Input needed from 06 48RE owners

[sag2]

If you have an 06 auto, put it in manual second and accelerate from about 25 to 45 mph. As soon as the converter locks up, do you have a slight shudder from about 30 to 40? It feels like the lock up solenoid is modulating the clutch like the front wheel drive cars do. Must be a change to 06 for the exhaust brake. Nothing to worry about, just different. Some appear to be more pronounced than others. Once it is fully locked (about 2-3 seconds) if you slow down keeping the converter locked and do it again it does not shudder. Probably has something to do with the high torque load in second. Don't recall my last two trucks doing it and there are significant changes to the software for the brake in 06.

 

[Tmartin000]

Absolutely!!

That's why my transmission is being replaced next month! (Fishing season right now) These auto's are crap---the TQ anyway! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My dealer is on his 6Th one in 6months. Everyone complains about the same thing. Slipping in 2ND L/U. Trust me ..... it ain't no pulsing---it's slipping and grinding. The 2ND L/U kills em. Especially if you tow and accend a hill and lay into it to get up that hill. Man, I've been complaining to everyone about this very same issue. It's hillarious that someone else FINALLY brings up the same thing. Other people on the issue thought I was nutts.

Mark my words... ... 2ND L/U will kill the TQ's.

I asked him (dealer) would he rather replace the TQ or the transmission. Ne said due to debris likely floating around, (as a result of a balooning-out transmission housing, just do the whole transmission exchange. A transmission specialists in my area told me what is happening is simple. The rear of the transmission in bulging out and the entire TQ surface area is not taking the load. I guess it's only the outter edges. As a result, that pulsing is slipping. Anyway, I'm sure others will chime in. I am gonna let the dealer put the new transmission in. Then go and do a new TQ and VB upgrade and be done with it.

Tom

 

[cerberusiam]

Nope, lockup in 2nd is smooth and positive. Even after 80k, lots of towing, and Smarty, the lockup is good.



Lockup in 2nd manual is a lot easier on the trans than in drive or OD. Aside from the sloppines, the TC's are pretty good when used within their limits. If they are dying something external is the usual culprit.

 

[tgrfan2]

Nope, lockup in 2nd is smooth and positive. Even after 80k, lots of towing, and Smarty, the lockup is good.

Lockup in 2nd manual is a lot easier on the trans than in drive or OD. Aside from the sloppines, the TC's are pretty good when used within their limits. If they are dying something external is the usual culprit.

I have complained about mine since new. I changed the fluid and filter myself at 30K. Nothing more than normal "fuzz" on the magnet. Actually cleaner than I expected.
Took it back Thursday at 35K for one more try at shifting problems. They "found" TSB #21-009-07 and replaced trans pressure solenoid assembly.
I didn't get to test it yesterday, but it seemed to be shifting better on upshifts.
Some people just love to trash the Dodge trannies. Having 243K on a 95 with a #6 plate and transmission still OE, getting 185K out of a 98 towing 13K+ with a #6 plate, and 110K out of a 2000 I don't see it as a design problem. Stuff happens and then some people just have a knack for tearing up stuff!

 

[Tmartin000]

I only trash a transmission that grinds for however long you accelerate pulling 5000lbs up hill when it goes into L/U in 2ND gear! As soon as you apply pressure like there's an egg between your foot and the accelerator, it stops...

Thanks for your vote of confidence...

 

[tgrfan2]

I only trash a transmission that grinds for however long you accelerate pulling 5000lbs up hill when it goes into L/U in 2ND gear! As soon as you apply pressure like there's an egg between your foot and the accelerator, it stops...



Thanks for your vote of confidence...

Gee! Did I step on your toes? If the transmission is "grinding" it shouldn't take long before you find out what is wrong.

The biggest problem I see with the transmissions is that the dealers don't have anyone truly qualified to diagnose and work on them anymore. A friend is a GM tech. He tells me when they have a problem with the A1000, they replace it too. They do have problems even with all the "power management" features of the A1000.

