Front Wheels Slid, Trans Went Into Neutral

Hydrasport · Nov 16, 2017

Has anyone here experienced this issue before? I was slowing from about 35 mph and the front wheels hit a wet painted line across my lane. I'm pretty sure the front brakes locked the front wheels for just an instant. That is not uncommon for a wheel to slide a bit when crossing a wet strip of paint on the roadway. I don't need to come to a complete stop, but when I released the brakes and started to continue driving forward, the transmission was in neutral and the "D" was flashing yellow. I had to completely stop and shift into park and then back into drive. It only took a second to see what had happened and correct it, but having to completely stop was not intended at that intersection.
Why would the transmission shift into neutral, even if the ABS kicked in for a second? I've had no other issues with the transmission since and everything seems to operate as normal.

StinkyHotChocolate · Nov 16, 2017

That is very scary. Please keep us posted. Is this an 8 speed?

RamCares · Nov 16, 2017

Hydrasport said:
Has anyone here experienced this issue before? I was slowing from about 35 mph and the front wheels hit a wet painted line across my lane. I'm pretty sure the front brakes locked the front wheels for just an instant. That is not uncommon for a wheel to slide a bit when crossing a wet strip of paint on the roadway. I don't need to come to a complete stop, but when I released the brakes and started to continue driving forward, the transmission was in neutral and the "D" was flashing yellow. I had to completely stop and shift into park and then back into drive. It only took a second to see what had happened and correct it, but having to completely stop was not intended at that intersection.
Why would the transmission shift into neutral, even if the ABS kicked in for a second? I've had no other issues with the transmission since and everything seems to operate as normal.

Hi Hydrasport,

Sorry to hear about this! If you end up deciding to visit your local dealership for further diagnosis I'd be happy to offer assistance if needed. Just send us a PM with your VIN and let me know.

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist

ramdad · Nov 26, 2017

Hydrasport said:
Has anyone here experienced this issue before? I was slowing from about 35 mph and the front wheels hit a wet painted line across my lane. I'm pretty sure the front brakes locked the front wheels for just an instant. That is not uncommon for a wheel to slide a bit when crossing a wet strip of paint on the roadway. I don't need to come to a complete stop, but when I released the brakes and started to continue driving forward, the transmission was in neutral and the "D" was flashing yellow. I had to completely stop and shift into park and then back into drive. It only took a second to see what had happened and correct it, but having to completely stop was not intended at that intersection.
Why would the transmission shift into neutral, even if the ABS kicked in for a second? I've had no other issues with the transmission since and everything seems to operate as normal.

Hydrasport, I have had a similar problem with my ram 13 5.7L/8spd. Very rarely and very randomly my truck goes into neutral and the "D" indicator light flashes. Mine only occurs when slowing down (like approaching a traffic light). On several occasions the motor actually died. Since this happens so rarely, I have not been able to duplicate it at the dealership.
Please post your findings if you find the problem.

thanks, Robert

Hydrasport · Nov 26, 2017

I'm glad someone else has seen this issue. It surprised me to see how fast "ramcares" jumped in to offer setting up an appointment at a Ram dealer. And asking for a vin seemed odd. It is almost like Ram knows there is an issue with some trucks and this is definitely a safety issue. It is rare and it has not occurred in a few weeks. If an accident were to result from the truck not being able to move under it's own power I wonder if Ram or the NHTSA would want more information about the issue? I am going to file a complaint with the NHTSA and see if they have any other issues similar to this.

BossHogg · Nov 27, 2017

Hydrasport said:
I'm glad someone else has seen this issue. It surprised me to see how fast "ramcares" jumped in to offer setting up an appointment at a Ram dealer. And asking for a vin seemed odd. It is almost like Ram knows there is an issue with some trucks and this is definitely a safety issue.

It is definitely an unexpected behavior. I've got a 2013 that has never done that and I drive in all four seasons.

Work with RAM Cares, it may just eliminate the dreaded dealer response, "can't duplicate customer's concern". Also get it in ASAP just in case there are codes set indicating the event. RAM Cares will track you service visits using your VIN.

When they repaint the roadway lines here, they put cones out or use very quick drying paint.

Rado · Nov 27, 2017

Hydrasport said:
I'm glad someone else has seen this issue. It surprised me to see how fast "ramcares" jumped in to offer setting up an appointment at a Ram dealer. And asking for a vin seemed odd. It is almost like Ram knows there is an issue with some trucks and this is definitely a safety issue. It is rare and it has not occurred in a few weeks. If an accident were to result from the truck not being able to move under it's own power I wonder if Ram or the NHTSA would want more information about the issue? I am going to file a complaint with the NHTSA and see if they have any other issues similar to this.

