Intermittent surging at idle with all lights dimming at the low end rpms.

489 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by statera, 3 d ago

Grimshade

Discussion Starter · 13 d ago

Hey everyone,

After weeks of trying to solve this problem with my 2013 juke I thought I would give this a shot and see if a anyone has had this issue.

I recently swapped a alternator because the bearing was going out and squealing. But just after I installed, I started getting a weird surging phenomenon where my headlights and all interior lights dim and the rpms go up and down approx 100 rpm variation.

Tested the alternator it tests good and tested the battery with no issues.

The MAF sensor and MAP sensors have been changed.

The throttle body has been cleaned.

Took it to a dealership for diagnostic and they claim it's a clogged catalytic converter.... and the o2 sensors tested good.

I have no codes... my engine doesn't feel sluggish either. Ran a obd check on the o2 sensors to see any signs of clogged cat but it looks like it has good flow...

Any ideas would be great! I don't wanna drop 1k on a cat if it's good... I dont see how a clogged cat would cause intermittent power issues.

Save

1 - 9 of 9 Posts

Ausjuk33

· #2 · 13 d ago

Was it a specific juke alternator, if not that is the problem. Juke alternator is the only one u can use, beside FR's alternator swap deal.
Check that first as it talks to the computers n will cause all sort of issues if not vehicle specific. Hope that helps 👍

Save

Reactions: 1

FastReligion

· #3 · 13 d ago

Grimshade said:
The throttle body has been cleaned.

This right here is a red flag. As mentioned in a post from a few days ago, there is a very specific way to clean these throttles. if it was not done properly it could be damaged and cause all sorts of issues.

Save

gabriel.dominguez4

· #4 · 9 d ago

FastReligion said:
This right here is a red flag. As mentioned in a post from a few days ago, there is a very specific way to clean these throttles. if it was not done properly it could be damaged and cause all sorts of issues.

Hello FastReligion (big Fan of all your content on YouTube - Thank you for making all those videos)

Could you please share the "how to" on that very specific way to clean these throttles?

again thank you for your content contributions

Save

FastReligion

· #5 · 8 d ago

The best way to do it is don't do it. Unless there's a throttle related issue, just don't touch it.

If you insist on cleaning it;

Use something like brake cleaner, spray it on a link-less rag or paper towel, and wipe the sides of the throttle. If you have someone with you that you trust, plug the throttle in, have someone turn the ignition on (DONT START THE CAR), put the car in gear to activate the throttle, have them hold the throttle wide open, and wipe the walls, avoiding touching the blade itself. Do it quickly, some of the older CVT models have a auto-shut off for the throttle if it doesn't crank after a certain amount of time.

Save

Grimshade

Discussion Starter · #6 · 6 d ago

Ausjuk33 said:
Was it a specific juke alternator, if not that is the problem. Juke alternator is the only one u can use, beside FR's alternator swap deal.
Check that first as it talks to the computers n will cause all sort of issues if not vehicle specific. Hope that helps 👍

It was a aftermarket alternator... thing is I have changed it out for the same brand before and never had issues so I am hesitant to believe it.

Save

Grimshade

Discussion Starter · #7 · 6 d ago

FastReligion said:
This right here is a red flag. As mentioned in a post from a few days ago, there is a very specific way to clean these throttles. if it was not done properly it could be damaged and cause all sorts of issues.

Hey FastReligion,

I had only barely wiped the throttle body and this was after I started having issues. I find it odd that this only happened after the alternator was replaced... I am not getting any codes so i find it hard to believe it is a ignition issue....

I also feel like it shouldn't be a grounding/electrical issue because It occures intermittently... probably one out of every 5 stops...

Save

Bargeld

· #8 · 6 d ago

Search the forum for alternator problems. The simple rule for 99.9% of cases is that you need to use OEM.

Save

Reactions: 1

statera

· #9 · 3 d ago

Bargeld said:
Search the forum for alternator problems. The simple rule for 99.9% of cases is that you need to use OEM.

that literally just happened to me. bad alternator was causing all kinds of weird issues.

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 9 of 9 Posts

Top Contributors this Month