Any Aisin Issues?

[Cummins12V98]

As I've said before, I currently own both in a '13 one ton and a '14 3/4 ton. The Aisin is hands down, light years ahead and far superior to the 68rfe. Sure the 68rfe works, but the Aisin works much better. A small block gas engine will "work" yet we all own a Cummins, put that in perspective.

Not only is it a better transmission, but the programming of the shift points and how and when the exhaust brake engages are completely different and far superior. My silly 68rfe will up shift me to where the motor is only spinning 900-1,000 rpm in tow haul mode with 10k behind me, I'm sorry but that is absolutely STUPID! More torque is just gravy, and with the upcoming 900lb/ft coming up, even more gravy!

As stated above, certain low rpm, low speed, throttle lift off situations will cause it to hit 2nd gear pretty hard, like when you leave a stop light as normal and the jack wagon in front of you slows down so you are forced to lift off the throttle. Normal driving it shifts smooth every time. Only flaw I can see and don't really consider it a flaw is you HAVE to be COMPLETELY stopped when shifting between reverse, neutral and drive. If not it will slam into gear pretty hard. Even states this in the manual. Took some getting used to as I would normally back out of my garage, shift to neutral and let the truck coast to a stop, then shift into drive. If I do that with Aisin, it hits gear HARD. Not really a big deal, just have to adjust my driving style some.

Towing 30k uphill it shifts better than any truck I have ever owned, which is A LOT. Including numerous Allison equipped rigs.

I had no issue getting use to the hard hitting. I have owned BUILT RAM 4sp autos before. Mine will downshift to 1st just before stopping. I wish there was a way to lock out 1st unless towing.

 

[Bug Out]

wyosteve, look up vibration posts by many on the board and one common denominator that I saw was the Aisin transmission. Now I'm not saying the Aisin is the problem because Lord knows I'd give anything to get rid of the 68 RFE. However there is something to be said with respect to the coincidence of vibration posts and the Aisin transmission.

Maybe the larger ring gear, or un balanced drive shaft/shorter or longer etc etc or something along those lines. Thousands of $$ in tires swapped out to no avail that I have read yet.

I will be buying one myself soon hopefully on a 16'.

FYI, Bob is a full time Dodge /Ram mechanic. I'm certain he has info that can't be divulged, but only eluded too.

 

[Ram4Sam]

wyosteve, look up vibration posts by many on the board and one common denominator that I saw was the Aisin transmission. Now I'm not saying the Aisin is the problem because Lord knows I'd give anything to get rid of the 68 RFE. However there is something to be said with respect to the coincidence of vibration posts and the Aisin transmission.

Maybe the larger ring gear, or un balanced drive shaft/shorter or longer etc etc or something along those lines. Thousands of $$ in tires swapped out to no avail that I have read yet.

I will be buying one myself soon hopefully on a 16'.

FYI, Bob is a full time Dodge /Ram mechanic. I'm certain he has info that can't be divulged, but only eluded too.

It also seems, based on what I have read, is that most of the vibration issues are with the dually trucks......while things can obviously change, my SRW is vibration free for now up to 90 mph.

Sam

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks for all the insight and suggestions. I won't pull the trigger on a new one until FCA tells me what they are willing to give for the 2012, which has been a good truck. I haven't even driven a truck with the Aisin, so that will give me something to do between now and whenever I hear from FCA.

 

[MJWenrich]

I recently posted an update on the dead pedal after installing the BD Diesel upgrade. Had not towed with it until this week. I just came back with a car trailer and loaded truck. The torque management off the line is still fantastic with the load and for the first time I could experience the full power of the truck. But....I still have the dead pedal issue in the 4-6 gears, just as before. So stop light to stop light it was really an improvement. I believe the programming of the Aison trans is the issue but how would you ever convince anyone at Ram of that and actually get it addressed. Like the trans otherwise and no vibration or shudder issues. At least to this point. I am now not afraid to pull out into traffic from a stop whether heavily laden or not.

