2013 transmissions

[dnetting]

I just replaced my 1999 3500 with a new 2013 3500 so I am not sure how the transmission shifting should feel.( 68RFE/3.73) In all the gears except 6 and maybe 5, there is a slight increase in rpms as it goes to each higher gear. It does not seem related to warm up.My dealer is not real convenient plus I did not buy my RAM there so I thought I would ask hear first if this is normal or bad. I thought it might be good so there is less shock on the drive train between shifts but it also does not feel normal.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

My transmission does the same thing. I carried it back to the dealer for a flash but it did not change. I am driving it like it is.

 

[Bill Stockard]

For more information, check this thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com...on-for-trans-guy&highlight=transmission+flare

Bill

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Just for information, the Aisin doesn't do this.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I just replaced my 1999 3500 with a new 2013 3500 so I am not sure how the transmission shifting should feel.( 68RFE/3.73) In all the gears except 6 and maybe 5, there is a slight increase in rpms as it goes to each higher gear. It does not seem related to warm up.My dealer is not real convenient plus I did not buy my RAM there so I thought I would ask hear first if this is normal or bad. I thought it might be good so there is less shock on the drive train between shifts but it also does not feel normal.

I run my 11 HO with Tow Haul on ALL the time with EB also. The trans shifts very firm.

 

[Bug Out]

dnetting, I have been down this road for several months. I had a 2012 3500 max tow with the 68 RFE that shifted fine with no flare. I jump into my new 2013 ( long story why I bought a 13) and low and behold it shifts with a "flare". Back and forth to the dealer blah blah, change valve body. Come to find out, Chrysler apparently because of complaints about hard "downshifting" on the 2012 68 RFE ( And I recall it was hard) the trans engineers decided to open the gap in between shifts to lessen the hard down shift. So now what your hearing is the transmission shifting out of TCL (torq convt lock) to up shift, then take another second to go back into lock once in the next higher gear. Downshifts are smooth compared to last years 68 RFE. The gap was much less in 2012 and no flare could be heard.. I'm told that the 2014's "flare" has been addressed and is not as big as 2013, but that they may have a re flash out sometime this year to correct the flare or lessen it. Had I known this, I would have gone up to the 3500 with a Aisin. I HATE the way this thing shifts. It reminds me of a teenager shifting a stick transmission and letting the motor rev between shifts....Anyhow, I'm told no harm to the transmission blah blah..

 

[Gonzo 1066]

My 13 has that exact shift flare, and it does not bother me a bit. I would much rather have the torque converter unlock to soften the shift than have a hard shift that is tough on the clutch packs. You just have to understand how the transmission works and then it is ok.

 

[Bug Out]

They could cut the flare in half and I'd be happy. Many years of 68 RFE's behind the 2013 did have either issue. I would much rather have the guy sitting behind a computer terminal in Michigan making shift patterns put a re-flash out for these like they did 2014 then listen to a 50K machine "flare" on upshifts to help downshifts.

 

[jus2shy]

I used to have the flare on mine, but a reflash by and large got rid of it. If anything, it occasionally just maintains a given RPM as it shifts to the next gear. No increase in revs. I've posted the tsb a while back on another forum and I can't locate it right now. But the update is specifically targeted towards people that don't like the flaring.

Update: So I did find my paperwork. I had 2 TSB's to take care of this condition. TSB 18-018-13 and TSB 18-032-13. I do occasionally get a clunky downshift, as if the computer was anticipating for me to stay in the throttle and I suddenly pull my foot out of it. But it's very rare.

 

[Minewelder]

Does anyone know if the 68RFE and the Aisin AS69RC transmissions are interchangeable?

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Does anyone know if the 68RFE and the Aisin AS69RC transmissions are interchangeable?

If you are talking about upgrading your current truck to a Aisin trans, I would just trade trucks. I assume that the trans control computer is different as is the engine control computer.

 

[Minewelder]

Well the reason I was asking is because I have a 2011.5 Ram 2500 and the Aisin AS69RC is only available on the 3500 models and I don't exactly make the money to just go out and trade trucks right now. Wouldn't the dealership be able to just reprogram the computer for the Aisin transmission?

