[jode]

Hello all, I have an 01 CTD with approx 167K that has a strange problem. The motor surges on and off while I am driving. Here's the specifics:

- It only seems to do it between 30-50 mph
- It only does it while I am trying to hold a constant speed (not accelerating / decelerating
- The tachometer shows the engine surging <i>up</i> about 1-200 rpm
- The surges last for just a split second, but as soon as the RPMs drop back to normal, another surge will kick in so the tach is bouncing up and down.
- The surges will stop if I press hard on the accelerator or if I let off the throttle completely

Are these symptoms indicative of any commonly known problems? Are there any things I could check to start narrowing down the troubleshooting?

Thx

 

[Ramtech]

very common problem, make sure battery posts are clean and make sure batteries are good. the corrosion produces "electrical noise" which cycles your torque converter in and out of lock up. good luck

 

[jode]

Awesome - thanks for the tip. That could definitely be the problem since my battery terminals / cables appear to be pretty badly corroded.

What can be done to get them cleaned up and to keep the corrosion from coming back? I have tried that battery spray can stuff in the past and it didn't really seem to help.

 

[BigBlue]

Sounds like the converter locking and unlocking. Wrap the black wire with orange stripe (pretty sure that's it) that's going from the alternator to the passenger battery in aluminum foil. That helped mine.

 

[ryanvv355]

I am having the same problem in my 99 except at 60-75mph, will try this tomorrow.

 

[Crazytexan]

Adjusting my APPS helped my surging while under a HARD throttle. Now i just need more volume of fuel.

 

[jode]

FYI, I cleaned all the corrosion off my terminals yesterday. I used PB Blaster to get it down a bit and then used a wire brush followed by water from the hose. Then I used a terminal brush to get new lead on the terminals and the connections and put it all back together. I drove her today with no more problems, so I'm going to have to say the operation was a success.

Now, what can I do to prevent the build-up of all that corrosion again?eelout

 

[ryanvv355]

Likewise for myself, I bought one of the fancy terminal cleaning tools and some dielectric grease, cleaned them up and shes acts a lot better now.

 

[dobienut]

very common problem, make sure battery posts are clean and make sure batteries are good. the corrosion produces "electrical noise" which cycles your torque converter in and out of lock up. good luck

So what about a 6spd standard? I'm dealing with what sounds like the same systems. Annoying part is a can drive the truck one day without a glitch, next day it's surging alot

 

[asheng]

I also have this problem with my 2001, with a 5 speed. It occurs when trying to maintain low speeds in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears, anywhere below 1300 RPM. The surging goes away when I accelerate harder. This makes for difficult city driving because I either have to be using a low gear with high RPM or be constantly accelerating and slowing down.

Anyone else experience this with a standard transmission?

 

[KeepItCrunk96ZJ]

My 99 5 spd did the same thing and it ended up being the internal computer in the injection pump. After a 420 dollar tow, might i add on a med duty chevy 6500 with a c7 and a 6 speed :drool2:, 76 miles at about 5 bucks a mile on my way home form a 2 week vacation ... But the injection pump was only a few months old, and it had happened randomly a few times on a few occasions and when it happened the truck was basically underiveable until it would get over its fit. Disconnecting the battery terminals would reset the internal pump computer but it would jsut freak out a few weeks later. it was a serious pita when you just replaced you vp. the computer is replaceable, but you would have to take out your vp to get it tested.

 

[dobienut]

I'm guessing by the time you take the pump off and get it tested, and then replace the computer, your probably just as far ahead to replace the whole thing?

 

[KeepItCrunk96ZJ]

ehh, i mean wuts it take to take the pump off, maybe 45 mins to a bit over an hour if its your first time? The computer and test and install would ahve been around 500 max if i rememebr right, but mine was still under warranty. I do tons of business with bosch so i got the pump for $1150, there usually around $1400+ online so personally id rather take it out test it n do a new computer before i bought a whole new one, but to each his own

 

[hipsi]

FYI, I cleaned all the corrosion off my terminals yesterday. I used PB Blaster to get it down a bit and then used a wire brush followed by water from the hose. Then I used a terminal brush to get new lead on the terminals and the connections and put it all back together. I drove her today with no more problems, so I'm going to have to say the operation was a success.

Now, what can I do to prevent the build-up of all that corrosion again?eelout

sealed batteries.

 

[dobienut]

ehh, i mean wuts it take to take the pump off, maybe 45 mins to a bit over an hour if its your first time? The computer and test and install would ahve been around 500 max if i rememebr right, but mine was still under warranty. I do tons of business with bosch so i got the pump for $1150, there usually around $1400+ online so personally id rather take it out test it n do a new computer before i bought a whole new one, but to each his own

I'll have to keep that in mind, I thought the computer would cost more than that..maybe an option when it comes time if thats what my problem would turn out to be Thx

 

[cummins159753]

my truck does it but only in 3rd gear around 30mph. it only happen once and every blue moon, usually when my dad drives it cause he drives slow and shift early compared to me where i drive it like it like to be drove and shift upward or 23 or 2400 rpm

 

[cummin*get*sum]

Hello I am new to these forums, I just purchased a 1999 dodge 3500 cummins today, I seem to be having a similiar problem driving at highway speeds ( 60-65 ) for about 20 miles the truck will suddenly loose power I slow down to a stop then the truck is normal again. Could you all give some advise? I do know that the batterys are alittle weak, and the the terminals have corrosion. I hopeing that it is nothing costly.

 

[cummins159753]

sounds kinda like apps but some one smarter will come in

 

[cummin*get*sum]

Seems to me like it is starving for fuel, not really sure, hoping not to be something real expensive.

 

[cummins159753]

if its starving for then lift pumps going out or done did and more that likly your vp is not going dead. about $1500 fix 1000 for vp and fass has lifts pumps for sale or did atleast for 499. do you have hard starting?

edit.. but after rereading your first post it sound like you apps. try resetting it. may have to buy new one