5000 Rpms in Low Gear

[etbrown4]

My 3rd Ram Hemi. At 29k miles on the odometer, it acted freaky from a stop light and refused to shift with normal acelleration up to about 40 mph.

Pulled over, shifted to park then drive, and didn't reoccurr. Yet anyway.

Yes I did replace my 2016 tranny at 59k miles.

Anyone experienced this?

 

[etbrown4]

Especially strange because it happened 5 minutes into driving, and without touching shift knob.

Any ideas on cause?

 

[Curmudgeon]

Especially strange because it happened 5 minutes into driving, and without touching shift knob.

Any ideas on cause?

Well, not an auto mechanic but I have a couple questions anyway...

Your post mentions a 2016 and trans replacement, but under your avatar you show a 2024, so which are you having trouble with, and what is your current odometer reading?

Have you scanned for any codes, and if not, can you and let us know what they are? Have you noticed any noteworthy dash gauge readings (aside from RPM)?

Other than noticing what symptoms you are seeing and when, have you done anything to look into the issue, check trans fluid level, check battery to confirm it's condition, etc. (and check for codes)?

We have no access to your truck other than through you, so you have to be the "eyes and ears".

 

[ibike]

My 2015 Jeep sorta had a similar problem. Windows wouldn’t roll down. Shut the engine off. Started it back up. Windows worked fine ever since. That happened early maybe 15,000 miles on the odometer and when I sold it at 60,000 miles that window roll never happened again. Just a one off problem.

Computers!

 

[etbrown4]

Ok, so my '24 did this one time, and as' ibike' says, sure it could be a computer thing, and maybe a lot of other causes too.

Since there are probably a few million 5th gen rams out there by now, just wondering if others had this weird tranny NOT shifting event.

 

[etbrown4]

On another Ram site, about 5 owners, 2019 and later report the same trouble. No error codes, and all seemed to be good after switching to park then back in drive. All seem to have had it occur just once too.

Seems odd that no one on this forum seems to have heard of it???

 

[Curmudgeon]

On another Ram site, about 5 owners, 2019 and later report the same trouble. No error codes, and all seemed to be good after switching to park then back in drive. All seem to have had it occur just once too.

Seems odd that no one on this forum seems to have heard of it???

This most likely won't be very helpful, but here goes...

I bought my 2014 in July 2017 and have added over 105,000 of my own miles to the 20,000 it had when I bought it. I could probably list 50-100 things it has done *once* but never again. I never noted it or wrote it down. When the odd isolated incident occurs I tend to chalk it up to something I did without realizing it - and I don't remember it unless it happens repeatedly.

I very often read that "our truck are rolling computers" and we tend to have all the normal and crazy mechanical things happen, plus all the normal and crazy electronic things that could happen.

You've already checked for codes, so, maybe sunspots? It can be really hair-pulling trying to troubleshoot something that is intermittent, and any singular/isolated glitch can be even worse.

Good luck, drive it while whistling a happy tune!

 

[etbrown4]

OK, now it's occurred again. My personal mechanic believes it's an internal issue.

This time did the same thing except when I let off the throttle, it shifted.

Not good, and we wonder if this is a 1 tyranny problem?

 

[RamDiver]

OK, now it's occurred again. My personal mechanic believes it's an internal issue.

This time did the same thing except when I let off the throttle, it shifted.

Not good, and we wonder if this is a 1 tyranny problem?

Inspect and verify all connections to the TCM.
Take special care to verify the integrity of the grounds and B+ with a multimeter.

Confirm the B+ signal is clean of parasitics and at a suitable level.

.

 

[etbrown4]

I'll do it. Thanks.

My time may have come on this '24 Laramie Hemi which is #3 for me. Yes at 29k she's barely broke in and not one scratch. But I don't want to fight Ram again over a tranny and lost time, and I don't want to lose a motor generator and a few more months over that. So the temptation is high to cut her loose!

Rams long term inattention to keeping mgus in stock is just blatantly the middle finger to their customers and we don't have to take it, or another bad tranny.

Ram cares is a farce.

 

[etbrown4]

Really? Nobody but 5 guys on another forum have had their 5th gen tranny stick in first gear, and I've now seen it twice in 2 weeks!!! Second time, I let off on the gas and it shifted just like a semiautomatic I drove from the 50s. Yep 50s. Just not supposed to happen.

Have to believe it's about to leave me on the side of the road, just like my 2016 did over and over. That one was bad clutches and warranty replacement at 59k.

Must be others experiencing this?????

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Really? Nobody but 5 guys on another forum have had their 5th gen tranny stick in first gear, and I've now seen it twice in 2 weeks!!! Second time, I let off on the gas and it shifted just like a semiautomatic I drove from the 50s. Yep 50s. Just not supposed to happen.

