Q: Engine surging and speedometer dropping?

asked by on November 24, 2016

I have a 2.7l 2007 Dodge Charger. Every now and then while driving at highway speeds the engine will surge for a split second, and the speedo will drop about 30mph at the same time. After about half a second it's back to normal

My car has 100 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement $188.36 - $786.53 Get a Quote

This is somewhat common when your mass air flow sensor is dirty or faulty. The mass air flow sensor is a unit in the intake system that monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. When this is dirty or faulty, this causes an imbalanced air/fuel load to be supplied to the motor which results in an over fueling or under fueling situation depending on the conditions. This type of inconsistent fuel supply to the motor may cause a hesitation, loss of power, a jerking reaction, potentially a bot of black exhaust smoke and typically a strong smell of fuel when this sensor is malfunctioning. When this is not working properly, you may also notice a strong smell of fuel. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose your mass air flow sensor.

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

Check Engine light; catalytic converters failing
Hi there. It sounds like you have a few issues going on here. If the catalytic converters are failing, then the converters will need to be replaced (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/catalytic-converter-replacement). They tend to either fail and become clogged causing a loss of...
Battery keeps dying on my car
You have what is called a parasitic draw. The vehicle has a shutdown protocol it goes through to power all of the computer and accessories off. Something in the vehicle is failing to shutdown, which means they need to pull...
Fuel gauge always reads Full tank
Hello. There is a fuel level gauge on the fuel pump and it reads the amount of gas that is in the fuel tank. It sounds like this gauge has broken on your fuel pump. The gauge cannot be repaired...
Installing cold air intake - 2007 Jaguar XK
K&N is a reputable manufacturer of this component (and there are others). Call or email them for specific part numbers for your vehicle.
Is it safe to drive with overdrive on or overdrive off?
Hi, thanks for your question. This is usually dependent on your driving conditions and habits (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-the-overdrive-light-on). Overdrive is an extra higher gear in your transmission designed to increase fuel economy and drivability in freeway or long steady drive conditions. This...
Window wiring harness broke
Hi there. I'm assuming the connector on the wire harness is broken and now one of the wires has broken. One of the things you could do is locate another matching truck in a junkyard or being parted out and...
I've changed valve seals and all gaskets I'm getting gray smoke from tailpipe in 2000 Silverado
Gray smoke suggests burning oil but you can use a scan tool to look at fuel trims and see if perhaps rich operation is contributing to the problem as well. With regard to replacing the seals, if the valve guides...

Related articles

What Happens to Sensors if They are Dirty?
Car sensors can get dirty with normal use. Symptoms of dirty sensors include reduced engine power, worse gas mileage, or an engine that hesitates.
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria
This This enduring Ford classic enjoyed a nearly two-decade run before being discontinued from the retail market with the 2007 model-year being the last. Ever-popular with law enforcement (for whom models continued in production through 2011), and senior citizens, the...
How to Replace an Ambient Temperature Sensor
The ambient temperature sensor monitors the car's temperature inside and out. This sensor allows the AC to maintain comfortable cabin temperatures.