transmission questions--hard shift and gear hunting

[TShores]

I'm approacing my 36k mark on my 04. 5 SRW 2500. Probably half of the miles have been towing a 8-9k lbs toy hauler.



For most of it's life, the truck shifts quite hard from third to fourth when towing. It is a shift you feel, a dramatic harsh shift. If I ease up on the fuel just before shift, that helps. Is this normal?



Also, on long, 35-50mph hills towing, the transmission hunts between gears. It will climb to the 2500rpm range, downshift, bog down, up shift, climb to 2500 and repeat. It only seems to do this when towing and only on long ascents where the transmission temp conceivable would be hotter. It does it both in tow/haul mode and not.



Do either of these sound normal? I want to get some feedback before I head in to the dealer...



Thanks for any help.



Tom

 

[WDP]

I have had similar problems with the auto transmission on my 2004 SRW 4X4 3500. Only, my transmission would hunt gears between 1st and 2nd gear at around 10 mph. If I was stepping on it, no problem, but light to normal acceleration it took 2-4 times before it would set into 2nd gear. Took it to my local Dodge dealer and they replace the valve body, and seemed to have fixed the prob. 1 Week later same problem. Took it back, they set the pinion factor for my 35" tires. Pulled out of the dealership, and the problem was worse than ever. Took it back for a 3rd try, and they gave it a home for 2 weeks and finally gave up and said that they were going to replace the whole transmission. Dodge denied their request to replace the transmission, and sent a tech down to check it out. 1 Week later they called and said that the problem was internal in the transmission, but it was fixed now. They claimed that a hydrolic seal in the transmission was leaking fluid in the shift causing a fluxuation in pressure bla bla bla.



Been 2 months now, and seems to be doing fine.



Your problem seems different, but it could be the same thing I guess, just a different gear.

 

[BMemmott]

I also have the same problem, My truck always shifted hard into 4th since I bought it. But now when towing on a hot day it will slam into 3rd and bark the turbo.

 

[Pilotman]

Hard shifts............

I have been having the same issue with my truck when towing steep and slow. When the transmission goes to shift to 3rd, it would just about break my neck. Cant be good for the drive train at all! I hate to take anything I own to the dealer for fear of more things messed up.

 

[cerberusiam]

I'm approacing my 36k mark on my 04. 5 SRW 2500. Probably half of the miles have been towing a 8-9k lbs toy hauler.



For most of it's life, the truck shifts quite hard from third to fourth when towing. It is a shift you feel, a dramatic harsh shift. If I ease up on the fuel just before shift, that helps. Is this normal?



Also, on long, 35-50mph hills towing, the transmission hunts between gears. It will climb to the 2500rpm range, downshift, bog down, up shift, climb to 2500 and repeat. It only seems to do this when towing and only on long ascents where the transmission temp conceivable would be hotter. It does it both in tow/haul mode and not.



Do either of these sound normal? I want to get some feedback before I head in to the dealer...



Thanks for any help.



Tom

Well, define the difference between firm and harsh? Under load and throttle the shift to OD will be noticeable and firm but should not be so hard it knocks dust of the head liner. Then the TC should lock with a softer feel but not so bad it shakes things or barks the turbo.



Your second question is prefectly normal if you are leaving the trans in drive and let it find the gears. At that low of speed the pressures are low enough the trans is trying to react behind the curve. Anything under 40 mph you should manually shift to 2nd to get the r's and pressures up.



Be careful about complaining about firm shifts. The usual response is to soften the shift which won't do your trans any good. 'Course if its warranty then its their problemotherwise it could be yours.

 

[Pilotman]

To answer your question... . the shift I was getting when climbing a steep grade in second and the trans shifting to 3rd was a break neck startling issue.