There is a plug (blue) under the dash on the passenger side near the door, its male with two wires. Just stick a paper clip in there and see if the CEL blinks.
Do you have vtec-e? If so, maybe it has something to do with vtec engaging or disengaging?
Just to be clear, when you say surge on and off, do you mean like you are pressing the gas and letting off or like the engine cuts out (as it would if you were out of gas or at the max speed) and then kicks back in?
__________________
|