Throttle hesitation at take off...

[Sonnie]

I don't know exactly what you call it... but when I first press the gas pedal to start moving... there is a hesitation. I can't seem to get it right, but it's not a smooth take off like it was in my 2017 or my 2019. It doesn't feel right. The eTorque is already jumpy when I let off the brake, but this is really after I start rolling and start to give it gas. Is there a throttle memory? This truck had 2,000 miles on it when I got it, so I wonder if it has memory from the previous driver and needs to be reset, or if it's just a problem with my truck, or common for the eTorque.

 

[TruckDriver]

many threads on this - I have an eTorque as well and I know exactly what you mean; I did a battery pull and had the dealer update the transmission firmware also and it's MUCH better, but still exists... over time I've become accustomed to managing the delay, but many folks look at getting a sprint booster / pedal commander or similar to take up the drive-by-wire slack

 

[Sonnie]

Sounds just like an issue I had with a BMW 528i back in 2010.

 

[RamCares]

I don't know exactly what you call it... but when I first press the gas pedal to start moving... there is a hesitation. I can't seem to get it right, but it's not a smooth take off like it was in my 2017 or my 2019. It doesn't feel right. The eTorque is already jumpy when I let off the brake, but this is really after I start rolling and start to give it gas. Is there a throttle memory? This truck had 2,000 miles on it when I got it, so I wonder if it has memory from the previous driver and needs to be reset, or if it's just a problem with my truck, or common for the eTorque.

Hi @Sonnie - If you are not able to determine a solution based on suggestions from fellow forum members and you decide to address this with your Ram dealer, please do not hesitate to follow up with us via private message. We would be more than happy to get you set up with a specialist for an additional layer of support for the dealer process!

Mark
RamCares

 

[Sonnie]

I researched it a little more and found suggestions of disconnecting the negative battery cable. That seems to have fixed it... but not without some short-lived quirks. I lost my sat radio, my Auto AC blew hot air, and I could not adjust the AC temps with the buttons. After getting to the shop and letting it sit for an hour, I got in it to head to the dealership for a flash, and everything was back working. Whew!

 

[392DCGC]

I've noticed the hesitation on all 4 eTorque trucks I've driven (2019 and 2020). Can't remember if the non-eTorque has the same hesitation or not. Throttle controllers (Pedal Commander, Vitesse, etc.) will not do anything to allevaite it either, regardless of what many people on this forum like to believe. Maybe a Pulsar can since it integrates around the PCM, but a throttle controller does nothing except change how much input the pedal sends when pressed.

 

[Sonnie]

I'll keep checking, but unless I'm having a super duper dreamy placebo effect, the negative battery disconnect seems to have fixed it, although it may be short lived.

 

[PowerJrod]

I'll keep checking, but unless I'm having a super duper dreamy placebo effect, the negative battery disconnect seems to have fixed it, although it may be short lived.

Careful with the battery terminal disconnect thing. I don't know if it's true or not but I've been told by a VW tech that only disconnecting the negative battery terminal in a modern vehicle can screw up portions of the computers, memory, etc. That's while leaving the positive cable on. Just thought I should throw that out there...

 

[Sonnie]

Yeah... things did get whacky for a while, but finally starting back working correctly.

 

[PowerJrod]

Yeah... things did get whacky for a while, but finally starting back working correctly.

At least they corrected themselves. We have a guy at work that had computer reset on his Audi S4....was never the same after. Like complicated surgery lol.

 

[392DCGC]

Careful with the battery terminal disconnect thing. I don't know if it's true or not but I've been told by a VW tech that only disconnecting the negative battery terminal in a modern vehicle can screw up portions of the computers, memory, etc. That's while leaving the positive cable on. Just thought I should throw that out there...

If that’s the case how would one replace the battery when the time comes? It’s perfectly acceptable to pull the battery cable to reset things on FCA vehicles anyway. Though it may take a bit of time/ignition cycles for the computers to all talk to each other and return to normal.

