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Dead Spot in Acceleration 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 3.6VVT

17K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  DurangoZ 
#1 ·
I have a dead spot in the acceleration of my Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the 3.6L VVT engine. It is quite annoying. I just got out of a 3.7L SOHC Jeep Grand Cherokee that was much more responsive in traffic. I have taken it to the dealership a couple of time and they can't seem to find anything wrong with it. This dead spot is going to get me killed in rush hour traffic. I contacted Jeep Customer Server and entered a CAIR. The don't seem to be to concerned about it. I am an ex Chrysler Factory Rep and I know when I am being BS'd. Has any one else run across this problem?
 
#2 ·
Perhaps it is the drive by wire or ETC lag? The Hemi sufferes from the same, whereby the vehicle learns your milder daily driving patterns, so it may result in a lag from pedal to throttle response. While this can be reset by the owner (see below post), the annoyance will return over time and use. The tuners are perhaps the best method to reduce the ETC lag, though I cannot speak to that yet.

http://www.jeepgarage.org/f5/electronic-throttle-control-etc-lets-discuss-9838-2.html#post214514
 
#3 ·
Yeah -- the dead spot between 0-4000 rpms. The V6 is very poor on low end grunt. It's geared horribly. All the test reviews state it take a lot of revs to get it moving. It's adequate for me. But coming from my Ram with 3.92s, I do find myself often having to floor the Jeep to get it moving.
 
#9 ·
I too have this same dead spot at lower speeds, especially when trying to accelerate up a slight grade at approximetely 30 mph. When I attempt to give it just a little throttle to make it up the grade nothing happens, then by the time it does decide to react I have the accelerator pedal pushed so far down that it now causes it to kick down a gear and accelerate like crazy. Never in 50 years of driving different makes of cars have I ever encountered this type of problem.I have had it back to the dealership to reflash the engine and transmission computer modules. Still the same. Was loaned a Toyota on two different dealership repairs to this vehicle and I can tell you there was no hesitation what so ever with there vehicles. Any future purchase of a JGC by me will be dependant on this problem being rectified. I too am worried about an emergency situation where acceleration is needed that it would respond in time.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Greetings,

I have the same problem with my 2011 3.6. After the engine broke in, the response got better. I still use the auto stick and always use the sport mode for the highway as long as conditions allow. Also, turn off the Hill Assent option if you do not need it for city/highway driving. After 28K on the engine now, I still like the Penastar 3.6.

Now, on few suggestions by others and reading in this forum discussion, I should look into a Cold Air Intake (CAI) and possible adding a dual exhaust system.

For CAI's, Mopar has one, others are from K&N and Airaid just to name a few.

Otherwise, I love the JGC.

Best for now.:)
 
#13 ·
Jeep didnt put a new 8 speed transmission in the 2014 for the whopping 1mpg gain.

The new GC is just too heavy with the high gearing to move properly. The Wrangler has the same setup with lower gears and is lighter so moves fine with it. The GC not so much.
 
#15 ·
I never had this exact problem with the dead spot, it is true the Pentastar does not feel as agile as one would think, but I am sure it's the gearbox, that mercedes box is awful.
I still like it overall, you just need to get used to the pedal feel, and to use de manual mode every now and then.

I installed the Mopar CAI, it was just what i was looking for! IT DOES NOT HELP WITH ANYTHING, just adds a low note on the acceleration, enough for you to notice if youknow it's there, but feels very "OEM". If you are looking for a strong admission not, this is not the way (idk if other cais are different, or it's the apentastar that is just not too loud).
 
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