 

[Cissco]

I think the 68rfe uses the engines computer. And the Aisin has it's own computer.

 

[dnetting]

Thanks for the information. Tomorrow I am going to stop at the dealer and ask if they can use the TSBs on my truck. It has been 10 years since I been to this dealer and I sure hope they know a lot more about trucks than they did then.

 

[dnetting]

I took the truck to the dealer and gave him the list of TSB that were posted hear. They did something, the shifting is different but not sure yet if it is better or worse. Still does not shift like the old truck or any cars that I have had. So I will give it some time before I do anything else. Maybe wait until the 7500 oil change.

 

[LocoPilot750]

Mine has a flare compared to my old '97 truck of course. Not sure what is normal now with this new '14. But from what I can tell, It seems to shift up from 1st, to 2nd, to 3rd, then the TC locks. Then it goes to 4th unlocked, then locks, then 5th(OD) unlock, then lock, and so forth. Does this seem about right? I think the "Flare" I hear & feel is when it's momentarily unlocked.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Mine has a flare compared to my old '97 truck of course. Not sure what is normal now with this new '14. But from what I can tell, It seems to shift up from 1st, to 2nd, to 3rd, then the TC locks. Then it goes to 4th unlocked, then locks, then 5th(OD) unlock, then lock, and so forth. Does this seem about right? I think the "Flare" I hear & feel is when it's momentarily unlocked.

That unlocking and locking of the TC is normal in the RFE transmission. Just a shifting program that helps prevent overloading the clutch packs. Again once you understand that this is normal and the clutches are NOT slipping during the shift to 5th and 6th all if fine.

 

[RKerner]

That unlocking and locking of the TC is normal in the RFE transmission. Just a shifting program that helps prevent overloading the clutch packs. Again once you understand that this is normal and the clutches are NOT slipping during the shift to 5th and 6th all if fine.

I read the three threads and my 13 flares in between 4/5 and 5/6 and now even when it is loaded. I'm not buyin' some new engineer in the transmission dept with a TDR login as providing gospel when it comes to how my truck is working. If the flare was consistent EVERY time, then it could be intentional at first. When it decays, it means that unintended consequences are at work. My 48RE didn 't flare or slip until I put too much Programmer into it. I would ask trans engineer what the b10 life of the 68RFE is for 2013. Then I need to know why Slip/flare is now acceptable when it never was before. Is it only because of significant torque
Limiting that is a lot faster than in 2004.5 (slip is ok with little torque)? Anyway, until transengineer's credentials are validated, flare to me is slip and is not conducive to long transmission life unless compelling data is brought forth to show me validation was thoroughly done. Otherwise, it'll be a sell or extended warranty decision.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Slip and flare are not the same thing rkerner. If your truck is slipping you have problems. The flare your truck is experiencing is tq converter unlock during shifts. If your trans was slipping I'm fairly certain you'd have cel's popping up

 

[Bug Out]

Trans engineers credentials have been confirmed when I went thru this same debacle for several months from may 2013 to august 2013.. I have a 2013 with the flare. I had a 2012 with a 68 RFE and no flare, then bought a 2013 and thought something was messed up.After 3 months of farting around, come to find out they changed the shift pattern to make shifts softer. I will say my 2012 slammed hard when downshifting with a load, but the 13 does not.

The flare between up shifts is annoying as h#ell, but it has not gotten worse. The pattern got better (not loaded) after a reflash in july of 2013. I read here that a reflash in Nov 2013 supposed to have helped more. I'm still trying to get my service guy to return my phone calls so I can schedule a appointment..... ( My happy Dodge dealer in Surprise,Az)

I am told the 2014 is not as bad as the 13. I have not driven one. I was told a re-flash to fix the flare was in the works, but takes time to go thru the channels of various departments. I dont think its high on the list because no one really complains about it.

ie my sig "68 RFFE" Rear full Flare Electronic..