Question About Exhaust Brake

[RamDriver]

I just bought a 2013 2500 with 20k miles. I'm having similar issues with my exhaust brake. The owner's manual says it will come on and stay on all the way down to 5 mph, in normal mode, with your foot off the throttle. If I'm going less than 55, light throttle, it won't come on unless I downshift manually or use tow mode. If I get on the throttle, the torque converter locks around 60mph, and the eb works, but cuts out when the transmission downshifts. In tow mode, it might stay on as low as 35, at best. Reading the forums, it seems that people started reporting this issue after dealership service with a reprogram. Certainly seems to be a programming issue. It should be that the torque converter locks more readily if the exhaust brake is switched on, so the thing will actually work.

 

[Newsa]

In the 2012, and a lot of other applications, the trigger is 1,000 rpm.

Use the Tow/Haul and the Exhaust Brake and Cruise, but Cruise disengages at 35 mph, so watch the rpms and keep them above 1000.

Mine works down to 1000 rpm and 5-7 mph

 

[RamDriver]

Makes me wish I had the manual transmission. I traded in my '02 24v 5.9 6sp for this pickup. Too bad they derate the motor for the manual transmission. In '02, the manual shift got more power than they gave the automatics. It seems that there's a transmission programming issue with the 68rfe. The torque converter unlocks and there's no exhaust braking.

 

[Steve Martin]

RamDriver...I have learned that the EB works much better if I keep the transmission above 1,000 RPM’s (i.e. shifting down the +/- on shifter) and be in tow/haul. For me, if the transmission hits 1,000 RPM’s the EB goes off and if the tow/haul is activated it seems to come on better. Mine still doesn’t seem to work the best if i’m pulling a trailer down hill and can’t get over 30 MPH. It just won’t active till after hitting 30 MPH, then it will stay on if I don’t drop the RPM below 1,000. Maybe mine needs a reprogram not sure.

Steve

 

[zb39]

I would always manually shift down to 1st or second and keep my rpm around 1600. Keep T/H mode on. This would keep my EB on in my 2011. I had 3.73 gears. 68rfe transmission. That truck is gone now. 2016 here soon.

 

[Cummins12V98]

TH and EB ALL the time!!!

 

[Dogpatch]

TH and EB ALL the time!!!

EXACTLY!!!

Without Tow Haul on, the exhaust brake only comes on above 1100 rpm on my truck. Speed has nothing to do with activation. It's all about back pressure.
When in TH, it keeps you in gears above 1100 rpm and in the 1500 rpm range. Prime EB activation area.

 

[kthaxton]

I use the EB all the time (unless it's slippery), but I only use T/H when I'm towing. I don't find T/H all that useful in daily driving.

 

[RVTRKN]

When I first got the 2014, the EB seem to not want to engage. When I'm on a steep grade I'll paddle shift to 4th with EB on and it works great, if in D it's got a mind of its own. BTW, my EB can come on at any time when I don't have the button pushed, anybody else experiance this.

 

[w6pea]

Interesting thread.
Thanks to all that posted, very informative. These trucks and their computers, you just about need doctorate to own & operate them. LOL#@$%!

 

[Newsa]

When I first got the 2014, the EB seem to not want to engage. When I'm on a steep grade I'll paddle shift to 4th with EB on and it works great, if in D it's got a mind of its own. BTW, my EB can come on at any time when I don't have the button pushed, anybody else experiance this.

The EB comes on when the button is not depressed (in one of the 2 modes)?

Mine doesn't unless it's in an active regen. I think in active regen, the ECM turns on the EB to apply a load. And increases the fuel (and might time fuel injection somewhat differently). This is all happens to create hotter exhaust. I called myself a monkey's uncle once. Might have to do it again, but my niece & nephew won't appreciate that

 

[kmcdonough]

I just bought a 2017 with CTD and I am not sure if my "full" EB is working. It is different from the 2011. It seemed to work the day I bought it, but the last 2 days going to work I tried to use it and nothing. My speed was 30-40 mph, down hill, no accelerator. Does anyone know what the parameters are for the EB to work? Thanks in advance.
Kevin McD.

 

[Dogpatch]

I just bought a 2017 with CTD and I am not sure if my "full" EB is working. It is different from the 2011. It seemed to work the day I bought it, but the last 2 days going to work I tried to use it and nothing. My speed was 30-40 mph, down hill, no accelerator. Does anyone know what the parameters are for the EB to work? Thanks in advance.
Kevin McD.

It has to do with your torque converter and as well RPMs.
if the truck is basically idling down the hill the exhaust brake won't kick in.
Try running in tow haul mode. It'll make a big difference!

 

[Bug Out]

I always had my 68 RFE in 5th around town to take advantage of the EB. Also to keep it from shifting into 6th gear at 30 MPH. I would use 4th gear when towing my 5th around town. Now with the Aisin, I leave it in 6th, and it does what its supposed to do...Much more aggressive ebrake etc.

 

[jhenderson]

I just bought a 2017 with CTD and I am not sure if my "full" EB is working. It is different from the 2011. It seemed to work the day I bought it, but the last 2 days going to work I tried to use it and nothing. My speed was 30-40 mph, down hill, no accelerator. Does anyone know what the parameters are for the EB to work? Thanks in advance.
Kevin McD.

Your torque converter needs to be in lockup and you need approx 1300 rpm for the exhaust brake to activate. My guess is your converter was unlocked under those conditions.

 

[RVTRKN]

I went through that with the 2014 2500 I was driving and it was very annoying. If I was in drive and went down a hill even @ a 4% grade it would not come on at all. but if I used the paddle shifter it would work as advertised, the annoying part was going down hill while in drive. When I was not aware of the down hill, and by the time I got the chance to paddle shift it, I was already at the bottom of the hill. The new EB from your old one has the ability to not run EB unless you hit the brakes (auto) or its on any time your Trans TC is locked while decelerating. It was a learning curve for sure from my 07 C&C. Next time you go down hill, paddle shift it to 4th before the grade and see what happens. You'll get used to it soon enough, but it is annoying at times like you experienced already until you get used to it.

EB in Auto = When you brake only
EB on = When decelerating and TC is locked.

 

[TCollier]

Mine has been 100% consistent for 15k miles so far.

Full EB = Anytime I take my foot off the pedal and RPM is above 1000-1050. It will drop down through the the gears itself too.

Auto EB = Anytime I press the brake or pickup speed going downhill with no foot on the pedal and above 1000-1050 RPM. Does not matter if cruise control or not. As soon as I take my foot off the pedal it will not go above that speed. I could ease the brake to slow down a few more MPH, take foot off brake and it would hold that speed. Drove all over the Smokies and it worked great.

All driving around was without T/H engaged.

 

[Bruce Beard]

Mine works as described by TCollier above.
One thing I've noticed is that it does not work until you have had the engine under boost. So don't expect the exhaust brake to work if you engage it on the way down a hill.
Bruce

 

[kmcdonough]

Thanks for all the info. I just need to use it a little more.

 

[Newsa]

Mine works as described by TCollier above.
One thing I've noticed is that it does not work until you have had the engine under boost. So don't expect the exhaust brake to work if you engage it on the way down a hill.
Bruce

Mine works even if i haven't pushed any boost out of the turbo. But i have the manual transmission. Wondering if it requires the automatics to warm up before engaging?