[Euro] Surging at low acceleration pedal

[OldnGrey]

Hi,
My 2004 Euro manual is approaching the 20K service. I was interested to read here about the creaking clutch pedal so that certainly gets reported. Thanks.

However, the other issue I have that spoils an otherwise excellent car is some surging at very low accelerator pedal pressure. I've seen it mentioned here once and in one review on the internet. It's hard to explain or do a google search on it because it's not something easy to describe.

At no accelerator pedal pressure it's smooth. At moderate to high acceleration it's fine. It's just that first tiny amount of throttle opening when the car starts surging sometimes badly. Noticeable in all gears but obviously would be worse in 1st gear. Turning off aircon and VSD have no effect. This has nothing to do with clutch or gearchanges as it's even noticeable on cruise control when going down a slight hill. Get the right slope and it starts surging.

I took it to my local Honda dealer who witnessed the problem (only when warmed up). They said they would do some research. After some time my wife rang to book another Honda in for a service and asked about my problem. They said they had since confirmed it in other manual Euros.

OK. So it appears from reading these forums that they might all do it. To what extent I don't know but my Honda dealer has said they can do nothing.

Here's the appeal - is there anyone who has got this fixed or made some mod that smooths out the problem? Is there a mechanic somewhere who has more knowledge and skill than my local dealer?

Would be interested in the responses. I have been getting progressively more annoyed with the issue and can't seem to drive it in stop-start freeway traffic at all peacefully.

[SSML]

from my knowledge, Euro is "Drive by wire" i.e. the depth of gas input is sensed by the computer (rather than thru a cable),then send message to fuel injector?.
So would your problem got something to do with the computer program?

[yfin]

This is how it was explained to me by my dad (a retired old school motor mechanic). "New model cars can use little or no fuel (yes he did say no fuel) with zero throttle. When you apply the accelerator the injectors start working again".

That is why you can get the slight jerk when a small amount of throttle is applied. It helps fuel efficiency to cut out fuel where there is no throttle. Don't worry about it - if you apply more throttle it is less noticeable.

[euro1978]

My understanding is that its a feature not a fault.

A rather annoying feature sometimes I must add. (Mine does it as well)

[OldnGrey]

I wonder if there are any tuners who can do anything with the ECU? I doubt it.

It's probably not like with the WRX where I was able to get a new tune map after doing some data logging to a laptop.

I fear I am stuck with this and I suppose it's fair reward for me only test driving an automatic which didn't show this problem. 2 more years of this and I know I will be taking my Odyssey to work for a relaxing trip.

If I buy another Honda it will be after a lot of suspicion. This was my 6th Accord and this is the first time I have ever had a problem.

[yfin]

I am quite happy if people do not buy the Euro based on this thread. The less Euros on the road the better! At least I know I have a great car.

To suggest this is such a major issue that you should look at other cars really surprises me. There are so many other things I would like to improve on the Euro before this (wish list of improvements - mp3 connection! etc). This just doesn't rate.

If it really bothers you why not apply the throttle very slowly? I tried it this evening sitting at a constant 100kph. If you apply and HOLD a fraction of the throttle (just touching) for a few moments - then apply the throttle you want (eg 50%) - it will not jerk.

[OldnGrey]

yfin: I can only suggest that perhaps it's not a consistent problem across all cars.
In freeway traffic snarls it's quite violent in mine.

[yfin]

yfin: I can only suggest that perhaps it's not a consistent problem across all cars.
In freeway traffic snarls it's quite violent in mine.

I know exactly what you mean and I think it is the same in all Euros.

I lived with it for well over 12 months before someone complained about it on this forum. I had not noticed it until then (perhaps because I am rarely at light throttle). I think it is most noticeable when cruising in 6th and you only want to accelerate by a few k/ph.

Seriously though - practice different throttle applications. The way I tried it this evening appeared to work. Very slight application - say 1% for a few moments and then apply more throttle.

[aaronng]

I only get the jerkyness in 1st at the point where the injectors just turn on. Now I keep it at about 2000rpm in 1st to avoid the jerkyness, or just shift to 2nd or 3rd for low speed cruising, so this is not really a problem for me.

[euro1978]

I am quite happy if people do not buy the Euro based on this thread. The less Euros on the road the better! At least I know I have a great car.

I know exactly what you mean. I bought mine in June/July 2003 when they first came out and it was nice to have something unique but now there are so many on the road.

Damn all you followers.

[ant234]

i'm not too sure whats the problem... since I haven't experienced it myself... maybe my foot is a little too 'heavy'

[yfin]

i'm not too sure whats the problem... since I haven't experienced it myself... maybe my foot is a little too 'heavy'

It is there - and if you haven't noticed it don't worry about it! As soon as you start looking for it - you will find it and it might bug you like OldnGrey and some other people.

OldnGrey - I tried that method I was talking about cruising on the freeway to work today. Give it a try and let us know if it works for you. You can effectively limit any jerk by the way you apply the throttle. I have noticed if you apply 10% throttle instantly you will definately notice a little jerk -- apply much less throttle (just touching) and then progressively add power and no jerk at all.