Jerking or juddering when accelerating in the Dodge Nitro: causes

Depending on the cause, repair at an independent garage ranges from €150^[1][2] (EGR valve and intake clogged with soot) to €1,400^[1][2] (wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump), including VAT. Before replacing parts, get a diagnosis: with a warning light on, the fault code usually points to the cause.

Most serious fault among the possible causes: Medium severity

• Dirty, worn or faulty injectors^[4][5][6]Common
• Worn spark plugs, ignition coils or glow plugs^[5][7][8][9]Common
• Fuel supply: fuel filter, pump or poor-quality fuel^[4][5][7][8]Common
• Air flow meter, air filter or throttle valve^{[4][5][8][10]}Possible
• Blocked EGR valve, catalytic converter or particulate filter^[5][7][8]Possible
• Faulty turbo^[4]Possible

What to check first

1. Note when it happens: only when cold, at constant speed, on a climb or under load, at low revs or just as you release the clutch. Autonoción and RMotion use precisely that moment to narrow down the cause.^[8][11]
2. Rule out the simple things: if it started shortly after refuelling, suspect the fuel, and if you are in a gear that is too high for the speed, change down to see whether it goes away.^[5][11]
3. See whether the engine warning light is on: according to Autonoción, a check engine light together with jerking more likely points to an ignition coil or a sensor.^[8]
4. Ask for a code read-out with a diagnostic scanner before replacing parts: RMotion warns that parts should not be replaced on symptoms alone, because the same symptoms come from different faults.^[9][11]