 

[Bug Out]

wyosteve, for better or worse, the only way I can describe the difference between a 68 RFE and Aisin,(Which I drove at Colorado Springs Dodge) is a over weight women sliding around-68 RFE_ trying to find her place,vs a Athletic women who hits the gear on time every time, and firm, leaving you wanting more......No offense to over weight gals of course.....

 

[Cummins12V98]

The Aisin acts like a "built" auto. I would like to lockout 1st gear unless towing.

 

[DThibault]

I had an issue this spring with my new 15 with Aisin. At about three thousand miles I took a trip up into northern Vermont and New Hampshire to pick up some things for the farm. About 100 miles from home cruising at 70 plus the truck went into limp mode. Limp we did into the dealership in Lebanon NH and the great service immediately put the truck on the lift to see if they could get us going again. Then the mechanic came out and said no way, "you have green death." Seems over the winter, driving in the salted roads here, the road grime had penetrated the wiring harness of the Aisin and corroded a few of the pins. They rented us a car and we were on our way but it was over a week to get the truck back. They had to order the harness from someplace and actually raise the cab to replace it. All has been well since and the dealership was great but it made for a long and trying day. Something to watch for when driving on treated roads.

 

[Newsa]

I had an issue this spring with my new 15 with Aisin. At about three thousand miles I took a trip up into northern Vermont and New Hampshire to pick up some things for the farm. About 100 miles from home cruising at 70 plus the truck went into limp mode. Limp we did into the dealership in Lebanon NH and the great service immediately put the truck on the lift to see if they could get us going again. Then the mechanic came out and said no way, "you have green death." Seems over the winter, driving in the salted roads here, the road grime had penetrated the wiring harness of the Aisin and corroded a few of the pins. They rented us a car and we were on our way but it was over a week to get the truck back. They had to order the harness from someplace and actually raise the cab to replace it. All has been well since and the dealership was great but it made for a long and trying day. Something to watch for when driving on treated roads.

Sounds like an extended warranty may pay for itself if you do winter driving on deiced roads.

 

[HorseMan-AR]

Hey guys, just wanted to ask a question and report something about my Aisin transmission. First, what's everyone's Aisin transmission temp running when traveling empty (at normal operating temps). I can't seem to get mine off 163 degrees.

Anyhow, made a road trip this weekend (about 70 miles). It was hot...maybe 98 degrees at hottest point with a heat index of 106 I think. On highway portion of trip (60 miles or so), it was pegged at 163-165 the entire trip. Same in return trip home. On first leg of trip, when I got off the interstate and started the stop and go traffic portion of leg, I noticed the transmission temp spiked to 180-184. I thought it odd, and at stops, I'd shift into neutral. That didn't seem to lower temps at all. I ran around town a bit and temps stayed about 180. Never could get it back down. Finally arrived at destination and let her idle about 3 minutes. At shutdown, transmission temp was 183. 45 minutes or so later, jumped in and went for another leg. It was in town and stop and go. Temps settled back to 163-165 for rest of in town trips...made several stops.

Anyways, came home a few hours later and outside temp had dropped a good bit...sun had gone down. 163 degrees again all the way home. About an hour and 15 minutes.

I thought the temp spike was odd, but on my large screen display, the gauge showed 180 or so within the normal temp range.

Any ideas? Something to worry about?

This morning, I went for a spin and checked transmission fluid at normal temps. Temp was 163 degrees when I checked it. Checked fluid in park and neutral on level ground, and level was spot on. Fluid still fresh pink color, smelled OK and still had a very lubricity feel...if that's a word.

When towing fiver, seems like my transmission temps settle in around 173 or so. Why so hot when I left interstate and drove around in town...when empty and not towing a thing? Just a fluke? Just a hot day maybe?

Thoughts?

 

[Mingoglia]

Hey guys, just wanted to ask a question and report something about my Aisin transmission. First, what's everyone's Aisin transmission temp running when traveling empty (at normal operating temps). I can't seem to get mine off 163 degrees.

