65RFE Transmission

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1stRam1500

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I have a 2013 Ram 1500 with 65RFE transmission. It also has a Flowmaster 50HD muffler and a K & N intake system. I bought this truck In May and have had a shift solenoid changed out. My problem is that the transmission does not slow the truck down going down the mountain, in any gear including 1st. Every vehicle I have ever owned, slows the vehicle going down the mountain. Is this normal for this transmission? Has anyone had this problem before? I am ready to go back to Chevy, if I can't get this problem fixed.
 

charonblk07

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Yeah, that ain't right; you should always be able to manually downshift and not rely on the brakes.
 

RamCares

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I have a 2013 Ram 1500 with 65RFE transmission. It also has a Flowmaster 50HD muffler and a K & N intake system. I bought this truck In May and have had a shift solenoid changed out. My problem is that the transmission does not slow the truck down going down the mountain, in any gear including 1st. Every vehicle I have ever owned, slows the vehicle going down the mountain. Is this normal for this transmission? Has anyone had this problem before? I am ready to go back to Chevy, if I can't get this problem fixed.

Hey 1st Ram1500,

We have a TSB that was released back in 2014 that might help--not sure if your truck has had flashes performed or not!

"NUMBER: 21-008-14
GROUP: Transmission and
Transfer Case
DATE: March 08, 2014

SUBJECT:
Flash: Transmission Shift Enhancements
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Transmission Control
Module (TCM) with new software.
MODELS:
2013 DS Ram 1500 Pickup

NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with the 5.7L engine (Sales Code EZH) and the automatic 8-speed transmission (Sales Code DFD).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may indicate that they may have experienced any of the following:
· Poor heavy throttle downshift response
· Vehicle does not spend enough time in eighth gear"

Kori
Ram Social Care Specialist
 

ColdCase

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Thanks Kori, the 65RE transmission the op is talking about is not the 8 speed.

1st Ram, it does sound like you have a transmission problem. Does the torque converter locking up at any time, like driving down the highway?
 
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1stRam1500

1stRam1500

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Coldcase, the transmission appears to shift perfectly going up through the gears. The problem comes when downshifting. My brother has seen this problem in my truck and said that the transmission seem disconnected when going down the hill. The service manager that I took over the mountain said the same thing. My dealer doesn't have a transmission tech at this time. I am having to go out of town to another dealer. They drove the truck didn't see a problem. I'm taking it back Friday to show them what is happening.
 

ColdCase

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Yeah forget about the lock up clutch, there are a couple different clutches/bands in the transmission that gets exercised during coasting, but the trans tech may have to do some hydraulic tests to figure it out. Seems to be a rare issue.
 

Burla

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what about tow haul?
 

Casper

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You should feel transmission drag when coasting in Tow/Haul mode.
 
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1stRam1500

1stRam1500

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Casper,
When going into tow/haul in a higher gear it does downshift. But to put it in tow/haul and then go down the mountain, it reacts the same as without. It appears that the clutch pack is slipping but, it shifts fine going up through the gears. Sometimes 1st gear will engage and slow down. When you shift to 2nd and back to 1st it won't react. It also doesn't act as if 2nd comes in. I have put it in 1st and and before I put on brakes i was at 50mph. there was no sign of holding back. Even when it's in tow/haul.
 

chrism1367

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1st gear at 50??? I wonder if it has something to do with over rev protection or something. Can't you just leave it in tow haul mode without selecting gears manually? Does it still act that way when you do that?
 
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1stRam1500

1stRam1500

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Chrism1367,
Tow/haul does not slow it down. That is the whole problem. The transmission will not slow the truck down in tow/haul, out of tow/haul, automatic or manual shift. 50mph in first gear at 4500rpm. It won't slow down.
 
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1stRam1500

1stRam1500

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Update. I took the transmission tech on a drive. Wouldn't you know it, 1st gear actually slowed the truck. The mountain we were on, actually isn't as steep as the one I normally travel. However, after speaking with this tech, he told me that the transmission is working properly. The engine compression is what is supposed to slow the truck. I still don't believe that. He said that there is an engineering problem in this situation and there is no fix. I have since found that others have had this situation and haven't gotten any relief. So, I guess I get to try an 8 speed. I am test driving a 2014 Ram Sport so equipped.
I thank those who have responded and tried to help.
 

chrism1367

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Interesting. I tow a small pontoon boat, about 2000 lbs and can definitely feel the difference between tow haul and normal. Good thing you can trade it in then
 
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