good. The tech did note that you may feel a slight shudder, as of now that is normal, but it sounds like Chrysler is working on a software for that. I did not feel it in yours but have in other Wranglers. "

Heard back from the dealership that has had my Jeep since Tuesday (4 days). Here is what they said, "The technician got the software updated, the transmission relearned. At the end of the day on the last test drive he felt a little "bump" while driving. He needs to recheck to verify the transmission did in fact relearn. There have been times when, for what ever reason, they don't learn. I'll know more Monday morning."

I'll report back here Monday when I hear more.

 

[emdub]

Just picked up my JL from the dealership. They said they were able to fix the shutter in the transmission.

Here's what I reported to them initially:
"CUSTOMER STATES AROUND 20-30 MPH UNDER LIGHT LOAD ON SLIGHT INCLINE, THERE IS A LIGHT SHUDDER FEELING. IT IS NOT A JOLT OR JERK, VERY LIGHT FEELING IN VEHICLE."

Here's what they wrote on my service report:
"NEEDS 8/9 SPEED TUTORIAL, AND PREFORM QUICK LEARN CHECK OUT CUSTOMER STATES THERE IS A LIGHT SHUDDER AROUND 20 TO 30 MPH, MOST OF WHAT IS EXPEIRINCED FEELS LIKE NORMAL SHIFT AND TORQUE CONVERTER OPERATION. PREFORM 8/9 SPEED TUTORIAL, CHECK FLUID CONDITION AND LEVEL. LEVEL IS GOOD AND CONDITION IS GOOD, CHECK FOR PCM TCM SOFTWARE UPDATES. NO UPDATES. PRERFORM SCAN REPORT AND ATTATCH, PREFORM TOPOLOGY REPORT AND AYATCH HAS NO FAULTS, RST ABOVE. 8 PREFORM TRANS QUICK LEARN LO 21580140. AND ADAPTIVE DRIVE LEARN POSECDURE, VEHICLE SHIFTS AND FUNCTIONS AS DESING TEST DRIVE OK. SERVICE ADVISOR ROAD TESTED, SYSTEM OPERATES AS DESIGNED."

Other than the poor grammar and spelling, looks like re-learning (re-tuning) the transmission did the trick. So far I can't feel the shutter. Time will tell, though (glass half empty kind of guy). Hopefully this information will help others who are having a similar issue.

Cheers!

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