Surging when applying gas in gear
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
Surging when applying gas in gear
Hello all,
First off, I am a long time lurker, but first time commenter. This site has helped me out through countless questions, issues, etc and I would like to thank everyone that comes here.
2009 TL Automatic w/tech package 147K mi
My issue started off after I filled up with gas and got a car wash with underbody clean. That may or may not be a coincidence, but its worth noting.
The issue started with the the car surging between about 2500-3500 rpm when accelerating until I took my foot off the gas. When I reach higher speeds there doesn't seem to be an issue, but I drive modestly. I noticed on my drive home that whenever I came to a stop if I was going up hill the start would cause the surge and I would have to remove the gas until it subsided and then apply slower. If I was going downhill the surging would be less or sometimes not existent.
The first thing I did was check the ATF and it was about 0.6qts low and brownish. So I went to the dealer to get enough ATF for a 3x3. After the second fill the fluid looked mostly red, but I noticed if I just went into gear the car would stall before applying any gas. At this point I started looking deeper to see what could be causing the problem. One person suggested a dirty EGR valve was the solution so I removed it and inspected. It was coated with carbon, but no large buildup. I have the service manual so I went through the process of checking resistance across pins 2-3 and 2-4. I checked voltage at the connector (8V at the command and 5V on the supply). I also had a 5V PSU around so I hooked that up and the valve actuated. I reinstalled the EGR.
I have a fairly old battery (about 6 years) that I often have to charge fully about 3 times during the WI winter. I put the charger on while I was troubleshooting today and noted that after a while I was able to get into R and D without the car stalling. At that point I checked the voltage while running - about 14.5V so the alternator must be working. The voltage is about 11.5V while ignition is turned on without the engine on. This was while checking parameters with an EM327 bluetooth OBD reader.
Is it possible that a bad battery is causing this? I am out of ideas and the next thing I might try is swapping the battery from my wife's car to see if that fixes it.
Here is a video of the issue. I can easily replicate by putting a foot on the brake and switching into R or D and applying gas.
2009 Acura TL Surging When Applying Gas
First off, I am a long time lurker, but first time commenter. This site has helped me out through countless questions, issues, etc and I would like to thank everyone that comes here.
2009 TL Automatic w/tech package 147K mi
My issue started off after I filled up with gas and got a car wash with underbody clean. That may or may not be a coincidence, but its worth noting.
The issue started with the the car surging between about 2500-3500 rpm when accelerating until I took my foot off the gas. When I reach higher speeds there doesn't seem to be an issue, but I drive modestly. I noticed on my drive home that whenever I came to a stop if I was going up hill the start would cause the surge and I would have to remove the gas until it subsided and then apply slower. If I was going downhill the surging would be less or sometimes not existent.
The first thing I did was check the ATF and it was about 0.6qts low and brownish. So I went to the dealer to get enough ATF for a 3x3. After the second fill the fluid looked mostly red, but I noticed if I just went into gear the car would stall before applying any gas. At this point I started looking deeper to see what could be causing the problem. One person suggested a dirty EGR valve was the solution so I removed it and inspected. It was coated with carbon, but no large buildup. I have the service manual so I went through the process of checking resistance across pins 2-3 and 2-4. I checked voltage at the connector (8V at the command and 5V on the supply). I also had a 5V PSU around so I hooked that up and the valve actuated. I reinstalled the EGR.
I have a fairly old battery (about 6 years) that I often have to charge fully about 3 times during the WI winter. I put the charger on while I was troubleshooting today and noted that after a while I was able to get into R and D without the car stalling. At that point I checked the voltage while running - about 14.5V so the alternator must be working. The voltage is about 11.5V while ignition is turned on without the engine on. This was while checking parameters with an EM327 bluetooth OBD reader.
Is it possible that a bad battery is causing this? I am out of ideas and the next thing I might try is swapping the battery from my wife's car to see if that fixes it.
Here is a video of the issue. I can easily replicate by putting a foot on the brake and switching into R or D and applying gas.
2009 Acura TL Surging When Applying Gas
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
I monitored the voltage and it stays above14V.
Here are a couple more videos to show what's happening. I don't know why the Evap system vapor pressure goes between 120 - 16200 Pa. That's odd.
2009 Acura TL Surging 2
2009 Acura TL Surging 3
I also tried to hear the PCV valve click while pinching the hoses while in idle and I couldn't hear anything. I don't know a bad PCV valve would only effect the car while in gear and not in Park.
Here are a couple more videos to show what's happening. I don't know why the Evap system vapor pressure goes between 120 - 16200 Pa. That's odd.
2009 Acura TL Surging 2
2009 Acura TL Surging 3
I also tried to hear the PCV valve click while pinching the hoses while in idle and I couldn't hear anything. I don't know a bad PCV valve would only effect the car while in gear and not in Park.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
Fixed!
I was casually talking to one of our newer co workers and he suggested that when the gas was applied the RPM should go up if there is an issue with the torque converter. It was going down so he suggested it might be a fuel issue.
He suggested Seafoam and octane booster. I figured it was just another $20 to try while waiting for the Acura dealership to return my call. The service dept put me to voicemail and didn’t return my message all day. I recall they did the same thing last time I had an issue. Anyways I picked up some Seafoam and 108 octane booster and put both in the tank. I shuck the car back and forth between each. I let my car idle for about 10 minutes before taking it out. I babied it all the way to the country road where I started to open it up. On my way there I was surprised at all much better it felt, but didn’t want to get my hopes up.
To my surprise there was no loss of power and everything was back to normal!
I must of got bad gas at the gas station with either gunk, water, or low octane. I headed to the store to pick up some Irish Whiskey to thank my co worker for his suggestion.
He suggested Seafoam and octane booster. I figured it was just another $20 to try while waiting for the Acura dealership to return my call. The service dept put me to voicemail and didn’t return my message all day. I recall they did the same thing last time I had an issue. Anyways I picked up some Seafoam and 108 octane booster and put both in the tank. I shuck the car back and forth between each. I let my car idle for about 10 minutes before taking it out. I babied it all the way to the country road where I started to open it up. On my way there I was surprised at all much better it felt, but didn’t want to get my hopes up.
To my surprise there was no loss of power and everything was back to normal!
I must of got bad gas at the gas station with either gunk, water, or low octane. I headed to the store to pick up some Irish Whiskey to thank my co worker for his suggestion.
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