Section 23 (Engine Controls - 8.1L - Troubleshooting & Diagnosis): Surges/Chuggles

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Surges/Chuggles

Inspection/Tests	Action
DEFINITION: Engine power variation under steady throttle or cruise. Feels like the vehicle speeds up and slows down with no change in the accelerator pedal position.
Preliminary	Refer to Important Preliminary Inspections Before Starting in Symptoms - Engine Controls. Search for bulletins. Inspect the powertrain control module (PCM) grounds for being clean, tight, and in the proper locations. Refer to Power and Grounding Component Views in Wiring Systems and Engine Controls Schematics . Verify the driver understands the operation of the transmission torque converter clutch (TCC) and A/C compressor operation as explained in the owners manual. Inform the customer how the TCC and the A/C clutch operates.
Sensor/System	NOTE: Refer to Silicon Contamination of Heated Oxygen Sensors Notice in Cautions and Notices. Inspect the heated oxygen sensors (HO2S). The HO2S should respond quickly to different throttle positions. If they do not, inspect the HO2S for silicon or other contaminates from fuel or the use of improper RTV sealant. The sensors may have a white, powdery coating and result in a high but false signal voltage rich exhaust indication. The PCM will then reduce the amount of fuel delivered to the engine causing a severe driveability problem. Inspect the mass air flow (MAF) sensor connections. Repair or replace damaged terminals. Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Fuel System	Test for incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis . Inspect for a contaminated fuel condition. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis (Without Special Tool) or Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis (With Special Tool) . Verify that each injector harness is connected to the correct injector or cylinder. Relocate injector harnesses as necessary. Inspect for the following that may cause the engine to run rich: NOTE: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in Cautions and Notices. Water intrusion in the HO2S connector Engine oil contaminated by fuel An EVAP canister purge condition Incorrect fuel pressure - Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis . Leaking fuel injectors - Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis . An inaccurate mass air flow (MAF) sensor Blockage on the inlet screen of the MAF sensor - Refer to Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Replacement . Vacuum hoses that are split, kinked, or improperly connected An air intake duct that is collapsed or restricted - Refer Intake Air Resonator Replacement . An air filter that is dirty or restricted - Refer to Air Cleaner Element Replacement . Inspect for the following conditions that may cause the engine to run lean: NOTE: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in Cautions and Notices. Water intrusion in the HO2S connector An exhaust leak between the HO2S and the engine - Refer to Exhaust Leakage in Engine Exhaust. Vacuum leaks Incorrect fuel pressure - Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis . Restricted fuel injectors - Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis . An inaccurate MAF sensor Fuel contamination - Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis (Without Special Tool) or Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis (With Special Tool) . Vacuum hoses that are split, kinked, or improperly connected
Ignition System	Soak the secondary ignition system with water from a spray bottle. Soaking the secondary ignition system may help locate damaged or deteriorated components. Look and listen for arcing or misfiring as you apply the water. Test for proper ignition voltage output with the J 26792 Spark Tester. Refer to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis . Remove the spark plugs and inspect for the following conditions: Correct heat range Wet plugs Cracks Wear Improper gap Burned electrodes Heavy deposits Refer to Spark Plug Inspection . An improper spark plug gap will cause a driveability problem. Gap the spark plugs using a wire gauge gap tool. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement . Determine the cause of the fouling before replacing the spark plugs. Monitor the Misfire Current Counters while driving the vehicle within the conditions that the misfire occurred. If a misfiring cylinder can be located, use the DTC P0300 table for diagnosis. Refer to DTC P0300 . Inspect for loose ignition coil grounds. Refer to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis .
Engine Mechanical	Verify that the engine coolant temperature (ECT) is not above 130°C (266°F). This condition causes the PCM to operate in Engine Coolant Over Temperature-Fuel Disabled Mode. While in Engine Coolant Over Temperature-Fuel Disabled Mode, the PCM turns fuel OFF to four cylinders at a time to keep engine temperatures from reaching damaging levels. The system perceives Engine Coolant Over Temperature-Fuel Disabled Mode as a lack of power, miss, or rough idle. If the vehicle operates in Engine Coolant Over Temperature-Fuel Disabled Mode, refer to Engine Overheating in Engine Cooling for diagnosis.
Additional Inspections	Visually and physically inspect vacuum hoses for splits, kinks, and proper connections and routing as shown on the Vehicle Emission Control Information label. Inspect the transmission torque converter clutch (TCC) operation. A TCC applying too soon can cause the engine to spark knock. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Automatic Transmission in Automatic Transmission 4L60-E/4L65-E.