Maserati Ghibli Forum banner

Pulsing Acceleration

27K views 37 replies 23 participants last post by  Luis46cc  
#1 ·
Hey folks,

I have been having a problem with my 2017 Ghibli for the past couple of weeks. When I am accelerating quickly the throttle feels as though I putting my foot up and down on the accelerator even though I am accelerating smoothly (foot down the whole time). Not sure what the problem could be, it only does it when I am sport driving.

Any ideas what the issue could be?
 
#3 ·
I have a 17 SQ4 and have not noticed your issue, however, when I drove a 17 base model while waiting for my Ghibli to come in I felt the exact thing. I asked the dealer about it and he told me sometimes the base engines have a stuttering affect when excellerating while the AC is running.
Don’t know if you have a base engine or not.
 
#11 ·
I personnaly do start it in sport mode all the time, for the beauty of the sound :) (though I don't push revs up untill the engine is warm, of course). Back to the topic, I never noticed pulsating acceleration on my MY2018, in any sort of wheather conditions (from below 0°C in winter time up to 40+ °C in summer time).
 
#12 ·
Definitely have the pulsing on MY17 SQ4. I start mine in sport mode for the noise! Don’t push revs until we’re all warmed up.

That said you can feel this even when your foot isn’t on the gas. I was pulling out of my driveway and going less than 10mph and as I pulled up to the stop sign I had my foot lightly on the brake and could feel the engine pulsing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#15 ·
My old Q4 did it my new SQ4 does it the levante SQ4 of my wife does it ... it happen only when you drive very slow it is not a big thing, many drivers don't even notice it.
When I start if I want weak up half of the village I start on sports mode then when I go to the main street I either stay in sports mode or normal or ICE .. You fell less on ICE .. engine must be cold and after 3 or 4 minutes you don't fell it anymore
For testing it is very easy start the car engine cold then drive even in normal mode slowly, release the foot from the accelerator and then just touch it to gain speed slowly you fell a pulse .. in my village to cross it there is some narrow curves where you need to go slowly and going a bit up like a small hill you fell it and it us absolutely normal.

But some drivers don't notice it
 
#16 ·
Glad to see this post albeit I’m late to the party - I’m in an SQ4 and had this hesitation when accelerating for a while but it’s hard to repeat when your taking a mechanic out to prove your point! .... mine is VERY noticeable, it’s not a cold engine problem I do notice it more going up hills but it’s literally like I am pushing the throttle up and down and unless I slam my foot down through it the problem will continue. No warning lights, cars been scanned multiple times. One answer that a dealer has told me is my wheels. I have 22” KOKO’s super wide 305 on the back 25 profile. I’ve never had this reaction when changing wheels and tires on any car so I’ve ignored them but I can’t seem to find any other answers!!!
 
#19 ·
Reviving an old thread here; I'm having the same issue with the engine surging/acceleration surge. Does it both when the car is cold or warm. No stored codes, no errors, it's just really odd and I can't determine what it could be.

Has anyone been able to resolve theirs?
 
#20 ·
Reviving an old thread here; I'm having the same issue with the engine surging/acceleration surge. Does it both when the car is cold or warm. No stored codes, no errors, it's just really odd and I can't determine what it could be.

Has anyone been able to resolve theirs?
I don't know there ever was a real solution to this surge.
For me, I only notice when backing out of my garage and winding out of the driveway when engine is cold. It's subtle, but know it's there and also become used to it. I occasionally notice at first stop sign leaving house, but after car warms up it's not noticeable. It's almost like the ECU program instructions are fighting with the engine/drivetrain mechanicals under certain driving conditions.
Related, but not surging, the transmission ECU has a learning mode, sometimes if the car has rough shifts, especially the low gear downshifts, dealer resets and transmission re-learns which smoothes out the shift pattern in most cases.
My 5.6L SUV has a similar occurrence going into steep windy hills if you let up on the gas it will "hesitate - surge" until it self corrects. Dealer inferred AC compressor load on engine that is not fully warmed up which I was really skeptical on a huge V8 with only one passenger ... but again it's an occasional occurrence under certain conditions.

If yours is happening after fully warmed up and frequently, might want to check-in with service
 
#25 ·
I can see what you describe around the 13 second mark. That's different than the pulsing that I was referencing since you're at steady conditions. Maybe one of the mechanics, like sc00bk, will chime in when they next check into the forum.
 
  • Like
Reactions: localbrew
#27 ·
I noticed that my Q4 does something similar but only if I'm giving it half throttle or so. When I floor it it doesn't do it.
I also noticed this on my Range Rover Sport that is supercharged.
I figured it was any vehicle that is turbo or supercharged.
If it does it at full throttle then you should have it looked at.
 
#38 ·
Hi everyone, I have the same issue here, just like the video posted. I already change the solenoid, the coils, the sparcs, air filter and only run with 98 octane fuel. My car is sq4 with 40000 miles and I already have headaches with this issues that I can’t find solution. Can you tell me more about that issue with the valves for me to check? I’m thinking about to check wastegate because I read that these cars normally gain some issues in the turbos wastegate. If you can tell I really thank you
 
#33 ·
Thanks for this info Karl Kaas. My 2017 Ghibli S has had this issue since I bought it 6 months ago. It has 75k miles on it. On moderate to hard acceleration it was horrible, even passengers noticed it. I didn't want to believe this was normal because it's just not pleasant to drive.
I replaced the part you showed above, it cost me ÂŁ50 delivered from scuderiaparts. Worked straight off! The car has NO surging/pulsing issues any more, and drives how i'd expect the car to drive.
It really is like a new car. I'm so happy.
Thanks for the info.
 
#36 ·
I'll have to give it a try. I had ordered the part but never had installed. I guess the theory is If the magnetic valve moves too slowly (a delay) it leaves the waste gate open longer going from full open on idle to fully closed leaking boost thus limiting power.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bombbreath