My New 2019

[TFucili]

Had the trans TSB performed this morning. It seems to have improved some of the laggy behavior, but it failed the 2-1 slam shift on my driveway. I will further evaluate in my normal routine, plus I will be making a couple runs to Flagstaff over the next several days, and will see if anything changes with additional miles. But as of now my main reason for the TSB, and the first item called out in their description, is a FAIL.

 

[Wayne M.]

TF, if they did flash it, it’ll probably have to relearn strategy. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll get away from the slam.

 

[SnoKing]

TF, if they did flash it, it’ll probably have to relearn strategy. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll get away from the slam.

There is a BIG question about Aisin learning or not learning much!

 

[TFucili]

TF, if they did flash it, it’ll probably have to relearn strategy. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll get away from the slam.

I hope so, but the last time the original dealer put it in re-learn, and told me it could take up to 1K miles, it didn't make a lick of difference. We shall see.

 

[RVTRKN]

Can't you just put your trans in 1st gear only, so you don't get the slam?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Can't you just put your trans in 1st gear only, so you don't get the slam?

now don’t be putting common sense into this.

 

[TFucili]

Sure, but why can't they make a trans in an 80K truck that works correctly?! It is an automatic after all. My buddy's duramax/allison goes up my driveway without this nonsense, as does another's with a Ferd. Heck, the 66RFE in my gasser was not baffled by something so simple as a downshift at <5 mph. My old '05 CTD 48RE had the 1-2-1-2 shuttle shift issue, but even it was smart enough to make it to my garage without this BS.

I have no doubt that the Aisin is a darn durable unit. That's why I bought it, but whether it's an Aisin issue, or Ram's inability to program it, the operation leaves much to be desired, and I have driven trucks my whole life. The fact that a service bulletin was issued means there are plenty of owners not pleased with the operation, and I have seen others on other forums with the same general complaint.

 

[RVTRKN]

I believe Aisin is in control and Ram can't change any programing. Regardless of the shifting issue, if you know how to remedy the shifting issue, then you do what you gotta do. I haven't experianced what your talking about, so I can't comment on that, but if you can shift the trans to 1st and lock out any other gear, why not. I believe the 68rfe is flawed with the shifting strategy, at least the one I drove for 30K+ miles and a 3:42 rear diff, and Ram has total control.

 

[gsbrockman]

Sure, but why can't they make a trans in an 80K truck that works correctly?! It is an automatic after all. My buddy's duramax/allison goes up my driveway without this nonsense, as does another's with a Ferd. Heck, the 66RFE in my gasser was not baffled by something so simple as a downshift at <5 mph. My old '05 CTD 48RE had the 1-2-1-2 shuttle shift issue, but even it was smart enough to make it to my garage without this BS.

I have no doubt that the Aisin is a darn durable unit. That's why I bought it, but whether it's an Aisin issue, or Ram's inability to program it, the operation leaves much to be desired, and I have driven trucks my whole life. The fact that a service bulletin was issued means there are plenty of owners not pleased with the operation, and I have seen others on other forums with the same general complaint.

Tom.....I owned a first year 3500 pickup (2013) with the AS69RC and 3.73 “compromise” gearing, as well as a 2014 3500 and my current 2018. I never experienced the harsh 2>1 downshift, on the ‘13 or ‘14, but I had a friend with a 2013 with 4.10’s and it would harshly (occasionally) downshift if one got on the brakes a tad harder or needed to decelerate a little more so than usual.

As to my 2018 4500.....it has done it on occasion.....but only when I’ve had to “bow it up” for a quick stoplight or animal in the road.

Is there any commonality with your issue more so with 2019 4.10 trucks....or are the complaints split almost evenly between 2019 3.73’s as well?

 

[Wayne M.]

I think GS nailed it. It could very well be the 4.10’s. The leverage that gear set provides just might cause less load in that trans and brings out this behavior. Kinda like how an auto trans behaves totally different when a truck is in 4 lo than when in hi range. The drivetrain leverage on the transmission is way different. It’s an an exaggeration but I think it makes my point.
Tom, if it were me, my quest would be to bring another 2019 4.10 truck to your hill.