No issue with mine but will be following ! As for the quick reply from RAMCARE ,when there is a issue they usually reply fast even when there is a new question asked! As for asking for your VIN ,they do that so they can check on recalls etc! BUT if your issue is common I also want to know as like mentioned the end results could be real bad in heavy traffic ! Please post a update when you find the cause ! Thanks

RamCares · Nov 27, 2017

Hydrasport said:
I'm glad someone else has seen this issue. It surprised me to see how fast "ramcares" jumped in to offer setting up an appointment at a Ram dealer. And asking for a vin seemed odd. It is almost like Ram knows there is an issue with some trucks and this is definitely a safety issue. It is rare and it has not occurred in a few weeks. If an accident were to result from the truck not being able to move under it's own power I wonder if Ram or the NHTSA would want more information about the issue? I am going to file a complaint with the NHTSA and see if they have any other issues similar to this.

Hi Hydrasport,

We always ask for a VIN so we can identify more information about the vehicle and so we can tie a customer care case to it for documentation purposes.

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist

Hydrasport · Nov 27, 2017

I guess I'm not familiar with Ramcare. I have researched recalls for this truck. None, but I did find recalls for the exact same problem with the 9 speed ZF transmissions. The truck is a 2013 and likely out of warranty. Can a soft code be picked up through a home scan tool?
The last representative I dealt with was from GM. GM customer care offered help on my 5th visit to a Cadillac dealer. I worked through the GM customer care rep for months. Finally, after the 9th trip into two Cadillac dealerships for the same problem, and the common "can't duplicate the problem", the GM rep calmly stated that they could not repair the problem and good luck. Still having headlight aiming issues and the car is still under full factory warranty. It was purchased one year old so no lemon law will cover the complaint. That does not leave a good impression of manufacturer reps.

ramdad · Nov 28, 2017

ramdad said:
Hydrasport, I have had a similar problem with my ram 13 5.7L/8spd. Very rarely and very randomly my truck goes into neutral and the "D" indicator light flashes. Mine only occurs when slowing down (like approaching a traffic light). On several occasions the motor actually died. Since this happens so rarely, I have not been able to duplicate it at the dealership.
Please post your findings if you find the problem.

thanks, Robert

Oh, I other thing. I have run diagnostic scans at an independent transmission shop and at the dealership. No codes are logged when this occurs. The dealer service manager says that they cannot pursue solving the problem unless they can actually see it happen. They could keep my truck for a month and it not re-occur again. When it does happen (appearantly) moving the shift knob from D to N, then, back to D clears the code, but, this is the only way I can move the truck.
I AM VERY FRUSTRTED WITH FCA OVER THIS ISSUE!!
robert

Hydrasport · Apr 15, 2018

It happened again today. Been about six months since last time I had this same issue. Definitely did not slide the front tires today. Good weather, slowing to a stop but I didn't stop completely, (in the middle of nowhere) and stepped on the gas to pull away from the intersection. Seemed like the transmission went into neutral before I stepped on the gas. The engine revved but the truck didn't move forward. When I looked down at the dash I saw the the tach had moved up to about 2000 and was very slow to return to neutral, even with my foot off the gas pedal. The "D" was flashing so I put the shifter into neutral and then back to drive (still rolling slowly) and it did not go into gear. That was possibly due to the engine above idle speed. I stopped the truck completely and shifted to park. After the engine dropped back to idle, I turned the shift knob to drive and drove off.
I am not able to pull any codes tonight, but the CEL never came on. I ran it both hard and and easy for a while after that and no issues were noted. Idled fine, pulled normal, shifted normal and no hesitation or stalling. No way I'm going to take it to a dealer and let them keep it for months trying to "duplicate the problem".

ColdCase · Apr 16, 2018

A flashing D means a transmission fault was detected. The code usually can't be read by an everyday ODB scanner, you need one that can see transmission faults. Not sure if the fault history clears on these transmissions when the fault corrects itself or reset (D stops flashing)... you may have to read the codes when the D is flashing.