 

[Sonnie]

Mine was goofy all the way to work... about a 25 minute commute. After getting to work I thought to myself I'd give it an hour and check it, if it wasn't back to normal, I would run it over to the dealership. Went to check it an hour later and it was all fine. Drove to a restaurant to eat, then drove home... all seems to be fine now.

 

[popcenator]

I can tell you that the effect won't last. I've been down this road and even had the latest TSB update applied. It shifted great for a few days but now it's clunky again, with the hesitation from a stop.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Sonnie]

Does turning off the eTorque help? I haven't thought about trying that, but then remembering to turn it off every time I get in the vehicle... probably ain't gonna happen. I'll probably try it anyway. I am beginning to get really annoyed with the jump start when taking my foot off the brake. RAM reps advertise it as smooth and unnoticeable... and they are flat out being dishonest, unless my truck has a defect with the eTorque system. Mine also shutters from time to time on restart. No doubt I know when it happens. I don't know that I'm stopped enough to warrant the nuisance it creates for what might end up being .5 mpg more distance. I hope they eventually come up with a permanent off switch.

 

[PowerJrod]

If that’s the case how would one replace the battery when the time comes? It’s perfectly acceptable to pull the battery cable to reset things on FCA vehicles anyway. Though it may take a bit of time/ignition cycles for the computers to all talk to each other and return to normal.

***Sigh, SMH*** please re-read my comment. If the Negative is disconnected while positive is still connected for more than a few seconds...or a minute, something like that from what I was told. It's if you leave it disconnected for a certain amount of time.

 

[Smerberj]

I've never had an issue with my eTorque, my truck seems really "jumpy" but it's been that way since I've installed my oversized throttle body and high flow air filter. And yes, if you disconnect the battery in these trucks they literally forget a ton of the features they have, I've done it twice and both times all of my features returned within an hour or two. I have been hearing so many issues concerning the Hemi with eTorque and it makes me glad that I went with the Pentastar.

 

[Trooper4]

I've noticed the hesitation on all 4 eTorque trucks I've driven (2019 and 2020). Can't remember if the non-eTorque has the same hesitation or not. Throttle controllers (Pedal Commander, Vitesse, etc.) will not do anything to allevaite it either, regardless of what many people on this forum like to believe. Maybe a Pulsar can since it integrates around the PCM, but a throttle controller does nothing except change how much input the pedal sends when pressed.

Put a Pulsar in mine and it cured the hesitation. On start/stop as soon as I take my foot off of the brake it fires up and starts to roll, but no jumpiness at all.

 

[Trooper4]

Does turning off the eTorque help? I haven't thought about trying that, but then remembering to turn it off every time I get in the vehicle... probably ain't gonna happen. I'll probably try it anyway. I am beginning to get really annoyed with the jump start when taking my foot off the brake. RAM reps advertise it as smooth and unnoticeable... and they are flat out being dishonest, unless my truck has a defect with the eTorque system. Mine also shutters from time to time on restart. No doubt I know when it happens. I don't know that I'm stopped enough to warrant the nuisance it creates for what might end up being .5 mpg more distance. I hope they eventually come up with a permanent off switch.

Don't think you can turn off the E-Torque, but you can turn off the start/stop feature.

 

[Sonnie]

Don't think you can turn off the E-Torque, but you can turn off the start/stop feature.

Permanently? I know there's a button for it, but I have to press it every time after I start the vehicle. If I could turn it off permanently, that would be nice. I don't have an issue with any other features of the eTorque.

 

[SpeedyV]

Permanently? I know there's a button for it, but I have to press it every time after I start the vehicle. If I could turn it off permanently, that would be nice. I don't have an issue with any other features of the eTorque.

I think @Trooper4 was pointing out that this is just the start/stop function...you can’t “turn off eTorque”. Your vehicle does need some electrical generation to stay running very long