2013 RAM 1500 Transmission Overheating / Issues?

[Aeon23]

Hello,

As the title states I've got a 2013 RAM 1500, 5.7 Hemi, and I'm having issues with the transmission over heating. I commute about 50 miles a day to work, 80% of which is highway miles where I average about 70mph. During the Winter it was not really much of an issue, but now that it's getting warmer by the time I get to work my Transmission temp generally reads about 220F. My Coolant temp is usually around 205F and my Oil temp is usually around 210F.

There has been a two occasions, most notably in heavy traffic, where the transmission temperature alarm went off at 275F. When this happened I pulled over, turned the motor off, and waited about 20 min before getting back on the road to make it home.

I took the truck to my dealership, told them what the issue was, and they checked the transmission and coolant fluids and said everything looked good and was at the appropriate levels. The tech said maybe it was a sensor issue. I seriously doubt it's a sensor issue because the transmission gauge only seems to really climb up during warmer months, or if I'm driving it harder than usual.

Is this a known issue or a common issue with 2013 year 1500's? What is a generally acceptable operating temperature for a transmission? Because of this issue and dealerships telling me they don't see anything wrong, I've been pretty nervous to drive my truck anywhere for more than an hour or so. I've got a pretty big trip coming up and I'm not sure what to do or how to get this issue resolved or at least properly diagnosed.

Any help is appreciated.


Thanks!

 

[R.L.K.]

I'm assuming you have the 8 speed xsmn ?

What Differential ratio ? 321 or 392 .

How many miles on the truck ?

Are you the original owner ?

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[Aeon23]

I'm assuming you have the 8 speed xsmn ?

What Differential ratio ? 321 or 392 .

How many miles on the truck ?

Are you the original owner ?

Yes, it's the 8 speed automatic transmission.

I'm really not sure at all which differential ratio it has... it's a completely stock 2013, 1500 Big Horn. No modifications or upgrades have been done at all. I bought it certified used with 17k miles, it now has 118k miles which are all from me. I've had the truck for 4 years now, so not the original owner brand new, but I've owned the truck for the vast majority of it's life thus far.

 

[AFMoulton]

Hemi or V6??


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40
2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[Aeon23]

Hemi or V6??

5.7 Hemi

 

[R.L.K.]

Yes, it's the 8 speed automatic transmission.

I'm really not sure at all which differential ratio it has... it's a completely stock 2013, 1500 Big Horn. No modifications or upgrades have been done at all. I bought it certified used with 17k miles, it now has 118k miles which are all from me. I've had the truck for 4 years now, so not the original owner brand new, but I've owned the truck for the vast majority of it's life thus far.

Thanks for the reply .

If not done yet , it's definitely time to change filters and fluid .
I'd do this prior to troubleshooting a temperature issue .
Maybe even bite the bullet and have your local dealership do a complete system flush ?
I'm not a fan of dealerships , but a flush can cause other issues so it may be a good idea to have them involved ??

I'm not real familiar with the 8 speed xsmn's but 195-200° f is the norm for my wife's 16 Challenger with the 8 speed .

I know your xsmn has an oil heater via the coolant system , I suppose there could be an issue with that system malfunctioning??

With that said it's probably not a temp sensor.

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[RamCares]

Hello,

As the title states I've got a 2013 RAM 1500, 5.7 Hemi, and I'm having issues with the transmission over heating. I commute about 50 miles a day to work, 80% of which is highway miles where I average about 70mph. During the Winter it was not really much of an issue, but now that it's getting warmer by the time I get to work my Transmission temp generally reads about 220F. My Coolant temp is usually around 205F and my Oil temp is usually around 210F.

There has been a two occasions, most notably in heavy traffic, where the transmission temperature alarm went off at 275F. When this happened I pulled over, turned the motor off, and waited about 20 min before getting back on the road to make it home.

I took the truck to my dealership, told them what the issue was, and they checked the transmission and coolant fluids and said everything looked good and was at the appropriate levels. The tech said maybe it was a sensor issue. I seriously doubt it's a sensor issue because the transmission gauge only seems to really climb up during warmer months, or if I'm driving it harder than usual.

Is this a known issue or a common issue with 2013 year 1500's? What is a generally acceptable operating temperature for a transmission? Because of this issue and dealerships telling me they don't see anything wrong, I've been pretty nervous to drive my truck anywhere for more than an hour or so. I've got a pretty big trip coming up and I'm not sure what to do or how to get this issue resolved or at least properly diagnosed.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!