 

[TFucili]

Tom.....I owned a first year 3500 pickup (2013) with the AS69RC and 3.73 “compromise” gearing, as well as a 2014 3500 and my current 2018. I never experienced the harsh 2>1 downshift, on the ‘13 or ‘14, but I had a friend with a 2013 with 4.10’s and it would harshly (occasionally) downshift if one got on the brakes a tad harder or needed to decelerate a little more so than usual.

As to my 2018 4500.....it has done it on occasion.....but only when I’ve had to “bow it up” for a quick stoplight or animal in the road.

Is there any commonality with your issue more so with 2019 4.10 trucks....or are the complaints split almost evenly between 2019 3.73’s as well?

My buddy has a 2019 3500 SRW and it does the exact same thing with 3.73 gears. This is not when on the brakes in this particular circumstance. I roll onto our lane and trundle along in second, make a 90 degree right onto my drive, coast downhill a bit still in second, roll onto the uphill portion and when it gets to where it lugs enough in second it will hesitate, rpms flare, and then it gives the slam into first. No brakes.

 

[SnoKing]

My buddy has a 2019 3500 SRW and it does the exact same thing with 3.73 gears. This is not when on the brakes in this particular circumstance. I roll onto our lane and trundle along in second, make a 90 degree right onto my drive, coast downhill a bit still in second, roll onto the uphill portion and when it gets to where it lugs enough in second it will hesitate, rpms flare, and then it gives the slam into first. No brakes.

TTH = Take a Tech Home! Sounds like you need to get the tech to go for a ride to your house!

 

[TFucili]

TTH = Take a Tech Home! Sounds like you need to get the tech to go for a ride to your house!

I tried desperately with the local dealer where I purchased the truck to have a tech ride with me. I live about seven minutes from them. They steadfastly refused to do a ride-along. I am now dealing with a dealer 1.5 hours away, and I know they will be willing to do a ride-along, but I will have to find a place where I can duplicate it safely, without traffic whizzing by. I was originally going to buy it there because they have a better service dept, but opted to stay local.

 

[TFucili]

Tom, if it were me, my quest would be to bring another 2019 4.10 truck to your hill.

I would definitely give that a try if I run across one. I am pretty confident it would be the same. When my wife and I went to an open house at an RV dealer in the valley a couple weeks ago, I ran into a guy with a 2019 CTD dually max-tow, and after I got done salivating over his New Horizons toy hauler I asked him about his experience with the truck, and he volunteered that he had complained about the slam shift, and his dealer blew him off. Some owners don't bother to pursue it, and some/many/most dealers blow it off, so I suspect it is under-reported. Nevertheless, the fact that this TSB appeared makes me hope they might take another crack at it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Maybe it's been asked but are you running TowHaul when this happens? Or does it do it both on or off?

 

[TFucili]

Maybe it's been asked but are you running TowHaul when this happens? Or does it do it both on or off?

I do not run Tow/Haul when empty. It is much too aggressive in this configuration unless loaded/pulling heavy enough to make sense.

 

[RVTRKN]

Tow Haul with EB on is where I draw the line, but TH without EB works great.

 

[Cummins2014]

I do not run Tow/Haul when empty. It is much too aggressive in this configuration unless loaded/pulling heavy enough to make sense.

Although I have 3:42 gears , I have TH, and EB on all the time, but its a older truck, different transmission etc. But with 3:42 gears TH holds the 4th gear around town, just feels like its lugging in fifth gear at 40 mph otherwise.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Tow Haul with EB on is where I draw the line, but TH without EB works great.

I was asking TH only. Add EB and it is aggressive.

TFucilli have you tried TH only?

 

[TFucili]

Yes, I did, early on. I am fairly sure I had tried it both with and without EB, but not 100% on that. I will try it again, especially now after the re-flash.