My 2010 4.0 has 89,000 Kilometers and I had a problem show up the other day that is new and a bit scary.

I was passing two vehicles and held the throttle down. Consequently it felt like I hit the rev limiter, with the engine bucking like it was cutting in and out, but from that point on it would miss at any throttle or RPM and the engine light was flashing. Continued home with the worry shutting it down would leave me stranded. After restart the engine runs normally and no further problems, but I have not dared go as far up the range as before.

I have held it down for extended passes before without this or any other issues. Fuel is Shell mid-grade with no ethanol.

Any idea what or why this occurred?

ps. One thing I planned to look into this week was what seems a slightly louder exhaust than normal when listening from the drivers seat, but brake torquing or accelerating with the windows open does not sound any different.

 

Flashing check engine light is indicative of a serious misfire. Pull the codes and see if any are stored.

 

I was accelerating quickly I watched the rpm’s go to the red line as soon as it got there the van stopped down to 45 and the engine light came on immediately it’s still on but the car drives fine