Possible transmission issue?

RamGuy110 · May 18, 2022

On my 2022 3500 with the 68rfe, now at 2k on the odometer, I'm noticing when accerlerating between gears 2-4 the transmission will get quite loud almost like it isn't shifting. Its slow to shift. Its very close to if you were accelerating but had the gear selector set to 2nd or 3rd and were tryin to accelerate. It just gets really loud, but doesn't do it every time. It consistently does a few times per day though. Any ideas? My 2021 and 2020 were both 68rfe's and I never heard that before.

HEMIMANN · May 18, 2022

Sounds like a bad valve body, either the solenoid or the 2nd to 3rd shift piston. RFE valve bodies are notorious for insufficient design strength and rigidity - the warp, leak, and wear prematurely. You should be under warranty for this.

RamGuy110 · May 18, 2022

Will this strand me if I cannot get into the dealer right away?

HEMIMANN · May 18, 2022

RamGuy110 said:
Will this strand me if I cannot get into the dealer right away?

It may continue to worsen if it's a defective shift plunger. You'd be stuck in 2nd gear. You have to decide if that risk is higher than your other priorities.

RamGuy110 · May 18, 2022

I can't get into the dealer until June 8

HEMIMANN · May 18, 2022

Ask them to take the damage risk, then. Or insist it is a "vehicle down" emergency. If the Dealer remains unhelpful, contact the District Manager (back of your Owner Manual.

@RamCares - I'd suggest contacting this member to guide him on his powertrain failure.

RamGuy110 · May 18, 2022

I'll call the dealer tomorrow. Last time back in February in my 21' Cummins they hooked me up with a 2500 cummins from Enterprise. Other dealers wouldn't take that step and I ended up having to pay for the loaner from Enterprise out of pocket, so I try to stick with this dealer.

This truck is used for work so it is a high priority.

GTyankee · May 19, 2022

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Dinky · May 19, 2022

My 22' 3500 68rfe did that as well. First 4k I had funny shifting. Now I am at 6500 and it's awesome. I eliminated the inline heat valve but I don't think that had anything to do with it. Installed that valve at your own discretion but it did reduce my trans temp by 30deg at all ranges.

RamCares · May 19, 2022

RamGuy110 said:
On my 2022 3500 with the 68rfe, now at 2k on the odometer, I'm noticing when accerlerating between gears 2-4 the transmission will get quite loud almost like it isn't shifting. Its slow to shift. Its very close to if you were accelerating but had the gear selector set to 2nd or 3rd and were tryin to accelerate. It just gets really loud, but doesn't do it every time. It consistently does a few times per day though. Any ideas? My 2021 and 2020 were both 68rfe's and I never heard that before.

Greetings,
We certainly understand why this may be concerning. We kindly recommend having your dealer inspect this concern for you as they are in the best position to assist. If you do work with your dealer, we would be more than happy to provide you with additional support via private messages.

Rob
Ram Cares

RamCares · May 19, 2022

HEMIMANN said:
Ask them to take the damage risk, then. Or insist it is a "vehicle down" emergency. If the Dealer remains unhelpful, contact the District Manager (back of your Owner Manual.

@RamCares - I'd suggest contacting this member to guide him on his powertrain failure.

Thank you for the tag!

Rob
Ram Cares

RamGuy110 · May 22, 2022

Dinky said:
My 22' 3500 68rfe did that as well. First 4k I had funny shifting. Now I am at 6500 and it's awesome. I eliminated the inline heat valve but I don't think that had anything to do with it. Installed that valve at your own discretion but it did reduce my trans temp by 30deg at all ranges.

Have you owned a 68rfe before? My 21, 20, 19, never did that.

Dinky · May 22, 2022

RamGuy110 said:
Have you owned a 68rfe before? My 21, 20, 19, never did

I have not this is my first truck with it. I know people that have owned them and I know the 68rfe has been problematic but know people that have had zero issues. I do know they have struggled to get the program down for the 68 and it's finicky. My 2022 did have some weird shift points first 4,000 miles but now it's consistent and shifts solid but smooth.

Burla · May 22, 2022

Use your throttle to help you shift until you get it looked at. When you expect shift point ease off throttle. Try tow haul as well, might even solve it until you get it looked at.

RamGuy110 · May 22, 2022

I've never had an issue with any 68rfe that I've owned and I work them. This is my first time having a possible issue. I haven't noticed it this weekend. This coming week though, its going to get worked hard, so we'll see.

Dusty · May 24, 2022

Are there any stored codes?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 70140miles

jejb · May 25, 2022

Dinky said:
I have not this is my first truck with it. I know people that have owned them and I know the 68rfe has been problematic

Unless the truck is modified, the 68rfe seems a pretty solid tranny. I've been following Ram forums for a couple of years now and it's pretty unusual to see an issue with it in a stock truck. Now, the 66rfe seems to have more than it's fair share of issues.

HEMIMANN · May 25, 2022

jejb said:
Unless the truck is modified, the 68rfe seems a pretty solid tranny. I've been following Ram forums for a couple of years now and it's pretty unusual to see an issue with it in a stock truck. Now, the 66rfe seems to have more than it's fair share of issues.

They're the same transmission except for an added clutch pack and some other minor differences.

jejb · May 26, 2022

HEMIMANN said:
They're the same transmission except for an added clutch pack and some other minor differences.

That may well be, but it does change the fact the the 68RFE seems a much more reliable tranny.

HEMIMANN · May 26, 2022

jejb said:
That may well be, but it does change the fact the the 68RFE seems a much more reliable tranny.

It shouldn't, is my point. The valve bodies in both are poorly designed and subject to poor performance. They also had recalls for bad solenoids in previous model years. There were no issues with the planetary gearsets or clutches (sans OD clutch if powered up) I am aware of.

I would have upgraded my valve body by now if I'd have known upgrades were available before I tuned my PCM.

Possible transmission issue?

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