Auto transmission shift issue

[rncordy]

The truck has about 48,000 miles on the clock. The following seemed to start at around 40,000 miles.



Here is the story: I am getting a "Jerk-Clunk" shift from 3rd to 4th, and maybe 4th to 5th. Dealer tech feels and hears it but says there is no fix, he has to wait for a control module update from Dodge. The tech says the problem is that the transmission is shifting and going into lock-up at the same time.



This is driving me crazy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[RonD]

I would try another Dealer and get a second opinion, say nothing that it has been to Dealer one, and see what they say, doesn't sound right to me, sometimes a failed trans that has to be overhauled is a good thing when it's under warranty

 

[rncordy]

RonD,



Thanks, I agree but would not the 2nd dealer automatically access all the truck's dealer service records via their computer system? When I called Ram customer service, they had the service records in front of them, immediately.



Bob

 

[sag2]

Have them do a quick learn and see if it changes. Also look at the CVI's and they can immediately tell if anything is wearing out without pulling it down.

 

[rncordy]

Sag2,



Thanks, but please help me out, what is a "quick learn" and what are "CVI's"?



"Slow learn" Bob

 

[sag2]

This is the layman definition.



Quick learn resets all the engagement and shift points, and zero's out the CVI's (not really zero, but baseline).

CVI's are a theoretical clutch fill time (Clutch Volume Index) that indicates to the controller how much clearance is in the clutch, and how long the clutch takes to apply (stop the rotating part).

 

[rncordy]

sag2,



Many thanks and just in the nick of time. I have an appointment tomorrow at the second dealer...



I'll post what they tell me.

 

[rncordy]

sag2,



Many thanks and just in the nick of time. I have an appointment tomorrow at the second dealer...



I'll post what they tell me.

Well I failed to post the results of the 2nd dealer opinion. I was reminded when I read my tale of woe in TDR Issue 78.



The second dealer confirmed my symptoms but had no specific solution. They said they did the "quick learn" and CVI thing but that was "all ok". They recommended that I leave the truck with them (for a week or so!) while they took the transmission apart and "looked" for the problem! I declined being leery of this approach to problem solution. (Generally speaking I am not keen on "exploratory surgery"!



I also have had the RAM customer support desk involved and they were willing to authorize the second dealer to do the tear down but I am still unwilling to do that even though the problem persists. The truck now has 54,000 miles on it.



My plan is to wait until perhaps 90,000 miles (still under warrantee) and then decide what to do if it has not gotten a lot worse before then.



This clunk and jerk transmission shift I experience on every 3rd to 4th gear shift (normal acceleration shifting at 30-35mph) is very annoying and I am still anxious to find a solution. Any new suggestions are more than welcome!



Thanks!

 

[rncordy]

Just an update on my transmission shift issue. The truck has 65,000 miles on it and the shift issue persists. I had hoped that if it didn't fix itself it would get worse. But the shift jerk-clunk it about the same. Very annoying! I sure would appreciate any additional suggestions. Thanks!

 

[transe]

It sounds (from your original post) like this may be "normal" shifting (3-4 upshift followed by TCC engagement), especially since a quicklearn didn't improve the situation.



Have you been driving in Tow/Haul mode? That should delay the 3-4 upshift, although I'm not sure how (or if) it affects the TCC engagement timing (versus the shift point). But if you don't normally use Tow/Haul, you might give it a try and see if it seems better to you. If so, you can drive it in Tow/Haul mode all the time if you want; it will not hurt anything.



You might also check into some of the aftermarket "trans tuners" that alter the trans shift pattern and/or firmness. However, since most "tuners" make the shifts much firmer, they may actually make things worse (from your perspective).

 

[rncordy]

It sounds (from your original post) like this may be "normal" shifting (3-4 upshift followed by TCC engagement), especially since a quicklearn didn't improve the situation.



Have you been driving in Tow/Haul mode? That should delay the 3-4 upshift, although I'm not sure how (or if) it affects the TCC engagement timing (versus the shift point). But if you don't normally use Tow/Haul, you might give it a try and see if it seems better to you. If so, you can drive it in Tow/Haul mode all the time if you want; it will not hurt anything.



You might also check into some of the aftermarket "trans tuners" that alter the trans shift pattern and/or firmness. However, since most "tuners" make the shifts much firmer, they may actually make things worse (from your perspective).

Thanks for your help! Same problem in Tow/Haul mode except when actually pulling our trailer, it seems to be not as noticeable.