Have to believe it's about to leave me on the side of the road, just like my 2016 did over and over. That one was bad clutches and warranty replacement at 59k.

Must be others experiencing this?????

Just tossing this out there, but is the fluid level correct?

Perhaps have the dealership perform a proper ZF prescribed fluid check as per their green sheet instructions?

 

[GeauxinUp]

My guess is that you accidentally hit the gear limiter on the steering wheel

 

[etbrown4]

Geaux guessed wrong. NO limiter touched, but thanks.

Canuckram good suggestion. I asked Ram dealer but they refused due to no error code generated.

I'd rather set fire to the truck before I pay $500 they refuse to cover under warranty for the tranny at 29k miles. Ecoboost and tranny can burn together. Ram cares doesn't, and will not help.

As they say in France, Ramcares is as worthless as **** (boobs) on a bull.

 

[RamDiver]

Geaux guessed wrong. NO limiter touched, but thanks.

Canuckram good suggestion. I asked Ram dealer but they refused due to no error code generated.

I'd rather set fire to the truck before I pay $500 they refuse to cover under warranty for the tranny at 29k miles. Ecoboost and tranny can burn together. Ram cares doesn't, and will not help.

As they say in France, Ramcares is as worthless as **** (boobs) on a bull.

If you're the least bit concerned about the tranny, checking the fluid level sounds like the best idea.

This is highly annoying, but in the grand scheme, the cost would be extremely trivial.

Whether you and a friend do it or pay a trusted tranny shop.
I would insist on following along with the green sheet.

How many times have we heard this story?
A quart or more low from new.
Nobody could be this incompetent.

It's almost like FCA is attempting to financially recover by saving 1 jug of unicorn oil at a time.

F'ers!

.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

If you're the least bit concerned about the tranny, checking the fluid level sounds like the best idea.

This is highly annoying, but in the grand scheme, the cost would be extremely trivial.

Whether you and a friend do it or pay a trusted tranny shop.
I would insist on following along with the green sheet.

How many times have we heard this story?
A quart or more low from new.
Nobody could be this incompetent.

It's almost like FCA is attempting to financially recover by saving 1 jug of unicorn oil at a time.

F'ers!

.

^^^ THIS!!!

@etbrown4 - both of my trucks (19' & 23') were over a liter low on fluid, right from the factory.

My transmission's didn't feel right and were flaring & acting abnormal.

The dealership checked them per the "green sheet", and voila, they filled them to the correct ZF prescribed level and they have been perfect ever since. Fortunately for me I have a great dealership service department and Service Manager to work with. I'm sorry that you don't Bud.

However, go to a top tier local independent transmission shop, bring them a print off of the green sheet, pay a couple hundred dollars, and have it checked properly.

If in fact the transmission is low and it has to be topped up (ONLY use OEM MOPAR fluid as your truck is new and under warranty), then you can take that report and invoice to the Dealer Principal at the dealership and request payment for it.

 

[ibike]

My 3rd Ram Hemi. At 29k miles on the odometer, it acted freaky from a stop light and refused to shift with normal acelleration up to about 40 mph.

Pulled over, shifted to park then drive, and didn't reoccurr. Yet anyway.

Yes I did replace my 2016 tranny at 59k miles.

Anyone experienced this?

Yep mine just did it. Left the house and grandpa drove down the road just like always. Never would come outta first gear. Tried stopping and going to park and back to drive. Nope still wouldn’t shift. Shut the engine off and restarted and she shifted normal. Just a computer glitch like windows 98.

 

[RamDiver]

Yep mine just did it. Left the house and grandpa drove down the road just like always. Never would come outta first gear. Tried stopping and going to park and back to drive. Nope still wouldn’t shift. Shut the engine off and restarted and she shifted normal. Just a computer glitch like windows 98.

Is your truck also a 2024 model, like the OP's?

Or is your truck a 2020, as indicated in your avatar?

.

 

[ibike]

2020. 53,000 miles. It’s only done it once. I’ll be checking it soon. Was planning on changing the tranny fluid at 60,000 miles. Got the ppe pan to put on. Might change it early.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

2020. 53,000 miles. It’s only done it once. I’ll be checking it soon. Was planning on changing the tranny fluid at 60,000 miles. Got the ppe pan to put on. Might change it early.

I would change it early, were I you, good sir!!

I'd also install the @caulk04 transmission cooler bypass valve upgrade as well.
This will drop your trans temps by up to 30deg/c and your engine temps by up to 5deg/c as well.

Follow the green sheet instructions to a "T", too!!
Extremely important for our 8spd transmissions!!