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Surging/shuddering between 40-60mph in 5.7l

27K views 44 replies 21 participants last post by  TurboRush 
#1 ·
Has anyone experienced a surging and shuddering sensation from the engine when driving between 40-60mph? It feels like the engine is missing. I'm thinking there is an issue with the MDS. I've tried driving in sport mode and in tow mode and it still feels the same.
 
#2 ·
Depending on when yours was built there's a TSB for drive ability that helps but it doesn't clear it up completely. It's the only complaint I have with the vehicle but I've become used to it. BTW, I don't think it's the MDS, I think it's the drive by wire throttle calibration. I did an impromptu test the other day and if I set the cruise at 50 on a flat, smooth road it's smooth as can be. When I use the throttle, regardless how smooth I try to be it stutters. And yes, I have had the TSB applied, it was horrible before the TSB, it's livable now.
 
#4 ·
Mine has a build date of August 2010 and the dealer won't even attempt anything to resolve this issue. Has been present since I brought it home in October 2010. Happens to me under load going up hills in top gear.
 
#5 ·
To All that have a 2011 Jeep GC... Are you have the surge/shudder/missing sensation in the 35 to 60 ish mph speed, light throttle acceleration? Harder push on the throttle and it goes away? I purchased my GC in Aug of 2011. It is a May build, I think (need to double check that). I have about 3000 miles on it now and it seems worse at times on the same roads and similar weather conditions. Seem like it is a strange characteristic that may tie back to some "auto" feature. I have tried different transfer case modes and anti-slip on and off. Not sure if i need dealer to do the TSB Flash, or what... What say you?
 
#6 ·
It's the tune and torque converter not playing well together...there is a TSB out for it, but I'm not sure that it completely fixes the problem. My dad just had his computer flashed for low rpm shudder that was most prominent upon approaching hills and they told him it would take a while for the adjustments to work.
 
#7 ·
Mine is a 2011 May build now with 4K on it. Have noticed more shudder now. I do not think it is a torque converter problem since it varies greatly day to day, on the smae roads, same speed. I still wonder if there is an automatic feature or sensed perameter that under certain temperature conditions changes. Not sure. At the dealer now and they are looking at this problem.
 
#8 ·
i took in my overland for 35mph to 65mph vibration,drone,so far they flashed it,changed 4 rims and tires,valvebody,tommorow there doing the driveshaft,they did find one bolt bent out of shape that was part of the drive shaft but still no fix. anyone got better luck?
 
#15 ·
So what does the drivshaft dampener cost to fix this. I had the shuiddering for years. If I hit the tow/ haul buttom it does not shudder.
 
#17 ·
Is this really a shudder or is it the slight missing sensation that the hemi seems to have under load at these speeds? I think the word shudder has been way over used in reguards to this vehicle. To me a shudder would a shudder not that missing or surging feeling that seems to be normal for this engine. This word shudder is used to descibe almost every issue it seems. If its something that is normal and is in the design weather we like it or not the dealer is not going to be able to fix it.
 
#18 ·
IMO it does not matter if people describe this as a shudder or missfire...the fact is, it is occuring and in the case of my Overland, has gotten worse since first noticing it as an "annoyance" after it was a month old. At that point, it was just noticeable and I probably would have just lived with it after a few visits to the dealership...BUT IT can as I am finding out get worse with miles (now 36,000Km on mine).
 
#19 ·
IMO it does not matter if people describe this as a shudder or missfire...the fact is, it is occuring and in the case of my Overland, has gotten worse since first noticing it as an "annoyance" after it was a month old. At that point, it was just noticeable and I probably would have just lived with it after a few visits to the dealership...BUT IT can as I am finding out get worse with miles (now 36,000Km on mine).

My point was when everything is called a shudder it is hard to understand what symtom the person is trying to descibe. The miss or surging feeling that the hemi has under certain conditions is just that nothing close to a shudder.
 
#20 ·
Thanks for reply...I understand what you are saying and agree when mine first exibited the condition, it was a feeling of slight miss or surge but...when it gets worse as mine has, it could be described as a "shudder" as it will do it continuously when under slight load or going up slight inclines. I have informed Customer service that I would have given up on this issue if the vehicle had done since new and if it had not gotten worse but it has and it is a disgrace that they are not doing something about it. I have driven some 2011 GC that you have to work at feeling anything at all in them and then another that was as bad as mine.
I test drove 3 2011's before buying mine and none of those had this issue bad enough to notice and when I got mine, it was only after a few thous KM's that it was noticeable at all and as before, if it stayed like that then would have accepted by now that it is inherent.

IMO opinion I did not test drive ones like this, did not request this issue from Chrysler, did not receive mine like this so why should anyone just give up and let them away with this?

Don't mean to rant..srry all.
 
#23 ·
I just picked up the 2012 model and it seems as though the issue may be persisting with the new 6 speed box. The first 700km were smooth but from then on I noticed the change when accelerating slowly and smoothly. Misfiring sensation. My dealer said it may have been some dirty fuel I picked up in Oman. (known for it, but i never had the issue when driving other vehicles in this country) so just to be sure i am running 97 Octane fuel for 2 tanks and wil see if this helps.. Just clocked over 2000km. Will post again after the 2nd tank of premium fuel is emptied.

Also the 100km to 120km vibration in the tires is also there.

