Young Transmission Issues

[JosephWare]

First of all, this is on a 2007, 5. 9L STOCK truck. Daily driver, minimal towing. The frequency of this issue is getting worse. Started about 20k miles ago, around 45k. Between 45 and 50, she will kick out of overdrive. Also at higher speeds but not nearly as often. Sometimes the trans oil temp light will flash, sometimes the alarm sill beep, sometimes the O/D light will flash. It only happens for a split second then back on with O/D. It is quite an intermittent problem as it will happen a couple times, then not again for a couple days, weeks or even months. Had it in to the dealer for transmission service. Not fixed. She also hunts between 1st and 2nd if driving at about 15 mph. Pack to the dealer on Monday. Any ideas?

 

[BGlidewell]

First of all, this is on a 2007, 5. 9L STOCK truck. Daily driver, minimal towing. The frequency of this issue is getting worse. Started about 20k miles ago, around 45k. Between 45 and 50, she will kick out of overdrive. Also at higher speeds but not nearly as often. Sometimes the trans oil temp light will flash, sometimes the alarm sill beep, sometimes the O/D light will flash. It only happens for a split second then back on with O/D. It is quite an intermittent problem as it will happen a couple times, then not again for a couple days, weeks or even months. Had it in to the dealer for transmission service. Not fixed. She also hunts between 1st and 2nd if driving at about 15 mph. Pack to the dealer on Monday. Any ideas?

the first and second "shuttle shift" is a well known governor pressor solenoid issue. ~70 bucks for the part and can be replaced by removing the pan.

 

[HBarlow]

Strange phantom intermittent problems are very difficult to diagnose because when you take it to a dealer the problem will not repeat itself so there is nothing for a dealer tech to find and identify.

Sometimes a very experienced tech will have seen the problem before and know that some electrical connector was corroded internally or a wire was broken or insulation was rubbed off.

This is one of those problems where you may have to live with it until it fails completely.

It would be helpful for someone who wants to offer helpful information if you reported the odometer mileage and area where you live or the truck is operated.

Trucks operated in areas where humidity is very high or where heavy snows and road salt are used may be more prone to connector corrosion for example.

 

[JosephWare]

Thanks for the input. I have 65,000 on her now. Although the intermittent problem started at about 45,000. I live on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. 2 hours north of Virginia Beach.

 

[cerberusiam]

Dealer find anything specific?

 

[bheiting]

My '07 5. 9L auto has been acting up lately as well. It shifts up fine, but won't kick down once the torque converter is locked up, as needed for passing. Haven't noticed any heat issues. Mine only has 30k on the clock, and is used mainly for carrying a 1200 lb Four Wheel Camper. It's going in to the dealer tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[BGlidewell]

My '07 5. 9L auto has been acting up lately as well. It shifts up fine, but won't kick down once the torque converter is locked up, as needed for passing. Haven't noticed any heat issues. Mine only has 30k on the clock, and is used mainly for carrying a 1200 lb Four Wheel Camper. It's going in to the dealer tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find.

how many mikes have YOU driven your truck? (did it always do this?)

 

[JosephWare]

They've had it since Monday and have come up with nothing. Can't reproduce the overdrive issue, and say there are no codes set for the hunting between 1st and 2nd. I suggested the governor solenoid and they said it would have set a code.

 

[BGlidewell]

... I suggested the governor solenoid and they said it would have set a code.

no it wont. mine did not. But I also notice you have a smarty. Try and run it stock. The smarty can fool the transmission I've heard. Also may need the front band (and rear)adjusted. overdrive issue sounds like a heat sensor problem.

 

[JosephWare]

I don't have a Smarty, yet, so stock it is. I suggested the heat sensor as well. Think it fell on deaf ears at the dealer.

 

[cerberusiam]

It won't set codes until the solenoid is out of range for so long. Meanwhile, intermittent loss of OD and shuttle shift like crazy.



Normally you will not see the OD light and hear the chime though, that is indicative of a bad ground somewhere or a loose connection.



Make sure they check the trans control harness CAREFULLY for scuffed wires somewhere, a pin not making connection in its receptacle, and the plug receptacle on the trans is dry. They will leak fluid in there and cause shorts and all manner of weird things.



The first thing they should do is change out the gov solenoid and transducer as the OE parts are JUNK and they know very well thise 2 parts are the source of many problems. There is even a TSB for it so get on them about the shuttle shifting and hang shifting so they do their job.



Make sure all the grounds from the battery are good, the battey cables are clean and tight, and the batteries check out. Any of those will throw gremlins into the system.

 

[JosephWare]

You don't happen to know the TSB number do you? Cause they told me they checked and there were none for the 2007. Sounds like I want to take it away from them before they get into something.

 

[JosephWare]

Found it, 21-009-07. I called and spoke with the service manager. He said thanks and they will check. Here we go. Thanks for the help.

 

[JosephWare]

Found it, 21-009-07. I called and spoke with the service manager. He said thanks and they will check. Here we go. Thanks for the help.

 

[bheiting]

I had mine in to the dealer this morning. Of course, the trans was working fine. The tech thought it may be temp. related but had no other explanation. They did a computer flash recently when they replaced my front axle u joints. Perhaps that was the ticket. Thanks Cerberusium and BGlidewell for the suggestions. I'll keep those in mind for future reference. The diesel tech offered to buy my truck - that's always encouraging. Good luck Josephware. It may be time to find a different dealer.

 

[BGlidewell]

I don't have a Smarty, yet, so stock it is. I suggested the heat sensor as well. Think it fell on deaf ears at the dealer.

musta had you confused with another guy, sorry.

 

[JosephWare]

Dealer flashed it. Nothing changed. I will not take it back to Greenbrier Dodge in Chesapeake. I will be taking it to Tim Baker of TRE Diesel in Norfolk. He has already indicated the probable cause as electronics and knows of the TSB, which Greenbrier could not find and did not look at once I told them about it. I'll keep you posted.

 

[MChrist]

Some people just try harder... find a good place and stick with them.

 

[JosephWare]

Fixed

FYI, Tim Baker of TRE Diesel in Norfolk VA took care of my problems. He followed Dodge's recommendation on the TSB, and replaced the electronics. Not only is it fixed but it is better than out of the showroom. Shifts better, better mileage, and no problems. Thanks Tim.