2012 Ram 3500 Transmission Issues

[JLesofski]

New to this site just looking for a little input.
I have 530k miles on my pickup with the current transmission at about 100k. I had it built by aamco after it's last trip to the transmission shop. They beefed everything up with billet parts, sonnex I believe. I was driving yesterday and as I was getting on the interstate it shifted normally up to 3rd then when it tried for 4th it popped a CEL and acted as if it was in nuetral. Codes were p0734 and p0735. I cleared codes and tried again with the same result. I was able to limp it quite a ways in 3rd to the dealership. Just curious if anybody has any ideas what could be the issue and what I'm looking at. Dealer is closed tomorrow so thought I'd check here before the dog into it. Thanks for your help.

 

[RVTRKN]

Wow, last time I went to AAMCO, they removed my auto trans oil pan on my 94 2500 HD 360 gasser, and claimed it was toast. I took it to an independant shop, serviced it and they said it was good to go. Last time I saw the truck in 2018, even though the paint was gone, it was still running the original trans with only PM's performed. Never will I go to AAMCO again. Have it rebuilt by a good independant shop.

 

[nukegm]

aamco is still in existence? they screwed me so bad when i was in college it still hurts. that was 32 years ago. most dishonest car transaction i have ever had in my adult life. cheers, and good luck comrade.

 

[JLesofski]

Wow, last time I went to AAMCO, they removed my auto trans oil pan on my 94 2500 HD 360 gasser, and claimed it was toast. I took it to an independant shop, serviced it and they said it was good to go. Last time I saw the truck in 2018, even though the paint was gone, it was still running the original trans with only PM's performed. Never will I go to AAMCO again. Have it rebuilt by a good independant shop.

Ya I wasn't super impressed by them either but I was stuck and my hand was forced. I'm going to have Dodge read the codes and do the initial diagnosis then go from there. I would prefer an independent shop but I'll let Dodge do it depending on what's going on. I'm looking more for advice as to what may be going on with my transmission before Dodge looks at it Monday.

 

[DonFitzwater]

AAMCO= All Automatics Must Come Out

 

[DonFitzwater]

34 and 35 mean you are having problems with 4th and 5th gear. Could be a solenoid pack problem or a legitimate problem with the clutch packs. Has the transmission ever had a valve body replaced? The valve body is basically a solenoid pack. I’ve got several transmissions of this variant and the valve bodies are all that seem to go bad in my experience.

 

[JLesofski]

34 and 35 mean you are having problems with 4th and 5th gear. Could be a solenoid pack problem or a legitimate problem with the clutch packs. Has the transmission ever had a valve body replaced? The valve body is basically a solenoid pack. I’ve got several transmissions of this variant and the valve bodies are all that seem to go bad in my experience.

I believe the valve body was replaced when it was rebuilt but I'd have to go through my paperwork to check. I'm hoping it's something that doesn't involve a complete tear down. I'm not very savvy when it comes to transmissions but I'm learning everytime I put a new one in....

 

[JLesofski]

I know there isn't probably a straight forward answer to this question but here goes...at what point would you need to replace the TC? If it's not catastrophic failure is there a chance it's still good?

 

[DonFitzwater]

I know there isn't probably a straight forward answer to this question but here goes...at what point would you need to replace the TC? If it's not catastrophic failure is there a chance it's still good?

It all depends on what has happened inside the magic spinning thingy. Drop the pan and take a look and see what you find. The problem indicated by the trouble codes doesn't indicate anything to me about the torque converter being faulty. I searched a tech help database and the most common reported fixes are solenoid packs, not internals.

 

[JLesofski]

It all depends on what has happened inside the magic spinning thingy. Drop the pan and take a look and see what you find. The problem indicated by the trouble codes doesn't indicate anything to me about the torque converter being faulty. I searched a tech help database and the most common reported fixes are solenoid packs, not internals.

Dodge told me they thought it was the solenoid pack as well. Then they pulled the pan...he said large metal chunks. So it's going to a transmission shop to get torn open and see what's next. Thanks for your reponses everyone!

 

[RVTRKN]

If you have the luxury to wait, search here in TDR for good transmission shop. FWIW, American Transmission Exchange https://www.yellowpages.com/fontana-ca/mip/american-transmission-exchange-546764313 if your in SoCal, it was the honest shop that I mentioned in an earlier post.

 

[Robert Simpson]

New to this site just looking for a little input.
I have 530k miles on my pickup with the current transmission at about 100k. I had it built by aamco after it's last trip to the transmission shop. They beefed everything up with billet parts, sonnex I believe. I was driving yesterday and as I was getting on the interstate it shifted normally up to 3rd then when it tried for 4th it popped a CEL and acted as if it was in nuetral. Codes were p0734 and p0735. I cleared codes and tried again with the same result. I was able to limp it quite a ways in 3rd to the dealership. Just curious if anybody has any ideas what could be the issue and what I'm looking at. Dealer is closed tomorrow so thought I'd check here before the dog into it. Thanks for your help.

That's why I bought a 6 speed manual trans...........

 

[RVTRKN]

If its the G56, don't jinx yourself. Mine so far has cost me $3.5K and counting. SMF conversion with a DDS 3250 clutch, and a cooling system to keep the temperatures under 200* without towing, I wish I opted for the Aisin auto.

 

[Amishjeff]

The weakest point we are seeing in these transmissions is deflection and warping of the channel plate and the solenoid switch valve bore wearing out. D&J components has a billet channel plate to fix this issue. What area are you in? I may someone in the area that is very familiar with this issue.