Engine shake while in 3rd/4th gear

froshman

New member
Joined
Aug 21, 2019
Location
Ontario
TDI
2011 VW Jetta
Got a weird issue that started recently.
2011 Jetta TDI - Emissions update was done by VW
237,000KM
Manual Transmission, regular service is done on the car.
my scanner tool shows no codes. no engine light has ever come on.

Problem:
while driving in 3rd or 4th gear, if i slowly back off the pedal the engine rpms start going down and back up and starts causing the engine to shake.. sometimes violently. if i press slightly again the problem goes away, same if I release the pedal fully.

I have only noticed this in 3/4 gear. I have also done a test when the engine is shaking to engage the cruise control, and the behavior persists with cruise on.
RPM is usually around 1700 - 2000 when this occurs.

Anyone else out there have this same problem with their TDI, if so any recommended fixes or things to check?

I have asked the dealer but they found no fault.
 

brneylan

New member
Joined
Sep 3, 2020
Location
Madison, WI
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagen
Hi Froshman, did you ever figure out your problem with the chugging in 3rd/4th? I have a 2014 MT and mine does the same. Talked to friend today who also has a MT 2014 and his does it too? Dealer did not seem to know, but they did change the intercooler to a cold weather kit. This did not help.
 

marko320

New member
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Location
Naperville, IL
TDI
2012 Jetta TDI
I just replied to a similar thread 10 minutes ago: I had the same problem. Light throttle. Gear 3 or 4 at 1800RPM. After 3 dealer visits I got a new throttle body. The problem went away and returned with a vengeance. It's going to the dealer next week. Stay tuned for a follow up.
 

brneylan

New member
Joined
Sep 3, 2020
Location
Madison, WI
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagen
Look forward to hearing what you find out. Is the dealer doing the work under warranty? Spoke with a VW shop in Madison, WI that specializes in TDI's and they mentioned this is super common with the reprogrammed TDI's and recommended the Kerma tune. I have yet to do this, but they stated more power and better fuel economy . . . sounds nice.
 

marko320

New member
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Location
Naperville, IL
TDI
2012 Jetta TDI
Yes to CPO. My buddy was a VW service manager. His personal MK6 TDI had the same problem pre detuning, so we had to rule out software in the name of science. Tuning was also suggested to me a few times, but I am worried about exaggerating the problem instead of correcting it. I hope to follow up soon on resolving the issue, especially this is my 4th dealer visit. I was planning on tuning and suspension mods, but now I am strongly considering selling it.
 

KERMA

Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Sep 23, 2001
Location
here
TDI
99 beetle and 04 jetta
tune by kermatdi will fix this light throttle shudder problem.
can't speak for other tunes, though.
 
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