New software out in Dec (in the UAE) for the noisy/clunking gear shift from Drive/N/Reverse
 
#25 ·
My experience has not been good with this misfire. As with yours, I did not have an issue for a few thousand KM's, then it started and was minor but annoying but since has gotten worse. many trips to dealer, calls to customer service and only thing they now respond is that this is normal. No explanation as to why it was not present from new...no explanation as to why it has gotten worse over time and no information if it will continue to get worse or not.
 
#26 ·
Dear all,

I have been fighting with this issue since June (misfire sensation under light acceleration) and had the car inspected, tested by a number of engineers, and no solution has been found (applied all TSBs for driveability, which made the gearbox itself smmother in changing gear, but resolved none of these sypmtoms).

So, how does the misfire/surge/shudder sensation manifests itself?

1) In 4th and 5th gear once the torque converter has locked up
2) Whilst accelerating softly enough so that the car does not unlock the torque converter and changes down a gear
3) From 40mph+, between 2000-2500 rpm
4) In all modes, Auto/sport etc, as well as in D or Autostick (when allegedely the MDS is not operational)
5) When driving at 70-80mph, I also get a slight vibration "driving over washboard effect", particularly when driving up a slight incline with the cruise control on.

The technical explanation given to me 3 times now by the service manager who has spent hours in friendly conversations with me:

1) Connecting the laptop to the ODC whilst driving, he could see that under the conditions described above the torque converter keeps locking in/out in succession, within few hundreds of a second

2) This is driven by the MDS software, the MDS needs the torque converter to lock/unlock when engaging/disengaging

3) This command to the torque converter is given also when in Autostick mode, and it exhibits the same behaviour, although the MDS is allegedely not active

4) The issue does not occur in lower gears because the torque converter does not lock up

5) Subsituting the torque converter will not improve things as mechanically there is no slip or any loss in it at all

A Starcase is open at Chrysler to look into the issue.

Do I believe all of this? Well, who knows.
The only doubt that I have is whether the 4x4 system has any play in this at all.
The question back to you folks: do you all have 4x4 and accuse these symptoms?

The Jury has emitted its verdict though: that is the way the car is and will remain. I wanted to switch to the 2012 model, until I found out that the gearbox is exactly the same, just reprogrammed.

Appalling, as a drivetrian issue as serious as this on this type of vehicle is enough to steer customers away. I come from a history of bmw and audis, and no way they exhibilt any form of embedded mechanical imperfection. Some have issue, yes, but they do not come with a drivetrain issue as standard.

All the best,

Daniele
 
#36 ·
So, how does the misfire/surge/shudder sensation manifests itself?

1) In 4th and 5th gear once the torque converter has locked up
2) Whilst accelerating softly enough so that the car does not unlock the torque converter and changes down a gear
3) From 40mph+, between 2000-2500 rpm
4) In all modes, Auto/sport etc, as well as in D or Autostick (when allegedely the MDS is not operational)
5) When driving at 70-80mph, I also get a slight vibration "driving over washboard effect", particularly when driving up a slight incline with the cruise control on.

The technical explanation given to me 3 times now by the service manager who has spent hours in friendly conversations with me:

1) Connecting the laptop to the ODC whilst driving, he could see that under the conditions described above the torque converter keeps locking in/out in succession, within few hundreds of a second

2) This is driven by the MDS software, the MDS needs the torque converter to lock/unlock when engaging/disengaging

3) This command to the torque converter is given also when in Autostick mode, and it exhibits the same behaviour, although the MDS is allegedely not active

4) The issue does not occur in lower gears because the torque converter does not lock up

5) Subsituting the torque converter will not improve things as mechanically there is no slip or any loss in it at all
This is exactly what happens to my 05 model and I can't find a way to fix it. It only started happening around 3 months ago after all those years but it's driving me nuts that I can't find a concrete solution to the problem.

Anyone had a successful fix?
 
#27 · (Edited)
Daniele, I think the worst part for me is that this issue was either not present or so minor it was not noticeable to me when new...and then it started doing it and has gotten worse as miles go on (now at 36,000km). This lends me to believe that something is degrading causing this issue to get worse over time/mileage. I would like to post a pic of the spark plugs out of my engine for everyones review...can someone let me know how to add a picture???
 
#28 ·
Guys here is an update on mine. I had the torque converter replaced several weeks ago and it's actually been worse since it was replaced. I took it in a week after the install and had the service manager drive it and he acknowledged that he felt the shuddering sensation and would apply the TSB update AGAIN as it might not have taken the first time I brought it in. I've taken it in three times alone now for this problem and I'm still having the same shuddering. I'm calling Chyrsler tomorrow to open a case. I am not happy since I've had five visits in four months of ownership for major faults. I'm almost to the point of trading it in and taking a loss on it.
 
#30 ·
Guys here is an update on mine. I had the torque converter replaced several weeks ago and it's actually been worse since it was replaced. I took it in a week after the install and had the service manager drive it and he acknowledged that he felt the shuddering sensation and would apply the TSB update AGAIN as it might not have taken the first time I brought it in. I've taken it in three times alone now for this problem and I'm still having the same shuddering. I'm calling Chyrsler tomorrow to open a case. I am not happy since I've had five visits in four months of ownership for major faults. I'm almost to the point of trading it in and taking a loss on it.
I am afraid this proves point 5) of my post above, I have given up the idea of getting hte torque converter substituted, it really sounds like a software logic to me.

I would be interested to know if all of us suffering from this problem have the 4x4 transmission.

Daniele
 
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