Archived 48RE out of the truck!

[KHogan]

My buddy's '03 305/555 is dead in the water. It's currently at the dealer with the transmission (48RE) scattered all over the bench. The Dealer took pix to send to DC for their determination as to whether they replace or rebuild (they don't know what's wrong with it). The thing has only 15k on it, only towed with twice (tandem open car trailer with a small racecar), and is a daily driver. It was not shifting properly. It took a lot of talking to get this life-long bowtie guy to buy a Dodge... . GM's use of a Japanese diesel and DC's use of a Cummins did the deal... . now, he is NOT a happy camper. In addition, NJ Lemon Law only goes to 18k, and you need to give them three tries before you can get action. Anybody else with a similar problem? I'm worried as well as I am awaiting (3mos. now!) delivery of my '04. 5 Cummins 600 w/48RE.

 

[fencebuilders]

My 48 RE has been perfect,as well as many of my pals trucks. I hope you get it handled by DC. Seems i remeber some talk of a potentially faulty design in the trans in reference to a thrust washer. Good luck to you guys. Mark.

 

[KHogan]

This particular transmission was slipping on the 1-2 shift. The applicable band has somehow dislodged itself and/or broken and has caused significant internal damage. My buddy is fighting to get the transmission replaced vs. rebuilt by DC.

 

[fencebuilders]

The rebuild might even be a better option if the thrust washer were changed/modified. I dont know if the new trannys have been modified. Just some food for thought. Good luck.

 

[KHogan]

Supposedly, the valve body was bad thereby causing the band problem. It's back together and back in the truck and is currently working OK. My buddy is keeping his fingers crossed. At least DC ate the rental car he needed while they repaired the thing.

 

[KHogan]

Truck is down again... transmission's out and the Dealer doesn't have a clue. They wanna replace the valve body again. This time, it's shifting ok, but the thing has a drag on it at low speeds like the brakes are hanging up (except they aren't).

 

[DShehi]

2003 3500 QC 4x4 long bed HO/48RE

My 48RE was rebuilt at 5500 miles. Dealer claims the front clutch retained failed. New converter, overhaul kit plus misc items.

Problem was slipping, hunting for a gear when shifting from 2-3 and 3-2 under load. before and now it still will hunt when shifting at around 1400 RPM, 20 miles per hour with a light throttle. It has hunted for a gear, 2-3, under load a couple of time since the rebuild. I wanted a new 48re, but the dealer said no. So far the fluid is not burnt. My gut feeling is that is not fixed yet, only around 1,000 miles since the rebuild.



Don Shehi

Camp Verde, Arizona

 

[WyattEarp]

KHogan i had the same problem with my 2000 automatic, I don't remember the exact miles but it started doing the same thing, took it to the dealer the first time, revised valve body I was like okay change it, went on a trip to my buddies wedding all the way to State College Pa. got within 10 miles of his grandmothers house and well it started again would hardly pull itself, so i called immediatly Needless to say what i told them was not pretty, me being that far away made it worse for them, anyways got back took it in again to the dealer and a come to find out it was a sensor on the transmission that had went bad.

I have to say that the revised valve body might have been a early fix for something that could have gotten worse, but the truck has been fine ever since, I do belive mine was already out of warranty but the sensor was still covered somehow. Anyways i hope your buddy has had his last problem, the revised valve body from what i have read is a must, it allows more fluid to circulate it probably saved me a fried transmission...

 

[KHogan]

The Dealer went throught the trans, adjusted the belt(s) and replaced the valve body again. We both have the feeling that this won't be the last time. He wants a new transmission (likely it'll be a reman), but DC wouldn't do it this time. He's at their mercy because while it's not even a year old, it's over the 18,500mi limit of the NJ Lemon Law. DC doesn't have to adhere to the three tries you're out (buy-back) and they know it.

 

[WyattEarp]

If they have a excellent transmission man at that dealer he should be alright, but thats a 50/50 shot. And no guarantee that a new transmission wouldn't have problems either.

well if he has 15k on the transmission now and the lemon law is 18. 5k then he has some time to frie the darn thing if he can, if it were me and they get it redone and its still acting up for sure, some hellacious shifting and winding out would take place to get rid of it for good. but of course this is my opinion because i remember what it was like when mine acted up, very frustrating