Q: Truck seems to hop at certain rpm

asked by on August 29, 2016

My truck starts no prob sometimes it runs rough and seems like it will stall but it doesn't and then let's say accelerating on the highway from approx 50-60 mph the truck hops basically stutters and shakes till i accelerate strongly snd get the rpm s above 1.5 then it cruises fine ... It's almost like the drive train gives a direct example of what the engine is doing please help no code shows up from local mechanic and it doesn't always do this.

My car has 73000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your vehicle is experiencing performance issues, perhaps misfires under heavy loads. If the engine is misfiring under heavy load it will most definitely be felt through the transmission and chassis. This can be caused for many reasons.

A few common causes are a weak fuel pump, a faulty mass airflow sensor, or faulty ignition components. I would recommend checking the fuel pressure and going from there. If no codes are present, I would recommend having a professional technician drive the vehicle to replicate the symptoms and diagnose the jerking issue.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What does the Supplemental Air Bag Warning Light mean?
The supplemental restraint system (SRS) on your Altima is pretty advanced, and is able to detect problems when they occur. If something happens that may disable all or part of the air bag system, a warning light is turned on...
Growling noise from car. Could be the AC compressor, alternator, or power steering.
All of the possible causes mentioned could be the issue. All of these parts have pulleys that are ran off of the serpentine belt. Most of the pulleys have bearings inside them that allow them to spin freely. If a...
Antitheft feature shut down
There are a few things you might attempt to see if the system recognizes the keys again and resets itself. You can try to lock and unlock the drivers door using the key. This will sometimes reset the system by...
Water under passenger seat and mildew problem
If the A/C evaporator drain is clogged or partly clogged, then the water condensation from the normal A/C operation cannot drain out of the evaporator case and has to go somewhere. The place it usually goes is out of is...
How can I check if water pump is working
Make sure coolant is full (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/top-off-coolant). Start the car when engine is cold and let the engine idle. As the engine gets to operating temperature within 3 to 5 minutes, feeling the top radiator hose will start off cold and...
Like rumble noise on pulley system side
I would recommend checking all of the idler pulleys to be sure the bearings are freely spinning on them as these can sometimes wear badly when they are subjected to dirt and debris or severe weather conditions.
Transmission
The electronic controls in modern cars have a "warm up program" for emissions purposes. By holding the engine revs a bit higher and longer when the engine is cold, it will warm up faster, therefore pollute less. If you are...
My service air bag system light is on is this dangerous
Hello, thank you for writing in. The airbag light can illuminate for several reasons. Some of them are more serious than others, but it still is not something to take too lightly. Chrysler is infamous for electrical issues, and that...
vibration in steering wheel when break
Hello, thank you for writing in. The steering, suspension, and brakes are all closely related. The first place you often feel issues is in the steering wheel (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/steering-wheel-vibrates-or-shakes-inspection). The best option is to give all three systems a full inspection....

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford F-450
The The 2012 Ford F-450 is a serious truck with major towing and hauling capacity. What it lacks in gas mileage, it more than makes up for in durability, suspension, power, and torque. Plus, with a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission,...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Mass Airflow Sensor
Common signs of problems with a mass airflow sensor include running rich at idle or lean under load, decrease in fuel efficiency, and rough idles.
How Long Does a Mass Airflow Sensor Last?
The The right amount of air and fuel in your engine is a vital component in keeping the engine running as it should. Making sure that all of the vital components of the air and fuel system are running at...