2010 Ram 1500 Hemi transmission stuck in 4th - no codes

[whostorm05]

Hi All,

I purchased a scan tool from Amazon that supposedly should show transmission codes. I want to see if something is being stored for my 2010 Ram 1500 that intermittently will skip Drive and go into manual 4th gear (limp mode). This is highly intermittent. When it does it I noticed the digital read out for transmission temperature is --- .

When I scanned the only code I received was not related to the tranmission.

The scanner showed the following modules:

Powertrain control module, occupant restraint and anti lock brakes.

Anyone know if transmission codes would show up under Powertrain control module?

 

[WayneB63]

If the trans temp is reading --- the the thermistor for the transmission is most likely bad, it wont always set a code. Without knowing which trans you have I would guess its a 45/545rfe and its probably the solenoid pack, or its sometimes the wiring near the pcm that has rubbed through a bracket or a/c line causing erroneous readings. If it is the correct trans, there is a big connector on the drivers side of the trans, its a lever type, try carefully unplugging and re-plugging it and see if there is a connection problem with it first.

The reason it goes back to 4th its its trying to warm up the transmission
This is all just a guess btw from things I have seen.

 

[Burla]

RFE tends to loose over drive gears first, 2010 you have a 545, sounds like this is the case. The question is there some leakage with the VB or are the clutches gone. Your decision- do you replace the VB and the over drive pistons, or if it is clutch pack do a rebuild the entire unit. The VB is plug and play, you can buy all of the pistons seals and plates and stuff, and rebuild it fairly easily, drop pan not the entire tranny. Did you check the fluid, sometimes this can be the issue, if not, just for giggles buy a rfe valve body rebuild kit and see if it helps. In theory if you have to drop the transmission anyway to do clutches, you can get credit for VB already being done, but the way things go today maybe if you need clutches all the VB work if for nada, especially if you want that part of trans warranty work. If it were me, I'd do it anyhow for giggles, it might just work.

 

[Burla]

There are all kinds of kits, ones with pistons, ones with gaskets, ones with plates, or just new rings for oem pistons. The only danger is gasket or plate that requires exposing check balls, you don't want to mess up those locations, just be careful if you get a gasket or plate which address VB warpage, which is very likely in your case. Early 4 gens VB were not seasoned the same as older ones, 2012-14, so those were less likely to warp. You can get the most simple kits, but when VB is out if you see warpage between middle of VB, then get a new VB, or sand it flat and install gasket/plate.

 

[Burla]

this video from hemi395 worth a look... dont worry it is for 68, all the same for 545 or any rfe.

Product Overview: ATS 68RFE Valve Body and ATS Co-Pilot

Clint Cannon, President of ATS, describes the inherent weaknesses of the 68RFE (545RFE, too) valve body. This is a comprehensive overview of the numerous pro...

youtu.be

 

[Burla]

I think it is slipping and not true limp mode. I don't think you get drive back intermittently with true limp mode. Which would mean it is very likely psi issue, steaming from leaks in VB or clutches, dunno which one. 100 bucks and some elbow grease to find out with a cheap shift kit.

 

[whostorm05]

Burla, it happens immediately even on a cold start up and somehow decides if it's going to go into D or if it's going to go into limp mode. if it goes into drive it seems to drive absolutely fine and reports a valid transmission temperature. If it skips drive and goes into manual 4th gear I get no temp reading and it stays in 4th gear.

I'm just trying to get this ready for sale so I'm trying to get it to work again for as cheap as possible since I don't intend to keep the truck.

 

[Burla]

No Joke I had a transmission slipping and fixed it with auto rx, it's a cleaner. Funny the dude that bought it said it was a great truck a decade later, never had a trans issue, lol. I'd try a cleaner, if not auto rx try lubegard transmission fix. It is very possible it can fix it for a while, also checked the level?

 

[whostorm05]

I need to double check but I'm pretty sure I did and it looked good. I'll triple check it though.

 

[whostorm05]

I wonder if it's a bad ground. Just seems odd that I could start the truck cold and it not work, turn it off, wait a few minutes and turn it back on and it's fine - without ever putting it into gear - just turning it on and off again.

Any idea where the grounds would be?

 

[whostorm05]

I think I finally found a related code, B17BE - anyone seen that before? Google isn't helping much.

 

[whostorm05]

I decided to try pulling each plug to the PCM on the passenger side of the truck by the firewall. There were 4 plugs total.

The very first plug closest to the passenger side of the truck had visible water standing in it.

I've dried it up as best as I can and sprayed canned air into it. Now my question is where in the world did the water come from and is it in the PCM itself as well and not just the connector.

The other 3 connectors were bone dry.

Does anyone have a diagram which shows what all that very first plug is used for?

So far the oil pressure sensor is reading data again, but the transmission is still intermittently going into 4th.

 

[whostorm05]

I believe I found the pinout for connector 1 and the oil pressure switch info is for sure on that one. I didn't see anything that screamed transmission to me.

I'm wondering if there's internal water damage to the PCM.

Are they impossible to open to check for water?

 

[pacofortacos]

If the temp reads ---, I think limp in is the default mode. Which seems to be how yours is working, just have to find out why it intermittently reads --.

PCM should be sealed

 

[pacofortacos]

That code doesn't appear to be a valid code on the books I was looking at - though they are for a 2014.

 

[whostorm05]

So you think even though I found water in the first connector, chances are slim water made it into the PCM? I'd like to find a way to prove that.

 

[whostorm05]

Replaced my PCM and the transmission issue is now resolved.