My '02 is surging at idle (and at higher rpm's I think). A friend called it "hunting". Anyone have any experience with this? Other than this, the truck runs perfect and I hate to take it to the dealer if it is something simple. Also, can this condition harm the transmission?

Try some additive, if it smooths out, the fuel pressure regulator could be at fault.
There may be a reflash too that could help. I just live with it. My 01 surges
like crazy at times. Put in some power service additive, and it goes away.
(at least on my rig)

What brand/type of additive are you using?

Power Service (you can get it a Wallys) The Silver Bottle.
Diesel Kleen

2loud, thank you for your suggestion. I don't have a Wally's down here, but I will look for the product. I'm thinking it is the fuel pressure regulator.

Anyone else have any experience with this? This thread doesn't seem to be getting much traffic, I must have a boring problem.

Freeport,

Does you Max seem to be louder ? Have the dreaded Rattle (like a big cam) or lifter or something? just wondering.....
My surge is back and is getting worse to where I can see the needle move when it's hot, it's going into the shop today, well first engine related service after 179000 aint too bad I suppose!

I agree with 2loud. I have the same issues and Power Service cleans it up for the most part. Wal Mart also carries it. 11.00 for a gallon. Great price

I have been told that the dealers won't change the FPR unless the surge is pretty bad.
My dealer checked my 01 out and said the surge is not bad enough. I run additive most of the time anyway, so no big deal. With additive, it only surges a bit during warm up,
when it is really cold. I have avoided any updates to the software because I choose
to live with what I have. It runs great, and why take a chance that the new program
might cause some other problem????

2loud
if you run it on the freeway at speed for 20 minutes and then to the dealer don't shut it off and go in get the service writer then come out put it in gear and hold the brake if it's like mine they'd change it......... if you know its a problem then run 4 tanks threw it without the additive and then take it in when it makes the motor so rough your antenna looks like a pissed cats tail and let them fix it under warranty.....wish I had instead of putting the additive band aid on it for 100K .... now I don't know if it will be covered under the 200K warranty or not....... I really doubt it!
It's gotten bad lately diesel additive won't touch it, I used to throw in some injector cleaner and it would help but it comes back and now it's bad enough after I get off the freeway and it's hot to have to use major brakeage or it will surge itself through a stop light, in the past month it's gotten to where when I exit the freeway I instinctively reach down and hold the trailer brakes with my thumb until I can go again from the light or stop sign (which ever it is) anyway the diesel clean helps but doesn't fix it.... kinda like throwing tylenol at a migrane headach great but soon as it wears off bamm the migranes back........

my .02

Thank you all for your input. I am going to Wal-Mart to look for the additive. Hoping that solves the problem and will post results. My local dealer is an hour away and has a two-week backlog for diesel appointments, so I wasn't looking forward to taking it in. I guess nobody thinks the surging could hurt the transmission, because I feel like my shifting is a little "off" every now and then. I probably just need to change the tranny fluid.

OK, after reading wile's report, I'm making a dealer appointment.