2012 ram Dually full time trailer hauler having turbo and transmission codes coming up

[SRay]

Hello, got a buddy here with a 2012 ram Dually with a 68rfe that hauls a 30 ft flatbed gooseneck everyday.



He's logged on 127,000 k so far and had the smarty jr programmer on it for some while.



Just last week the 68rfe failed and fingers are pointing to the smarty as the cause. The smarty was only a 70 hp tune.



Also code p2262 has been popping up for turbo and transmission p0868 p0218.



He has since switched over to H&S progrmmer and runs the lowest setting. The dpf has been removed.



Lately for the first time today since he's cleared the codes, they haven't been popping up. He's gonna try again tomorrow when he goes to Niagara Falls with a load.



He's wondering what's causing some of these issues.

 

[transe]

P0868 = Line Pressure Low

P0218 = Trans High Temperature Operation Activated



P0218 means the sump temp hit 240°F, which is not unexpected if he's pulling a load up a long, steep grade. This is just an informational code; it does NOT indicate a "fault" per se. The trans shift schedule changes when the sump temp hits 240°F (to try to cool it down), primarily expanding the range where the Torque Converter Clutch [TCC] is engaged. So the driver may notice that the trans is "shifting differently. " If he later goes to the dealer complaining that his trans was "shifting funny," the tech will find the P0218 code and be able to explain that the unusual shifting was due to the unique "high temperature operation" shift schedule. That is, nothing is "wrong," the trans is simply shifting the way it was intended to (when it gets hot).



P0868 is a different concern. This means the line pressure was significantly below the Desired Line Pressure level (at least 15 psi too low, I think). That may indeed indicate a problem, although if the trans was slipping I would expect other faults as well.



How exactly did the trans fail? What did it do (or not do)? No other trans faults besides P0868 and P0218?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Has he changed fluid and filters (especially) on a regular basis? Could the filters have been almost plugged, and changed when the trans was rebuilt? And, BTW, 70s HP is not just a little "tune up" to the stock transmisssion, or to exhaust gas temperatures, either.

 

[DonFitzwater]

"He's wondering what's causing some of these issues"

Leave her stock unless he want's to go all the way with bombing it!

 

[SRay]

Transengineer: those are the only codes so far. When transmission had issues, it felt like a manual transmission with a slipping clutch.

Joe: waiting for a response from his mechanic as to the service records on what was done to truck.

Dfitzwater: I wouldn't blame the programmer yet. Sure he put more stress on the internals but even completely stock trucks have failed too.

 

[Bug Out]

I'm no fan of the 68 RFE for 2013 with the flare shifts. But my 2012 3500 dually max tow with the 68 RFE was rated to pull 30K GCVW... It would have done that without a problem and the meager 350 HP/800Ft trq ... That was with 4:10 rears etc. If he has anything less then that, pumping 70HP into the game is putting a 68 RFE into AISIN territory of 30K towing + truck... Just my humble opinion... I think the engineers have put a "safety factor" into the 68 RFE which would exceed 30K GCVW but twisting too much power into it is a game changer. . He may want to go to the 2013 w/Aisin for a bullet proof transmission... . JMHO.....

 

[SRay]

Bug Out: the aisin would be my choice of auto as well

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I don't want to dis someone's beloved 2012, but the 2013 has a lot of improvements in frame strength, brakes, fuel mileage, towing, and in particular the Aisin now being available in pickups. Both the Cummins part (with DEF strategy and more power), and the Ram parts make the 2013-4 a pinnacle of performance, imo.

 

[SRay]

Joe: does the 2013 have the same stuff as the 2013. 5? Or completely different truck? I know everyone talked about the 2013. 5 while we were at the cummins tour.

 

[transe]

Transengineer: those are the only codes so far. When transmission had issues, it felt like a manual transmission with a slipping clutch.

OK, let me make sure I understand. You said the trans failed last week. Now you say "when transmission had issues". So, was the trans repaired? Or did the problems just go away?



If the trans was actually slipping (internally), it should go into "logical limp-in", where it launches normally in 1st gear from a stop, but then shifts directly into 4th gear (and stays there, until you come to a stop again). I presume it's not doing that?



