68 RE shift pattern..Need input ASAP.

[Bug Out]

I have a 2013 2500 with the 68 RFE transmission. When I am cruising along not in the throttle or in the throttle, it shifts fine from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th. . Then it goes into what I believe is TCL (Torq conv lock) 4th gear. Now, when it up shifts to 5th gear, 70% of the time, it comes out of TCL, rpm's go up for a "1001 count, shifts into 5th, then drops back into TCL. 5th to 6th this does not happen.



It almost sounds like the old days when you would have a transmission slipping between shifts instead of a positive shift. I DO NOT recall the 2012 3500 doing this at all.



Is the transmission supposed to come out of TCL between shifts from 4th up or ????? If not, is this a electronic adjustment the dealer can do? Or will I get the standard " they all do that "crap from them??



I have listened to it under moderate throttle and it does the same thing, but less duration of time in Unlock, . 5 sec etc.



Thanks for your input.



Ed

 

[Hoefler]

Yes, the torque convertor unlocks for every shift. If you use Tow/Haul, it will lock up in second gear and unlock, shift, lock up as it goes through the gears. The shifts will be firmer and the unlock time between shift will also be shorter.

 

[cerberusiam]

None of these transmissions ever shift locked to locked, too hard on the input shaft and other parts. The best you will get under certain conditions is a pulsed unlock that does not exhibit the rpm jump and slip feeling, probably what you were feeling in the later transmission control.

 

[Bug Out]

Just got off the phone with the dealer. Apparently there is a TSB out there for valve bodies for the 68 RFE's that are not shifting properly. (2013's)Said they are on national back order and when it comes in, they will call me. All else checked out.

 

[HBarlow]

I wonder if that happens because when the transmission shifts into sixth gear at a programmed road speed the engine rpm is so low it lugs and immediately downshifts?

 

[Bug Out]

The only time I use 6th gear is on the freeway unloaded. Around town, it drops into 6th under 50 mph and the Rpms hover around 1000-1200 and the truck makes a low dense grumble noise. Once I drop it into 5th, the noise goes away , rpms go up and it runs fine with the MPG pegged past 20 mpg.

I wasn't having any problem with it hunting for gears etc.

The highway MPG is looking real good empty.

 

[Bob4x4]

There is also a flash for some vins

 

[Cummins12V98]

The only time I use 6th gear is on the freeway unloaded. Around town, it drops into 6th under 50 mph and the Rpms hover around 1000-1200 and the truck makes a low dense grumble noise. Once I drop it into 5th, the noise goes away , rpms go up and it runs fine with the MPG pegged past 20 mpg.

I wasn't having any problem with it hunting for gears etc.

The highway MPG is looking real good empty.

You won't have that trouble if you keep it in tow haul mode.

 

[Bug Out]

Will try TH to see what happens. Bob4x4, I cant find 2013 TSB's. Where do i find them?

 

[JLeake]

My 2011 does not hunt in T/H mode with my 68RFE. However if running light from 15-55 it will stay in 5th until 55mph. I commute on a route that has lots of 45-55mph terrain, curves, etc and the mileage goes down at least 2mpg in T/H mode. My 2 cents

 

[Bug Out]

In TH it goes past 50 mph and doesnt shift to 6th.

 

[RustyJC]

In TH it goes past 50 mph and doesnt shift to 6th.

That does seem strange, but it may be due to the 3. 42 gears. Mine will shift to 6th well below 50 MPH when unloaded on light throttle. When towing, I generally run 65 MPH with the cruise control on (~1750 RPM in 6th with the 4. 10 gears) as well as T/H and the exhaust brake. On a grade, it will downshift from 6th to 5th when the speed drops to around 60 MPH (1612 RPM).



Rusty

 

[Bug Out]

Rusty, I tried 12v's idea to see if TH would delay 6th from being shifted to until after 50'ish which it did. The 3:42's are a far cry from 4:10's. I go over 80+ and still barely tacking 2k RPM's

 

[Cummins12V98]

Rusty, I tried 12v's idea to see if TH would delay 6th from being shifted to until after 50'ish which it did. The 3:42's are a far cry from 4:10's. I go over 80+ and still barely tacking 2k RPM's

HA, that's nothing! I am at 2,300rpm at 104mph, that is fast as it will go. It really is a smooth ride at that speed!

 

[Cummins12V98]

Rusty, I tried 12v's idea to see if TH would delay 6th from being shifted to until after 50'ish which it did. The 3:42's are a far cry from 4:10's. I go over 80+ and still barely tacking 2k RPM's

HA, that's nothing! I am at 2,300rpm at 104mph, that is fast as it will go. It really is a smooth ride at that speed!

 

[Bug Out]

I accidentally got to 90 in this new one as I'm not used to the gears. 75 is my tops. Have no burning desire for speed anymore.

 

[Bug Out]

The valve body is in . . I'm leaving it at the dealer Saturday and God willing, this fixes the shift issue. The gap between 4th unlock to 5th or 6th has gotten longer... ... Fingers crossed.....

 

[Bug Out]

Well fellas, it must be my Irish luck... ... The valve body DID NOT FIX THE SHIFTING ISSUE. The have already done different flashes, did not work... ... Apparently what I got from the service guy was flashes first, now valve body. He said it was entered into the STAR system (not sure just what that is at this point-guessing factory tech connect kinda thing) and waiting for a reply hopefully by Monday... He did say that he has seen transmissions changed when they have done all the steps and it does not fix the problem. .

This is going to be the perfect truck for my Forest river 5th wheel that spent 4 out of the first 6 months in the factory getting bugs fixed. They must be "distant cousins"..... Hopefully the transmission dont take a dump on me when I'm doing the real deal pull ( I-17 Camp Verde) up to Flagstaff 4th of July weekend... I might have to re-new my roadside assistance for the RV to be towed home in case it does..... LOL I should have kept my 2005 Dually...

 

[Bob4x4]

Have faith They will get it figured out. Northern Arizona is beautiful enjoy your trip,if you have rv tow coverage nothing ever goes wrong.

 

[Bug Out]

Bob4x4, I'm sure they will fix it. I very glad they acknowledged it has a problem to start with. They could have kissed it off and said, "Oh thats normal". . Anyhow, I'll have fun with it( the debacle of fixing it) till they actually fix it.