6.4 transmission staying too high

[PrestigeWorldwide]

58,000 miles
3.73 gears

Transmission is holding too high of a gear when leaving roundabouts, typically 3rd sometimes 4th gear trying to accelerate from 20mph.

When cruising at 50 mph, the transmission goes into 6th gear and hangs on to about 1200 rpms.

In both scenarios the engine sounds bogged down. MDS is functioning normally.

The dealership said “that’s the nature of the beast”.

Bought the truck a little over a month ago. Didn’t pick up on it on the test drive. Looking for any input on how “normal” this is or any leads on a potential solution.

 

[U&A]

Disconnect the battery for a good 15 minutes.

After you connect it, the next few times you drive you should drive more aggressively. The transmission will learn you’re driving habits and change the way it shifts.

I’ve learned my lesson that you cannot “granny drive” the 66rfe. The trans wants to lug the engine (**** programming) and a Hemi likes high RPM.

Bad combo.

You can also drive in T/H all the time. I do it exclusively even with 4:88 gears.

Truck drives much better.

The absolute thing you can do is a tuner with custom shift points.... a trans tune




Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

 

[River19]

This has been the consistent complaint with the 6.4 rigs. I have been dealing with this for 5 years. Tow/Haul is a little bit better as it at least gives you 2nd more often. I hear a Pedal Commander somewhat helps.

I still maintain that I love everything about the truck but I would like to meet the guy who programmed the tranny and just punch him in the balls and walk away.

 

[OzarksRam]

Yeah the 3rd gear thing drives me crazy. Your example of coming out of a roundabout is what mine does as well. My truck will hold 3rd and when you accelerate it will shutter and shake the whole truck. It feels like the tranny is slipping or like you left a manual in too high a gear. I've taken it to the dealer several times and since it doesn't throw a code they say they can't do anything about. I plan to try a programmer after my warranty runs out next year. I also plan on my vacation to drive to another dealership and make a mechanic ride with me and see if they can fix anything. I doubt they can but it will at least make me feel better that they acknowledge something isn't right.

 

[2500mule]

I was experiencing the same issue with my 16 2500. The pedal commander cured that issue.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[U&A]

I was experiencing the same issue with my 16 2500. The pedal commander cured that issue.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Good info.


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

 

[wgreggking]

Used to bother me too at first. Now,Tow haul around town, and on the highway, shift button in 6 or 5 Mds off, and use your foot as pedal commander.

 

[MADDOG]

Mine was the same dog so I started running the transmission manually vs. in full auto. Putting it in Tow/Haul mode helped but for better shifting and power management around town, I went manual mode.

 

[River19]

For me, I don't really put many miles on this rig unless I'm towing, my 2014 has only like 43,000 miles on it, so yes it is annoying the times I take it to work 18 miles round trip or a run up to my cabin with it which is 450 round trip but.......when towing in Tow/Haul I'm usually manually manipulating things anyways.

 

[tjfdesmo]

I would like to meet the guy who programmed the tranny and just punch him in the balls and walk away.

That about sums it up.

 

[mtofell]

Yep, totally "normal" behavior from this tranny. It holds gears so long it's absolutely laughable at times. The gear ratios for this tranny were borrowed from the 68rfe that goes with the Cummins and I'm thinking a lot of the programming was as well. The gear spacing and shift patterns would be great with a diesel that loves to lug at low RPMs. The gasser Hemi? Not really but obviously this isn't a priority for Ram. A simple program would drastically change things. After 5+ years of people complaining I think we just get what we get. It's an annoyance but has never bugged me enough to get a Pedal Commander or anything. Honestly, I just mash the pedal to the floor when it really gets to me and the tranny figures out what I want.

 

[tjfdesmo]

I'm fixing mine... Just ordered a '19 3500 DRW Cummins HO/Aisin.

 

[Snyd]

Ram neutered these trucks with 3.73 gears. 4.10's should be standard. I have a Reg cab 4x4 with 4.10's and other than 2nd gear being a little high the thing flat scoots.

 

[Jeff Courtney]

I got my '18 3500 with 6.4 and 4.10's thinking it would fix the sluggish/lazy symptoms but was disappointed. It acts just like my '11 2500 5.7 with 3.73's did. Doubt I keep it.

 

[GsRAM]

I don't have these sort of complaints with my 17 6.4/3.73, but it could be because I came from the absolute worst shifting pos trans to this ram. A 15' Silverado 1500 with GMs absolute garbage 6 speed.

Words can't describe the clunky, poor shifting, hold too high of a gear for way too long, total dead pedal (half to push it half way to get the truck to move) pos that thing was. It never adapted to my driving style. One of the big reasons I sold that pos.

My rams 6 speed could be better but is still night and day better than that garbage GM. I don't miss that trick one bit!

 

[East0352]

Pedal commander fixed a lot of the issues with both sluggish acceleration and trans shifting. Turned my fat-assed lineman into a ballerina on the interstate too.

 

[UrWifesFavorite]

Yeah the 3rd gear thing drives me crazy. Your example of coming out of a roundabout is what mine does as well. My truck will hold 3rd and when you accelerate it will shutter and shake the whole truck. It feels like the tranny is slipping or like you left a manual in too high a gear. I've taken it to the dealer several times and since it doesn't throw a code they say they can't do anything about. I plan to try a programmer after my warranty runs out next year. I also plan on my vacation to drive to another dealership and make a mechanic ride with me and see if they can fix anything. I doubt they can but it will at least make me feel better that they acknowledge something isn't right.

I think You need a Trans Quick learn... it’ll fix that... They won’t throw a code cause to the Trans there’s nothing wrong... I’ve had many people with these issues and a quick AlfaOBD on the Trans problem solved...


Sent from UrMoms House

 

[UrWifesFavorite]

Needs a Trans Quick Learn... AlfaOBD will do it...


Sent from UrMoms House

 

[sandawilliams]

I don't think our Ram's tranny's work any different than any of the other newer ones. They are made to run in the highest gear possible for fuel mileage. I have no problems with my 6.4 and 3.73's towing 8000+. I just plan my shifts and keep on truckin.

 

[tjfdesmo]

I don't think our Ram's tranny's work any different than any of the other newer ones. They are made to run in the highest gear possible for fuel mileage. I have no problems with my 6.4 and 3.73's towing 8000+. I just plan my shifts and keep on truckin.

Yes and no. I was in the truck when my buddy pulled my old box trailer with his 1500 5.7/ZF/3.92, and it was remarkably better at being in the right gear at the right time. It was actually embarrassing.