Transmission? Help!

[cerberusiam]

These transmissions are at and beyond their limit with STOCK power. Adding ANY power enhancer or changing the TQ management will find the weak points, usually quickly.

 

[Rattler]

My trans has acted up for the last two days. It does not want to go to sixth gear. After it finally does, everything acts normal. This truck is 100% stock, and I have not towed more than 7K with it. Any ideas? I have been running exhaust break on and tow-haul off lately. I am going back to tow-haul to see if that makes a diffeence.

 

[Bob4x4]

I don't think you guys that are running mild programmers on the 6. 7 realize how much torque you are putting down. Even when you think you are driving easy

 

[Rattler]

But mine is completely stock.

 

[SidneyW]

I would almost be willing to bet this problem would have still occurred if I had never done the deletes. I knew I was gonna hear some blame about this. However,this truck is not abused in any way. I literally baby this thing and never tow anything. I am convinced this is a manufacture defect.

 

[cerberusiam]

But mine is completely stock.

Doesn't matter. Even in stock form the trans is not up to the TQ the engine can produce. The TQ management is far from perfect in all conditions. You can break these transmisisons with stock power.

I would almost be willing to bet this problem would have still occurred if I had never done the deletes.

The deletes are not the problem, the Smarty is. Even on the economy mode the TQ management has been reduced and that is the trans killer. You can drive easy all you like but the TQ is there and it will eventually cause issues.


Again, these transmissions are BORDERLINE over powered with stock power. Adding ANY mods to power will increase the chances of breakage, dramtically. Driving it hard stock is going to stress it also. The planned obsolesence from the factory makes it a given.

 

[SidneyW]

Doesn't matter. Even in stock form the trans is not up to the TQ the engine can produce. The TQ management is far from perfect in all conditions. You can break these transmisisons with stock power.



The deletes are not the problem, the Smarty is. Even on the economy mode the TQ management has been reduced and that is the trans killer. You can drive easy all you like but the TQ is there and it will eventually cause issues.


Again, these transmissions are BORDERLINE over powered with stock power. Adding ANY mods to power will increase the chances of breakage, dramtically. Driving it hard stock is going to stress it also. The planned obsolesence from the factory makes it a given.

I totally understand what you are saying, but I don't think the smarty had anything to do with this particular failure. When I did the service 3500 miles ago, there was no indication of any sort of a problem. The pan was very clean. I think something failed internally and caused this. Not disputing you at all. Everything was perfect one moment and devastation the next moment. Wouldn't I have got a little warning if the power adder was the source? I am just speculating.

 

[cerberusiam]

Wouldn't I have got a little warning if the power adder was the source?

One would wish! It NEVER happens that way with me. :-laf I go out in the morning to take a nice drive and spend the day pulling a transmission.

I think you would be greatly surprised at just how much the TQ is bumped up with even a tuner on Economy. Given the 6. 7 is a monster for TQ anyway, the Smarty removes some of the management for driveability even on economy and it is well past what the manufacturer intended. Been there, done that, got pictures and billet parts for proof.

More than likely shutting the truck off an removing the pressure is what broke it. These things will run great broke and when you shut them off it all falls out of alignment. Defies all logic but thats the way it happens.

 

[SidneyW]

You are right. Wishful thinking! I have to make a decision on which route to take to get my truck rolling again. Buy a built 68 or rebuild mine? Suggestions?

 

[sag2]

The P0868 is low line pressure, the P0944 is loss of prime (isn't building pressure), the P0731 is gear ratio error in first (slipping in first gear), and the P0841 is low reverse pressure switch rationality.
The first question is, were there black deposits in the pan that looked like coffee grounds? If yes, torque converter clutch is gone. Have the shop remove the spin on filter and put it opening down on a clean white piece of paper or CLEAN shop rag. If no (use common sense when you evaluate the statement "no") debris comes out of the filter, the converter and pump should be fine. The spin on is in the return circuit from the cooler, and any converter debris gets filtered here.
The most important code is the P0841, and is most likely the cause of the other codes. Here is the diagnostic for the P0841 from the FSM.

The DTC will set if the L/R Pressure Switch reads open or closed at the wrong time in a given gear.


Possible Causes
LOSS OF PRIME AND/OR TIPM DTC PRESENT
LOW FLUID LEVEL
LOW LINE PRESSURE
CRACKED OR MISINSTALLED PRIMARY OIL FILTER OR FILTER SEAL
STICKING MAIN REGULATOR VALVE IN PUMP VALVE BODY
NO. 1 CHECK BALL CUT OR DAMAGED
WIRING AND CONNECTORS
(T50) L/R PRESSURE SWITCH SENSE CIRCUIT OPEN
(T50) L/R PRESSURE SWITCH SENSE CIRCUIT SHORT TO GROUND
(T50) L/R PRESSURE SWITCH SENSE CIRCUIT SHORT TO VOLTAGE
TRANSMISSION SOLENOID/TRS ASSEMBLY
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE
REAR ANNULUS GEAR DRIVE SHELL SNAP RING DISLODGED


First check the snap in filter O-ring once more. Then evaluate the amount of metal in the pan, then follow the rest of the diagnostic information to isolate the cause. My guess is the trans is not hurt that bad, and can be repaired for a few hundred in parts if you diagnose it properly, and carefully inspect the parts for damage. If it broke a hard part, there is almost no reason to even disassemble the clutches if the fluid was not burned. Contrary to what the transmission shop might say, there would not be any metal throughout the transmission, because when a hard part breaks, it usually drops the debris into the pan. It really has no way to go through the pump. Again refer back to the spin on filter, inside clean, no debris went through the internals.
If your skilled you could even pull it yourself (after performing a through diagnosis first) and make the repair if it isn't hurt too bad.
If you rebuild what you have, next step is to sell the Smarty and use the $ toward the repair.
The 68 RFE has proven to be a great transmission behind the mighty Cummins.