Hi Aeon23,
We understand the importance of being able to rely on your truck for long trips, and regret to hear of these concerns. We would like to offer an additional layer of assistance while you are working with your dealership on this. Please send us private message with additional details if this is something you are interested in.
Julie
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[huntergreen]

Did the dealership pull codes ?

 

[John W Hensman]

Similar condition within 1500 RAM (2014) with about 130,000 miles. Trans is currently heating up to about 250 F after pulling hills on I-20 West of Birmingham, AB. In route to VA for next duty station. Trans cooled after sitting 20 minutes. Called dealer and stated -- not check engine light, smells, or sounds coming out of trans. Concern base of continuing travel. Will refresh fluids upon arrival VA, but worried about rest of the trip. Arriving VA Norfolk Saturday night 11-Aug-2018. Must continue trip East; therefore, will take dealers word that everything is OK to continue East. If there are any other info on such conditions and or fixes, please let me know via. email direct ([email protected]). I can get info through cell service. Purchased truck two weeks ago...

 

[crash68]

Yes, it's the 8 speed automatic transmission.

A member on another forum just solved a similar issue with the 8 speed. The trans temp running above the coolant temps and would spike upwards of 260-270. To make things interesting, he had the dealer check out the transmission, they said NTF then tried to blame it on wrong fluid used.
The problem is the transmission heater that's on the side of it. The "heater" module has the thermostatic control valve that controls the transmission temp.
Probably wouldn't hurt to change the fluid at the same time.

 

[Aeon23]

Just wanted to give an update here - sorry for reviving an old thread.

Turns out I was mistaken, and I actually have the 6-speed transmission, not the 8-speed.

Anyway, I ended up doing a full trans flush, replaced the filters, fluid, etc. and the transmission was still overheating.

Apparently there's a transmission cooler attached to the radiator which the shop said was not circulating coolant at near the volume it should have been. They installed an aftermarket transmission cooler and this seems to have fixed the issue as of now.

Unfortunately, after the trans flush and new fluid, they test drove the truck to see if the problem still existed, and with it still overheating the temperature on the thermostat when I drove the truck home hit 266F. Now I'm wondering if the brand new fluid they put in was damaged or starting to burn reaching that temp. I checked the fluid on the dipstick earlier today, and although it's still pink and looks new, it does smell a bit burnt. But that could also be some residual effects from the old fluid, as it was never changed up till now (130k miles) and was black as night / burnt smelling. Not sure if I should replace the fluid again now that I've got a new trans cooler and the temps seem to have stabilized around where they should be.



Anyway, TLDR - new trans fluid, filter, etc. did nothing. Found an issue with stock transmission cooler circulating coolant, replaced it with aftermarket trans cooler. Issue fixed.

 

[R.L.K.]

Just wanted to give an update here - sorry for reviving an old thread.

Turns out I was mistaken, and I actually have the 6-speed transmission, not the 8-speed.

Anyway, I ended up doing a full trans flush, replaced the filters, fluid, etc. and the transmission was still overheating.

Apparently there's a transmission cooler attached to the radiator which the shop said was not circulating coolant at near the volume it should have been. They installed an aftermarket transmission cooler and this seems to have fixed the issue as of now.

Unfortunately, after the trans flush and new fluid, they test drove the truck to see if the problem still existed, and with it still overheating the temperature on the thermostat when I drove the truck home hit 266F. Now I'm wondering if the brand new fluid they put in was damaged or starting to burn reaching that temp. I checked the fluid on the dipstick earlier today, and although it's still pink and looks new, it does smell a bit burnt. But that could also be some residual effects from the old fluid, as it was never changed up till now (130k miles) and was black as night / burnt smelling. Not sure if I should replace the fluid again now that I've got a new trans cooler and the temps seem to have stabilized around where they should be.



Anyway, TLDR - new trans fluid, filter, etc. did nothing. Found an issue with stock transmission cooler circulating coolant, replaced it with aftermarket trans cooler. Issue fixed.