I am sure even the after market transmission gurus have a problem crop up every once in a while.

 

[Tmartin000]

I would agree with the dealers just replacing in lieu of fixing... . I just wanted you to know that I am on my 3RD Dodge/Cummins. (I love my trucks--that's why I keep buying them) The second with an auto. I really am having problems. The dealer is really replacing transmission's... (including mine)

One thing about some internet forum sites is that some of them are a mutual admiration society. Which means that no one is allowed to post something bad about (whatever the site forum is about) and then there is no real feedback. So, it's not that you stepped on my toes, it's just that people that have the same problem with their 48RE need to know what to do.

Tom

 

[JKeith]

I have towed over 16k pounds, for half of the 30k on my 06, 48re, and have not had a problem. Hope your problem is found and taken care of.

 

[DougL]

The U-joints in six speed do the same thing in the first three gears.

 

[sag2]

I am not talking about a "grinding", just what feels like a partial lock up shudder. The reason I believe it is modulating the converter like the cars do is it stops after several seconds, and does not shudder again if you keep it locked up. It also never occurs in drive as it does not lock up in drive in second gear. If you are tearing up transmissions, especially multiple units I would say leave it in drive. Why cause yourself the aggravation of having the truck down for repairs if you don't have to.

I only trash a transmission that grinds for however long you accelerate pulling 5000lbs up hill when it goes into L/U in 2ND gear! As soon as you apply pressure like there's an egg between your foot and the accelerator, it stops...



Thanks for your vote of confidence...

 

[Tmartin000]

Well I guess we are talking about two different scenarios. Mine grinds, yours shudders.

Secondly, I don't know why people on the forum act like those of us with troubled transmission's are idiots. It just means some of you got good transmission's and some of us didn't. I obviously don't do it (tear up a transmission) on purpose. The problem here is simple. If I don't keep my foot in it, I don't go up. That means means when I take my foot out of it. I slow down to a crawl. So the next time you drive a highway and you want to slow to 10mph accending a 55mph road, we'll see if you tow with your $46,000 truck. Sorry for bringing to light that there are problems with the 48RE transmission...

Man, I give up... ... I WISH my problem was a shuddering modulating gizmo.

 

[sag2]

I'm not trying to ignore you might have a problem, just saying if you put it in drive it does not lock up in 2nd. Then mash (or keep it mashed in your case)the pedal and forget about it.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Mine shifts and locks up great, even with the ez on 3. I don't tow too much big stuff with it but on occassion I've towed a 30' offshore boat that weighs about 12000lbs and it does great... ... ... much better than my old 47re in my 97. I know several folks at the local GM shop and they all have problems with transmissions, no matter what brand. I know of very few people here in my area that have had problems with stock trucks and there transmissions, however, more often than not people with modified engines are needing a little transmission work? Just like Dad always told me, "Stock is good son". But then again, what does he know about diesels!?!:-laf

 

[Tmartin000]

Just yesterday I was accending a 16% grade hill in 2ND L/U (shift lever in 2) and I was maybe going 28-30. (bone stock & empty) I started smelling burning transmission fluid. I was not even throttling hard! So, that means I am definetly experiencing some sort of catastophic failure---you know, the one the dealer warned me about! So, there you are guys. I went to a rolling stop, and put went into normal drive. Accended the hill at 15mph. Bone stock truck with 19,227 miles. Sure is nice being beeped at.....

 

[DonFitzwater]

So what's your dealers story? Are they going to drop a new one in it? Make sure it's fried and you'll get a new one for sure. They are required to do analysis prior to replacement and if it is more financially beneficial to DC to replace vs repair you'll get a new one. With labor and parts figured it is very hard for a dealer to repair vs replace your transmission. I'm sure once your dealer gets your issue squared away you should be happy with your truck. I hope!

 

[GHollmer]

26,000 miles, bone stock, pulling 5er (11,000 lbs) no problem on 7% grades maintaining 55 mph. I use the egg technique.