 

[SidneyW]

Ended up being the T. C. It came apart and sent metal in the pump. Had to get a new pump and a new T. C. And rebuild entire transmission. $3,700. 00 ! At least the shop give me a three year warranty. Not real happy about this. Would not expect this with only 44,000 miles. Wanted to give everyone the diagnosis. Thanks to all of you for the help.

 

[DieselLady]

Just wanted to add, since I didn't see it in here. When your 68 gives you 4th gear only, that is limp mode. You won't have lock up either only fluid coupling. So if this happens to anyone else, I would park it and call a tow truck instead of pushing it. Just that fact that you have no lockup with create a lot of heat in the trans.
Also, I have heard that the big snap ring commonly breaks. If that would have been the issue, then continually driving it will do more damage.
Mine died at 53k miles. I was running an ATS converter and Edge on 3. I did the full ATS trans with Copilot and it has been awesome ever since. If you still want some power, and you want a trans that will pull at Peak Torque, instead of at 2800 rpms, I would get an ATS fully built. They are expensive. But cheaper than doing it over and over again.
Glad you got it fixed. ")

 

[SidneyW]

Thanks diesel lady for the info. Since this has happened, I have kinda got a little discouraged with the truck. Been thinking about just selling it. Not sure at this point. Now I will always have the fear in back of my mind of it going out again. I thought this transmission was better than this. I give thumbs down now to the 68 RFE.

 

[1972JohnBoy]

Have a friend with a 2010 with same symptoms. His threw these codes today, P0944, P0868 andP0841. Can anyone help identify these. I am searching for a list now, have seen discussion on these before but I have never had any problems myself and never had to find any. I know they have been some printed in the magazines too. Hope it is something simple for both of you.

He took his to the local dealer and they drooped the pan and found a filter loose. I had read the advice somewhere when searching that that was a possible cause of symptoms like his. My advice was drop the pan and check for that and see if there is any metal debris indicating something breaking apart. The dealer unbelievably replaced filters and serviced the transmission under warranty even though the truck has the egr deletes. As a side note the previous owner told us that he had recently serviced the trans. He informed us he was a mechanic at a Mercedes dealership in Louisville, and I questioned him about the deletes and other things he had done and was knowledgeable about the truck. Everyone makes mistakes occasionally I guess. I wish it had worked out as simple as this story for you SidneyW. Don't be too discouraged because being made by man, none are perfect. Luck be with you.

 

[Bob4x4]

Thanks diesel lady for the info. Since this has happened, I have kinda got a little discouraged with the truck. Been thinking about just selling it. Not sure at this point. Now I will always have the fear in back of my mind of it going out again. I thought this transmission was better than this. I give thumbs down now to the 68 RFE.

Additional power calls for other supporting up-grades-note the 2013 with additional power get a different trans... ... ... .

 

[DieselLady]

Additional power calls for other supporting up-grades-note the 2013 with additional power get a different trans... ... ... .

LOL, Ya, because the 68 really can't hold the power that this truck can put out. Even stock, they have a TCM that IS Torque Management. What that means is, When pulling at peak torque, down shift and unlock TC, gain 1000 rpm so the truck won't put so much torque through the WEAK 68. Right Bob!!! LOL

 

[HBarlow]

We easily forget with all the computerized controls on our engines and trucks that large eighteen wheel trucks loaded to 80,000 lbs. and more a few years ago had engines that could not produce the horsepower and torque our quiet, smooth, and refined engines do without even the slightest puff of smoke.

The Cummins engine is capable of shredding any of the transmissions Ram hangs behind them - Mopar six speed, Aisin six speed, or G-56.

 

[BIGNASTY]

We easily forget with all the computerized controls on our engines and trucks that large eighteen wheel trucks loaded to 80,000 lbs. and more a few years ago had engines that could not produce the horsepower and torque our quiet, smooth, and refined engines do without even the slightest puff of smoke.

The Cummins engine is capable of shredding any of the transmissions Ram hangs behind them - Mopar six speed, Aisin six speed, or G-56.

And do tell us of your last terrifying experience behind the wheel of a Class 8 rig HB??? Sounds like you should be WALLY THOR'S chief driving instructor.
Or better yet tell us of the last time you ran the pattern of a 13 speed? WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING!!!!!!!!! and THE WHEELS TURNING!!!!!

BET YOU HAVE A CHAIN DRIVE WALLET, BALL CAP WITH A PETERBILT PATCH, ARMS CUT OFF A DICKIES SHIRT (name patch BUBBA) and a BOL folder made of SIMULATED HAGAHIDE.

Just cause you put this on the CD doesn't mean your a driver of anything other than you THUMB UP YOUR A ** EVEN IN YOUR DREAMS :-laf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19hJndFxhUA

 

[DieselLady]

We easily forget with all the computerized controls on our engines and trucks that large eighteen wheel trucks loaded to 80,000 lbs. and more a few years ago had engines that could not produce the horsepower and torque our quiet, smooth, and refined engines do without even the slightest puff of smoke.

The Cummins engine is capable of shredding any of the transmissions Ram hangs behind them - Mopar six speed, Aisin six speed, or G-56.

That's not the point. The point is,,,,, EVEN A STOCK engine, is more than the 68 can handle. Never before have we had a trans that had a controller that purposely down shifts and unlocks the converter so that your driving the Horsepower, instead of the torque. The REASON IS,,,, Because they knew this trans can't handle the torque, EVEN A STOCK ENGINE!!!
So this is way different than having a 47 or 48 re behind the cummins.