2014 5.7 8spd with transmission issues

[Ramdan32]

Hope it’s not a duplicate topic!

I have a 2014 ran 1500 5.7ltr with an 8spd automatics transmission. I have 150k on it and i have had an issue with my transmission. Over the last year+ I have had an rpm jump slightly when driving at a consistent speed (doesn’t matter the speed) I also have, lately, a light shutter when at a slower speed and accelerating. My dealer told me that when they tested the trans fluid it was black and 10/10 times mopar will confirm that it’s a transmission that is going bad.

I am wondering if anyone has done anything other than replacing the transmission that helped in a similar situation ? Transmission flush and filter change, torque convert work or anything ?

 

[Wild one]

Hope it’s not a duplicate topic!

I have a 2014 ran 1500 5.7ltr with an 8spd automatics transmission. I have 150k on it and i have had an issue with my transmission. Over the last year+ I have had an rpm jump slightly when driving at a consistent speed (doesn’t matter the speed) I also have, lately, a light shutter when at a slower speed and accelerating. My dealer told me that when they tested the trans fluid it was black and 10/10 times mopar will confirm that it’s a transmission that is going bad.

I am wondering if anyone has done anything other than replacing the transmission that helped in a similar situation ? Transmission flush and filter change, torque convert work or anything ?

If the fluids black and burnt,she's probably toast.You can pick up low mile used ones fairly cheap.Try to find a 13 or 14 8speed then it's a bolt in with out any programming,15 and later used a differant tcm and you'll have to have it programmed or swap your 14 tcm into the used transmission

 

[Burla]

Since it has 150k on it and it hasn't been maintained, if it were me before I did anything I would dump this ester cleaner in there. I had an eo4d tranny that simply would not shift up and was slipping, I dumped this in and it was all the way fixed. Sold the vehicle and the guy hit me up years later to say it was the best vehicle he ever had. IF it works, then invest in a fluid flush. I would do a dyi flush which is no easy task with the 8 speed, but I wouldn't pay dealer flush money on this as the age and burnt fluid makes that a poor choice as pricing for this service is often over a grand.

 

[NCRaineman]

Did you have the fluid and filter changed between 50k & 75k as the manufacturer recommends? My guess is probably not. It's not an eternal fluid, I don't care what Stellantis says. If you don't do your maintenance it's not going to last. Changing the fluid now might help for a bit, but there's likely internal damage now which will require a rebuild.

These are German transmissions. They work well but are more maintenance intensive than the American units most of us are used to.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Handful of fine sawdust and flip er'

 

[EdGs]

The fluid of the 8 speed turns dark very fast IIRC. It all depends if it is burnt or not.

This is my fluid at 108k miles vs. new Mopar fluid:

I now have 197k on my '15 SLT.

I personally would only use OE fluid, especially if you have a warranty in play, but OE fluid is $15 - $20 per qt.

People on this forum have used Valvoline MaxLife with good results.

You will also need a new pan as the filter is built in. There are other pan/filter options available, your call.

I might even be tempted to just do a drain and fill without changing the pan/filter, just to see if there's any improvement. My filter wasn't that bad at 108k, but I don't know what your trans has done in it's life.

There is also a specific procedure for the drain and fill on the 8 speed:

Compliments of @Wild one.


On a drain and fill, you'll only get out ~5-1/2 qts, so a few drain and fills with some driving in between are needed to get mostly new fluid in there.

If you can DIY, its not super-hard to do, just time consuming. Lots of threads on here, ask if you have questions.

My dealer experiences have been they've tried to tell me stuff that was not true. Not all dealers are bad, just I am very much a skeptic, and I've learned to DIY as much as I can.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Ramdan32]

Did you have the fluid and filter changed between 50k & 75k as the manufacturer recommends? My guess is probably not. It's not an eternal fluid, I don't care what Stellantis says. If you don't do your maintenance it's not going to last. Changing the fluid now might help for a bit, but there's likely internal damage now which will require a rebuild.

These are German transmissions. They work well but are more maintenance intensive than the American units most of us are used to.

I was told its a “fill for life transmission” so no, no maintenance was done

 

[Wild one]

I was told its a “fill for life transmission” so no, no maintenance was done

The thing they don't tell you is Ma Mopars version of lifetime isn't the same as our version is.Mopars version of lifetime is between 75,000 and 100,000 miles,then they expect to sell you another vehicle
ZF reconmends a service on the 8 speeds between 50,000 and 80,000 miles or every 8 years if you don't make it to those milege numbers.
No fluid lasts forever,from antifreeze to transmission fluid

 

[Ramdan32]

The thing they don't tell you is Ma Mopars version of lifetime isn't the same as our version is.Mopars version of lifetime is between 75,000 and 100,000 miles,then they expect to sell you another vehicle
ZF reconmends a service on the 8 speeds between 50,000 and 80,000 miles or every 8 years if you don't make it to those milege numbers.
No fluid lasts forever,from antifreeze to transmission fluid

I did not know that but I figured nothing is forever, except death and taxes.