I'd be replacing the fluid via a pan drop or better yet suck it out through the dip stick / service port with a vacuum pump 3ea times over the next 15-20k to get all new fluid in the xsmn system over 20k .
You will only get 5.5 - 7 qts out each time so it takes several attempts to get all new fluid in there .
Me personally I'd be reservicing with Redline C+ Fluid .
Many here including myself are using the Redline C+ with fantastic results in our 6 speed xsmns [emoji1303]


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[Burla]

266 aint gonna work with a 6 speed for long. What Ronnie above is saying is try ester based fluid, buys you 30 degrees F. Runs cooler and doesn't degrade as much with heat. But you need to a a full flush, meaning drop pan, put pan back, fill with c+, then go to return line that takes the fluid from tranny to cooler and put in a bucket, start and stop car as it drains and I believe you need to be in neutral to circulate fluid, do it til you put back a total of 14 quarts, add that process to the qrts you added to fill after pan drop = 14. Sounds harder then it is, if you are gonna do it let me know I will find the dyi video.

But, you still have a serious problem that needs to be fixed. That redline c+ fluid will survive the temp, but the clutch packs are another issue. Does the temp keep rising cruising the freeway?

 

[Burla]

My 6 speed works at 136f religiously. Our buddy towed a trailer and family up the Ike I think the hottest he got was 175. I'm not sure how to fix your tranny, but it needs to be fixed one way or the other. Redline oil might give you some mileage, but even 30 degrees wont stop this tranny from failing sooner rather then later. I wonder if the pump isn't working.

 

[R.L.K.]

266 aint gonna work with a 6 speed for long. What Ronnie above is saying is try ester based fluid, buys you 30 degrees F. Runs cooler and doesn't degrade as much with heat. But you need to a a full flush, meaning drop pan, put pan back, fill with c+, then go to return line that takes the fluid from tranny to cooler and put in a bucket, start and stop car as it drains and I believe you need to be in neutral to circulate fluid, do it til you put back a total of 14 quarts, add that process to the qrts you added to fill after pan drop = 14. Sounds harder then it is, if you are gonna do it let me know I will find the dyi video.

But, you still have a serious problem that needs to be fixed. That redline c+ fluid will survive the temp, but the clutch packs are another issue. Does the temp keep rising cruising the freeway?

I believe he said replacing the xsmn cooler fixed the problem , so now he really just needs another fluid change to get as much new fluid in as possible ...

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[Burla]

You been eating to many crawdads, go back and read.

 

[R.L.K.]

You been eating to many crawdads, go back and read.

LOL

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[R.L.K.]

You been eating to many crawdads, go back and read.

Read the last paragraph of the OPs post #11 above [emoji16]

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[Aeon23]

266 aint gonna work with a 6 speed for long. What Ronnie above is saying is try ester based fluid, buys you 30 degrees F. Runs cooler and doesn't degrade as much with heat. But you need to a a full flush, meaning drop pan, put pan back, fill with c+, then go to return line that takes the fluid from tranny to cooler and put in a bucket, start and stop car as it drains and I believe you need to be in neutral to circulate fluid, do it til you put back a total of 14 quarts, add that process to the qrts you added to fill after pan drop = 14. Sounds harder then it is, if you are gonna do it let me know I will find the dyi video.

But, you still have a serious problem that needs to be fixed. That redline c+ fluid will survive the temp, but the clutch packs are another issue. Does the temp keep rising cruising the freeway?

I actually replaced the transmission cooler and fixed the initial overheating issue. My main concern was that before replacing the cooler, I did a full trans flush hoping that would resolve the issue. It diddnt, and between the new fluid and replacing the trans cooler, the temp hit 266F. Now that I have a new trans cooler - and 3 day old fluid (that hit 266F), should I replace the fluid again a 2nd time now that everything is fixed with the heating issues?

RLK thinks I should, and after checking my trans dipstick and smelling a bit burnt, I guess I tend to agree as much as it irritates me having literally just paid a shop $300 to do the full flush and new fluid.

 

[Burla]

That is why Ronnie (RLK) and myself recommend polyol esters in the transmission. For guys like you it buys you many degrees of hot temperature protection. Redline is polyol, if you are going to do another flush, mise well check it out. Nick at gotexhaust here has cheapest prices on redline, better then the prices you see on redline website. Price around, PM nick and get a price on 4 gallons of redline d6 shipped to your door. Do some more research, I'm just putting that out there. d6 for 8 speed, c+ for 6 speed is the correct redline.

Sorry, I know there was confusion on what tranny you have, look at the graph polyol versus mineral oil which is at4. Look at the difference in heat performance. Price redline c+ that is the oil for your 6 speed. Redline literally buys you like 60 to 80 degrees better protection then mineral oil options.