Anyhow, made a road trip this weekend (about 70 miles). It was hot...maybe 98 degrees at hottest point with a heat index of 106 I think. On highway portion of trip (60 miles or so), it was pegged at 163-165 the entire trip. Same in return trip home. On first leg of trip, when I got off the interstate and started the stop and go traffic portion of leg, I noticed the transmission temp spiked to 180-184. I thought it odd, and at stops, I'd shift into neutral. That didn't seem to lower temps at all. I ran around town a bit and temps stayed about 180. Never could get it back down. Finally arrived at destination and let her idle about 3 minutes. At shutdown, transmission temp was 183. 45 minutes or so later, jumped in and went for another leg. It was in town and stop and go. Temps settled back to 163-165 for rest of in town trips...made several stops.

Anyways, came home a few hours later and outside temp had dropped a good bit...sun had gone down. 163 degrees again all the way home. About an hour and 15 minutes.

I thought the temp spike was odd, but on my large screen display, the gauge showed 180 or so within the normal temp range.

Any ideas? Something to worry about?

This morning, I went for a spin and checked transmission fluid at normal temps. Temp was 163 degrees when I checked it. Checked fluid in park and neutral on level ground, and level was spot on. Fluid still fresh pink color, smelled OK and still had a very lubricity feel...if that's a word.

When towing fiver, seems like my transmission temps settle in around 173 or so. Why so hot when I left interstate and drove around in town...when empty and not towing a thing? Just a fluke? Just a hot day maybe?

Thoughts?

Perfectly normal, and exactly the same temps I show, 163-165, and slightly higher when around town, particularly when loaded a bit. The best way explained to me of a auto coming up to speed is two fans pointed at each other. One running, the other not running. Point the running one at the other and it will start to spin the not running one. When they both get spinning the same speed, the transmission "locks up". During the phase where they're running at different speeds there's more friction which generates more heat. Since when you're on the highway it's "locked up", and therefore out of the phase where it generates more heat (such as starting and stopping), it stays running cooler.

Ironically I just got back from picking up a loaded Uhaul pod after my move to GA. My truck is loaded to about 11,000lbs (I'm loaded in the back), and the trailer was about 4,000. I happened to notice when I pulled into my driveway after city driving that I was at 183 degress...pretty much identical to your story....and every other time I'm stuck at 163 exactly. Your truck/transmission are running perfectly normal.

Mike

 

[Cummins12V98]

All very normal. Neutral does not matter like it did with the 4 speed auto's.

5 miles into a long 5% grade, Vantage Pass/Grade heading West climbing from the Columbia River along I-90. They really have the trans cooling down on these new trucks! 32,500# combined load.

 

[sag2]

It gets warmer when in town because the torque converter is slipping much of the time. Slippage means heat. And notice I sad warmer, because trans fluid under 200 degrees is just warm, not hot. You have nothing at all to be concerned about.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Perfectly normal, and exactly the same temps I show, 163-165, and slightly higher when around town, particularly when loaded a bit. The best way explained to me of a auto coming up to speed is two fans pointed at each other. One running, the other not running. Point the running one at the other and it will start to spin the not running one. When they both get spinning the same speed, the transmission "locks up". During the phase where they're running at different speeds there's more friction which generates more heat. Since when you're on the highway it's "locked up", and therefore out of the phase where it generates more heat (such as starting and stopping), it stays running cooler.
Mike

Taking the two fans model further, when stopped at a traffic light, one of the fans is spinning while the other fan is locked from moving. Inside the torque converter the driving side is spinning at engine idle speed whole the driven side is not spinning since the driver has his foot on the brake with the transmission in gear which generates heat (oil shear)inside the torque converter rapidly. If the transmission is shifted to Neutral, both sides of the torque converter, driving and driven, are spinning at practically the same speed (very little oil shear) producing little heat.

Bill

 

[Bug Out]

I could only dream of mine to stay that cool. But I have the 68 RFE. Actually mine does run,when empty anywhere from 165-180. Towing, well all the way to 230 so far.. This coming labor day weekend,on my way to the campground 125 miles away, I will be running at MGCVWR. I'm expecting bells and whistles and chimes from the dash,CEL's etc if my last trip at 3/4 MGCVWR is any indication of how this heathen runs.LOL

I made sure that my Good Sam ERS is paid up too!!