Maybe it was simply downshifting (or unlocking the TCC) when it was acting "like a manual transmission with a slipping clutch. "

 

[SRay]

Transengineer: according to my buddy it failed. He takes his truck to a mechanic. So I'm assuming that he's thought something was wrong with transmission and told them to fix it.

I said had issues as it was before the rebuild that the transmission was slipping. After the rebuild the codes that I posted are showing up.

I'll relay the message to him

 

[SRay]

Transengineer: update, he had transmission checked on Saturday, all they did was remove a line restricter that was supposed to fool the sensor. Now the codes are cleared so far. Only thing done to transmission was a few different things to handle the power better.

 

[transe]

OK, so trans drives OK now? He should be good, then. Since the line pressure "foolers" send a lower-than-actual LP reading to the PCM, I wouldn't be surprised if his P0868 codes were simply the result of having that "fooler" installed.



But a word of caution: once they remove the "fooler," they should have run a quicklearn procedure (using a scan tool) to reset and re-learn all the shift adaptives and clutch volumes. If they didn't do that, then he should drive it VERY GENTLY for the first week or so, or he runs some risk of damaging his clutches.

 

[SRay]

Transengineer: I'll tell him that, thank you.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

To Cummins and Ram, the 2013 model is a 2013. 5 because it wasn't introduced until January 2013. However, there was no early 2013. 0 model since Ram ran the 2012s out through December using the old emissions recipe, old frame, etc.

 

[SRay]

Ok, so my other trucking buddy bought basically a 2013. 5 3500 with g56 then? He said its a 2013 which is being outfitted at the moment for trailer duty.

 

[S.Morris]

S. Ray



How does he get the deleted truck through Ontario commercial emissions?

 

[SRay]

S. Morris: I'm not even sure. My truck is just a visual every two years, no catalytic converter on, the pump has been "fixed" but no drive clean facility has even looked for those.

A 1998 12v, pump maxed out, marine injectors, and too small turbo got him in trouble with the cops several times. The cops ordered him to get his truck emission tested several times but $40 each time it's a pass and he's back on the road doing the same smoking out places, cars, people, and being a complete @$$ about it.

I've been told that even trucking companies have gotten brave, even done the dpf delete and are not getting fined for it.

At the same time, ontario's drive clean is a complete joke. First they use machines to test cars and trucks, but because over 90% of vehicles easily passed, the premier needs another justification to keep the system going and the cash flowing. In comes obd2 diagnostics. Engine light on? Fail. Even if the emission machine says passed.

I feel sorry for gm vehicle owners. Their continuous flashing engine light no matter what has been fixed have pretty much made them trashed.

The most stupid part of all, why only certain areas in southern ontario get tested and not all ontario? Best thing for the ontario government to do is scrap the program altogether.

Meanwhile I think they're setting up a money grabbing trap..... We'll see

 

[SRay]

Joe: so my trucking buddy bought a 2013. 5? Should be an interesting truck. This one will have a g56 trans. He prefers to shift his own gears.



I'm interested in how the truck operates over time with the new emission system and def fluid. He's hoping this truck will be better than the 2009. But the 2009 has taken abuse and handled it well.



I have not seen a Furd or Chebby doing what he has been doing. In his fleet of truck owners that haul trailers including me, several are dmax owners and they have small gooseneck trailers while he and several dodge or ram guys run tandem duals or triaxles. I have a pintle hook triaxle.

 

[Bug Out]

With the power downgrade to the G56, he would have to be crazy to want to shift his own gears... . He has a 5. 9 in trq and HP for all intents and purposes. . If your gonna blow money on a 2013, go 3500 with the AISIN. I dont care how much he likes to play with the gear box, the AISIN with 370 HP 850 Trq should run circles around a G56. . JMHO...



I have a 2013 with the 68RFe which in my opinion, based on the DELL tech support change in shift patterns is JUNK... If you got the money, go AISIN. I dont say that so Chrysler can make a few more bucks, but the 68 RFE was screwed with the slip in slide shift pattern. . Dont ask me how I know... I live with it everyday.





The "RFFE" in my sig means, " REAR FULL FLARE ELECTRONIC...