 

[caulk04]

Every fluid in your vehicle is 'fill for life'. If you never change it, it'll last as long as the component it's in.

 

[NCRaineman]

I was told its a “fill for life transmission” so no, no maintenance was done

Sadly a lot of people fell for that line of
BS and had to learn an expensive lesson.

The vehicle's "lifetime" according to the manufacturer is as long as the warranty lasts. Because after that point it becomes the owner's problem and not theirs if something breaks. Yeah, it's an underhanded thing to do. That's the world we live in now.

 

[rpr]

I also have a 2014 with an 8-speed. I’m on my 4th transmission. Similar symptoms as yours each time plus occasionally violent false neutrals while traveling at highway speed. After the last replacement I still had the same issues. I convinced them to replace the tranny cooler since I noticed most symptoms only occurred over 200 degrees F, and it occasionally creeped up to 250 degrees. Those temps don’t sound very high but that was apparently the source of all my issues. Even though the shop mgr said they’re “supposed” to replace the tranny cooler when they replace the tranny, it seems like they didn't.

I’ve had no issues since the tranny cooler was replaced.

 

[Ken226]

I also have a 2014 with an 8-speed. I’m on my 4th transmission. Similar symptoms as yours each time plus occasionally violent false neutrals while traveling at highway speed. After the last replacement I still had the same issues. I convinced them to replace the tranny cooler since I noticed most symptoms only occurred over 200 degrees F, and it occasionally creeped up to 250 degrees. Those temps don’t sound very high but that was apparently the source of all my issues. Even though the shop mgr said they’re “supposed” to replace the tranny cooler when they replace the tranny, it seems like they didn't.

I’ve had no issues since the tranny cooler was replaced.

4th transmission?

Where are you getting the transmissions that they are using? Are these new Mopar transmissions? Rebuilt from places like Frasier or Jasper, or something else?

 

[Wild one]

4th transmission?

Where are you getting the transmissions that they are using? Are these new Mopar transmissions? Rebuilt from places like Frasier or Jasper, or something else?

Ma Mopars "new" transmissions don't come with a "new" thermal management unit,they expect you to re-use your existing thermal unit,and if the thermostat inside it is sticking,it'll take out a new transmission in short order.But to go through 4 transmissions,before they finally replaced the thermal management unit,doesn't say much for the quality of the techs working on the truck

 

[rpr]

All of the trannies were replaced by my local Chrysler dealer, under Chrysler’s Lifetime Warranty. They were all remanufactured except for the first replacement which was actually a new 2015 model (my truck is a 2014). Failed anyway…

 

[Tominator223]

If it smells like varnish it’s burnt. If it’s dark & smells like trans fluid , it may just need changed. I wouldn’t flush one over 40-50thousand miles. Just filter & fluid. You could still do an additive.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

If it smells like varnish it’s burnt. If it’s dark & smells like trans fluid , it may just need changed. I wouldn’t flush one over 40-50thousand miles. Just filter & fluid. You could still do an additive.

No additives at all.
No flushing; spill & fill is best.

Either MOPAR fluid or MaxLife fluid.
OEM filter, too, or a PPE upgraded pan with the replaceable filter.

Follow the instructions to a "T" on how to properly change the fluid/filter on the 8-spd transmission.
This is very important!

 

[NCRaineman]

But to go through 4 transmissions,before they finally replaced the thermal management unit,doesn't say much for the quality of the techs working on the truck

That's how it goes these days. When the second trans failed under warranty that should have been a clue to the service department that the problem was not in the unit itself.

As I've said before, the idiots are in charge. COVID sent a lot of experienced older workers into retirement and DEI meant new hires have to fill a quota based on what color their skin is and whether they wear a bra or not. Actually having knowledge or experience in the job is secondary to meeting "workplace diversity" quotas.

 

[Marshall]

I was told its a “fill for life transmission” so no, no maintenance was done

I think they mean life of the warranty after that we don't care

 

[caulk04]

I also have a 2014 with an 8-speed. I’m on my 4th transmission. Similar symptoms as yours each time plus occasionally violent false neutrals while traveling at highway speed. After the last replacement I still had the same issues. I convinced them to replace the tranny cooler since I noticed most symptoms only occurred over 200 degrees F, and it occasionally creeped up to 250 degrees. Those temps don’t sound very high but that was apparently the source of all my issues. Even though the shop mgr said they’re “supposed” to replace the tranny cooler when they replace the tranny, it seems like they didn't.

I’ve had no issues since the tranny cooler was replaced.

There's really no reason for these trans to ever see north of 200º. That's indicative of a failed/failing thermostat in the TMU (heater/cooler for trans) or very hard work. Once you're past 220, it's clearly a thermostat problem.

All you needed was a new thermostat (unavailable) or a bypass valve