Regarding my 2010 Dodge Power Wagon. In low range and in first gear when navigating a steep descent I use the engine and the gearing to hold the vehicle back. I noticed that with this particular vehicle, the engine RPM's fluctuate quite a bit (±1500-1800 RPM) allowing the vehicle to accelerate and then slow down and then accelerate and slow down again. There doesn't seem to be any predictability to the fluctuation and this is the first Dodge that I have had this happen with. Is there something wrong? Thanks.

Also could this be related to intermittent surging under hard acceleration? It sometimes feels like it is being held back and then suddenly “let go” while accelerating aggressively. Thanks again.

Ike

 

what you are feeling is the torque management
it reduces throttle between shifts for smother shifts and to prolong trany life

 

you are correct sir lol
that is if thats what your explaining

 

Thanks for the replies. But it just doesn't make any sense to me. Let's say you are navigating (idling) down a steep slippery slope in low range and your engine rpms increase as does your vehicle speed due to this program, then suddenly your rpms decrease forcing the vehicle to slow as well which could cause you to break traction and lose control. Just seems odd. Is there a way to switch it off??

Thanks for the replies.

 

threre is no way to shut it off

 

Power Wagon: Is the truck shifting between gears when this 'surging' occurs? If not, then it is not torque management, at least as far as I understand torque management. I'm always open to being corrected with better facts than I have though.

Rob

 

To clarify - Truck is in low range and manually placed in 1st gear all the while applying no throttle. I test drove another one and it does the same thing. I have been using 1st gear in 4 low for years going into my camp in the canyon and I always just descend as slow as the truck will go - no brakes. Hell in the last 7 or 8 trucks (auto transmissions) that I had going down this same road in 4wd low range - 1st gear, I could practically get out and walk faster than the truck would creep. This just seems really odd to me especially in the "rock crawling" package that the P/W offers. Thanks again.

Ike

 

I am willing to bet that your ECU is trying to get your engine to idle... as speed drops the truck adds fuel as it thinks it is about to stall... the truck surges as the additional fuel is burnt... then the truck speeds up which means the ECU no longer thinks it is about to stall so it cuts fuel so rpms drop....

It is a symptom of not quite developed engine control software, and an electronic throttle.

Full disclosure: This is my theory based on your symptoms and my previous experience.