An expert in this transmission may have had experience with this kind of fault and knows what to look for in the diagnostics and what tests to run. Otherwise, unless FCA engineers can help, they wouldn't know where to start.

adrianp89 · Apr 17, 2018

Hydrasport said:
It happened again today. Been about six months since last time I had this same issue. Definitely did not slide the front tires today. Good weather, slowing to a stop but I didn't stop completely, (in the middle of nowhere) and stepped on the gas to pull away from the intersection. Seemed like the transmission went into neutral before I stepped on the gas. The engine revved but the truck didn't move forward. When I looked down at the dash I saw the the tach had moved up to about 2000 and was very slow to return to neutral, even with my foot off the gas pedal. The "D" was flashing so I put the shifter into neutral and then back to drive (still rolling slowly) and it did not go into gear. That was possibly due to the engine above idle speed. I stopped the truck completely and shifted to park. After the engine dropped back to idle, I turned the shift knob to drive and drove off.
I am not able to pull any codes tonight, but the CEL never came on. I ran it both hard and and easy for a while after that and no issues were noted. Idled fine, pulled normal, shifted normal and no hesitation or stalling. No way I'm going to take it to a dealer and let them keep it for months trying to "duplicate the problem".

Happened to me a few weeks ago. Was coming off the interstate and got to the stop sign to turn right, felt something weird as came to a stop and to creep forward a little, then saw the D was flashing. First time it has happened in 3 years.

Addicted2fishing · Apr 17, 2018

Just reading this and feel for the guys having issues.

Has anyone bypassed these ******** dealers and contacted ZF directly ? They might know what the code is or what’s happening.

My guess is the transmission thinks something is wrong and maybe disengaging to prevent damage. I’m not mechanic by any stretch LOL

Mods: EGR matte black bug deflector, Westin HDX drop steps, rough county bull bar with 20” LED, custom made NW seat covers in real tree camo, husky liner mats, husky liner mud guards, undercover LUX tonneau cover, Tailgate assist, flowmaster super 40 with resonators, tinted 15% front, LED C shaped tail lights.

Hydrasport · Apr 19, 2018

It happened again today, less than a week since the last occurrence The issue is getting more frequent, but not enough to pay a dealer to keep it for a week or two and drive it every day hoping to see the problem. If they see it happen and have no codes recorded, then they are no better off than I am. The engine does not stall. The transmission seems to drop out of gear before completely stopping, almost like it is stuck between two gears. Most automatic transmissions will lock up if more than the required clutches engage at once and will simply not pull if not enough clutches are engaged. I have noticed that the "rear end bump" while stopping does not occur as often and the "late - early- stuck between gears" downshifting problems may be related.
May be time to trade the truck because I want a bigger truck for towing after retirement.

hoe... · Apr 19, 2018

How many miles on the transmission ?
Has fluid been changed ?

Sent from my BLA-L29 using Tapatalk

RamInfo · Apr 19, 2018

Hydrasport said:
It happened again today, less than a week since the last occurrence The issue is getting more frequent, but not enough to pay a dealer to keep it for a week or two and drive it every day hoping to see the problem. If they see it happen and have no codes recorded, then they are no better off than I am. The engine does not stall. The transmission seems to drop out of gear before completely stopping, almost like it is stuck between two gears. Most automatic transmissions will lock up if more than the required clutches engage at once and will simply not pull if not enough clutches are engaged. I have noticed that the "rear end bump" while stopping does not occur as often and the "late - early- stuck between gears" downshifting problems may be related.
May be time to trade the truck because I want a bigger truck for towing after retirement.

Just for clarity here—have you taken the truck to a dealer to have them read codes?
Best,
DG

Addicted2fishing · Apr 19, 2018

RamInfo said:
Just for clarity here—have you taken the truck to a dealer to have them read codes?
Best,
DG

Yeah I’m sure he mentioned that. They couldn’t find codes. Apparently once it’s placed back in drive it erases the code.....

Mods: EGR matte black bug deflector, Westin HDX drop steps, rough county bull bar with 20” LED, custom made NW seat covers in real tree camo, husky liner mats, husky liner mud guards, undercover LUX tonneau cover, Tailgate assist, flowmaster super 40 with resonators, tinted 15% front, LED C shaped tail lights.

Hydrasport · Apr 19, 2018

No codes stored in the transmission module or ecm. It does not appear to be a mechanical issue with the transmission because a mechanical issue would cause the transmission to act up all the time. I will be going back to the dealer to see if the transmission has the most up to date software, but that may cost $ to get it updated and that may not solve the problem. Especially if Ram does not think they have a problem with these trucks. I've been through all of that with GM on my last two GM cars.

Hydrasport · Apr 19, 2018

hoe... said:
How many miles on the transmission ?
Has fluid been changed ?

Sent from my BLA-L29 using Tapatalk

80,000 miles and I have not changed the fluid yet. Through all past automatic transmission experience, changing fluid before it is due does not solve these types of issues. Does not seem that a hanging shift solenoid would cause this type of issue. Upshifts are fine.

Front Wheels Slid, Trans Went Into Neutral

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