Transmission lurching when cold while in gear

[Rljones1961]

My 2011 just passed the 100k mark. It recently turned cold down south and my truck almost rear-ended a car today. I had started the truck (transmission was at 38 degrees) and was driving down the street. I stopped behind a car and suddenly the truck lurched forward, almost like it was being put into gear. I stomped the brake pedal further to stop the truck and it almost stalled. I slipped up to neutral and continued my trip. For the last 2 weeks the truck repeats this performance when the trans temp is below 50 degrees. Once above 50 degrees or if it never gets that low, no issue. Had 268K on my 2004 automatic trans and never had this issue. This truck is a 4X4 but not sure that would be a cause?? I'm thinking it's a switch sending a signal to the transmission? Any further ideas from the Nation of TDR before I take to dealer and get told I need a new transmission??

 

[Rljones1961]

I have it in Dealership now and before they even looked at it they claim it's the convertor. I asked that they wait till morning after temp drops in pan below 50 degrees. Tech claims he has seen about 15 of these in this year truck??? TDR Nation, have you any symptons in your 2011 Ram 3500 4X4's that match these??

 

[cerberusiam]

Sounds like a typical OE converter failure. In 6 years they still have not fixed that particular problem. Go figure.

 

[1972JohnBoy]

I have it in Dealership now and before they even looked at it they claim it's the convertor. I asked that they wait till morning after temp drops in pan below 50 degrees. Tech claims he has seen about 15 of these in this year truck??? TDR Nation, have you any symptons in your 2011 Ram 3500 4X4's that match these??

A few weeks ago I persuaded a good friend's son (both are die-hard ford owners) to convert to a Dodge. He found a 2010 Big Horn quad, 4wd, egr deleted, leveled, Bilsteins, rear air bags, Rhino lined bed, new tires, 80,000 mi. and in pristine condition. Silver color. I took him to Louisville Ky. about 4 hrs. from home to buy it. He called me this morning to tell me it tried to run through a stoplight very similar sounding to Rljones experience. He also said he got in it later on and it wouldn't move and he had to rev the engine to get it to hook up. I have never heard of anything like this. I will post more details about it after I see him and the truck this weekend, hoping to get some good advice from cerberusiam. Man I hope it is not what was speculated by cerberusiam. If it is bad I will never live this down.

 

[DonFitzwater]

A few weeks ago I persuaded a good friend's son (both are die-hard ford owners) to convert to a Dodge. He found a 2010 Big Horn quad, 4wd, egr deleted, leveled, Bilsteins, rear air bags, Rhino lined bed, new tires, 80,000 mi. and in pristine condition. Silver color. I took him to Louisville Ky. about 4 hrs. from home to buy it. He called me this morning to tell me it tried to run through a stoplight very similar sounding to Rljones experience. He also said he got in it later on and it wouldn't move and he had to rev the engine to get it to hook up. I have never heard of anything like this. I will post more details about it after I see him and the truck this weekend, hoping to get some good advice from cerberusiam. Man I hope it is not what was speculated by cerberusiam. If it is bad I will never live this down.

Well at least you saved them from the crap-storm that is Powerstroke.

 

[Rljones1961]

Finally got all symptons fixed.



Took down the old transmission and the torque convertor was shot, valve body was shot. I kept that truck stock from day one and towed a 40ft Jayco about 60% of the time. The transmission control module is putting that truck into OD way too soon (IMO). The TQ just can't handle the power the 6. 7 produces. I suspect more issues will come out on this transmission as the miles pile up in TDR nation. Front timing seal gasket is leaking. Cummins shop refused to work on it because of the "agreement" to allow Dodge work for the first 5 years of production. Cummins Manager did tell me that he has seen quite a few come in with that leak. My Dodge dealer fixed for about $200. 00 and it still leaks. Looking for another dealer to try and repair again.



Even with the issues I will hang on to my silver lemon. My old 2004 provided me with 250K miles of trouble free driving. I did rebuild current transmission and added beefed up parts for my towing requirements. Installed the H&S XRT Pro with shift upgrade. Left it in the stock setting for power and all I can say is WOW. The shift work H&S has done turns this truck into a driving pleasure. No more "overdrive at 45" as I called it. Truck shifts correctly and never boggs down as with old transmission. Stinks having to do work on a 2011 truck with just over 100K, but last 15K have kept me smiling again.



Looking forward to my 200K Cummins high mileage badge by late 2014. See all on the road in TDR nation...

 

[Cummins12V98]

If you used TH mode it probably would not have gone into 6th at 45. At least that is the way mine works.