48re Gear Hunt

[AndyT]

Hi everyone! I am new to TDR and relatively new to Dodge ownership. I recently traded my 2000 Ford F-250 7. 3 in for the 2005 Dodge. So far, I am quite please with the truck. One exception though: on light to moderate acceleration, the transmission seems to hunt around for a gear. It did this before I had the Goerend valve body installed and is more noticeable with the upgraded valve body due to the firmer shifting characteristics. I have heard some people say the problem is programming related and others say it is a mechanical problem. Is there a definite answer on this? It is a very annoying problem and a prime example of why I have a distaste for automatics. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Press the accelerator a little harder. Mine shifts much better when I keep the RPMs up! I use tow-haul mode around town to keep it from going in to OD lockup and back out with the least throttle blip.

 

[AndyT]

It does shift better with more pedal, but I can't always do that. Some people around here drive too slow.



Are there any software or hardware fixes for this problem?

 

[Kday]

I'm wondering the same thing and I'm planning a Goerend TC/VB.

 

[DieselFiend]

Mine does the same thing. Like it can't decide between 2nd and 3rd. Pretty annoying thats for sure.

 

[AWise]

Has this been an issue only on '05s? I havent noticed it on my '06.

 

[231jasonS]

I did not have this problem on my 06 until i changed the valve body and TC. Now its pretty consistant at 30 MPH it will shift back and forth from 2 to 3rd and back and forth until i speed up or slow down.



What's the deal?

 

[Regcabguy]

I had the same symptoms on my '99 w'DTT. The Smart Controller from DTT minimized this with correct settings from Fred Swanson,one of DTT's installers. Don't know if this would help you or not. www.dieseltrans.com

 

[Kday]

The BIG ?

How do you like the VB/TC compared to the stock slushy TC?

 

[nps]

How do you like the VB/TC compared to the stock slushy TC?

I love it! My Smarty is what made the TC needing to be replaced, and my son got me the VB for Christmas.



I asked Dave for a 1400 RPM stall, and the difference off the line is amazing. I can't imagine going back to the stock TC even before it started to slip.



I don't notice any hunting. But I also drive with my e-brake on always which keeps Tow/Haul on without having to hit the button.

 

[231jasonS]

so what is the fix for the "hunting" of gears?

 

[AndyT]

My thought/question exactly!

 

[nps]

so what is the fix for the "hunting" of gears?

Sorry - can't help. Can't fix something that isn't broke on my truck.



Sounds like '05 and '06's are reporting the symptom. I've got two differences with my truck and the way I drive compared to other posts on here:

1. I drive with my E-brake on which puts it into tow/haul always.

2. I am running a Smarty on 9 with Mild Tq Mgt.



I'm not saying get a Smarty to fix it, but have you tried tow/haul on your '06 and do you still get the hunt?



Maybe there is a third difference - here in Vegas nobody does under 45mph!

 

[231jasonS]

It does not do it when in tow/haul. On my drive home from work its freeway for 32 miles at 80+MPH then its 18 miles of 50MPH hills and then 2miles of 25-30miles. The last two miles are when i have the hunting problems. I guess i could just slp it into tow haul, but i shouldnt have to.



I never had this problem with the stock TC/VB nor did i have this with my 04. 5 with or without TC&VB.



I just cant find anyone that can scan my ecm while driving to tell me what the govener pressure is. The drive pressures are were they are supposed to be. No one except the dealer has the 06 software updates.

 

[sag2]

Check the front band adjustment first. You can adjust a tad on the tight side and be ok, but probably not more than 1/4 turn.

 

[CUMMINZ]

nps

I like that statement. " My smarty made me do it!! :-laf

 

[BDW]

I have a 06 which is stock and do alot of 30 mph driving. I dont have a problem with hunting for gears. I dont know but I would guess its a soft ware problem.

 

[sag2]

If the band adjustment does not do it a new valve body usually does. Since most that responded already have modified bodies I'm not sure what to say. When my stock 06 did it I got several recordings with the StarMobile and it showed nothing out of the ordinary. Going in I thought it was a fight between governor and throttle pressure. But looking at the pressures I recorded, they were steady. That leads me to believe it is hydraulic system problem like a sticky shift valve or valve spring slightly out of spec. Mine also would not do it in tow/haul, so it still looks like it is pressure related. Unfortunately we just replaced it and I didn't get a chance to open it up before it was returned. It only occurs under very light throttle at steady speeds below 25 mph, so most people are going to drive right through it.

It would be interesting to add some spring tension to the 2-3 shift valve so it would take more throttle pressure to force the shift.

 

[JMarketos]

I'll echo the same thing observed with my 2005 4x4 QC.

I learned early on that shifts can seem rough and sometimes

it will hunt back and forth between gears, but only if I use

very light throttle. The hunting occurs sometimes when accelerating

slow with the tach at 1500-1600. To avoid this, I simply

accelerate a bit harder 1700-1800 RPM (this is not outrageous).

There, the trans shifts smoother and doesn't hunt.



I see lots of other good advice in this post.

My own rationale was simply that these trucks are mules,

made to pull. They're probably calibrated for more optimum

operation under some torque load.

 

[HOODWINK]

thats funny! i just got my truck 2 weeks ago and this was the first thing i noticed. . so i just messed around w/the shifter and decided to leave it in tow/haul mode around town. . guess its normal?