2011 545RFE Transmission Rebuild Suggestions

[Chri_s]

So, I've got a 2011 Ram 1500 2x4 w/ the 5.7L & the 545RFE.

Currently the truck doesn't like upshifting or downshifting and it seems like 3rd gear. However, I'm looking for suggestions on where I should get a rebuild kit from, and if there's any specialty tools I'll need to do it. I've never rebuilt an automatic trans so it's a learning curve for me. Any advice is welcome, thanks in advance. Currently has 189k Miles & well maintained for the most part.

 

[jws123]

scan it with a good scanner for transmission codes.

 

[Chri_s]

scan it with a good scanner for transmission codes.

Anytime I scan It never shows TCM in general

 

[jws123]

Anytime I scan It never shows TCM in general

are you using a cheap scanner or a regular scan tool

 

[Hagar1]

So, I've got a 2011 Ram 1500 2x4 w/ the 5.7L & the 545RFE.

Currently the truck doesn't like upshifting or downshifting and it seems like 3rd gear. However, I'm looking for suggestions on where I should get a rebuild kit from, and if there's any specialty tools I'll need to do it. I've never rebuilt an automatic trans so it's a learning curve for me. Any advice is welcome, thanks in advance. Currently has 189k Miles & well maintained for the most part.

I would take it to a dealer to get a scan and a report. It may very well be some glitch in the electronics more so than hard parts. Working from 20 year old memory but you will likely need a set of slide hammers to pull the pump and a tool for compressing the various clutch drums. Oh, and probably a few sets of snapring pliers.
But,get a good diagnostic first.

 

[jws123]

Side note if it doesn wind up needing a trans its cheaper and easier to swap one from a junk yard or a wreck off FB

 

[Chri_s]

are you using a cheap scanner or a regular scan tool

I've got this one from Oreilys that did a full diagnostic scan. and it isn't letting me scan the TCM. Has the option to. Just wont let me because something in the truck.

 

[Chri_s]

I would take it to a dealer to get a scan and a report. It may very well be some glitch in the electronics more so than hard parts. Working from 20 year old memory but you will likely need a set of slide hammers to pull the pump and a tool for compressing the various clutch drums. Oh, and probably a few sets of snapring pliers.
But,get a good diagnostic first.

Thank you

 

[jws123]

I've got this one from Oreilys that did a full diagnostic scan. and it isn't letting me scan the TCM. Has the option to. Just wont let me because something in the truck.

try alph obd or have a shop scan your truck

 

[Burla]

189k miles it probably needs a total rebuild, but you can do valve body and solenoid from the bottom without dropping the trans. It might perk that right up, punchers chance anyhow. You can always drop it after that if needed and finish with clutch packs. 3rd gear is a problem though usually, when middle gears go you may need that rebuild.

good watch

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

 

[Ken226]

I've got this one from Oreilys that did a full diagnostic scan. and it isn't letting me scan the TCM. Has the option to. Just wont let me because something in the truck.

Alfa nor any other scan tool will let you scan the TCM in a 2011 1500 because it doesn't have a TCM and a cheap obd2 code reader won't pull the more advanced codes anyway.

The 545rfe and 65rfe transmissions are controlled by the PCM. In Alfa, you connect to the PCM (engine computer) and the "advanced diagnostics" tab has the transmission tests in addition to the engine tests.

In a sense, it kinda has a TCM, but it is integrated with the ECM, combined into one, and called the PCM (powertrain control module).

AlfaOBD can read all of the transmission codes from the PCM.