545rfe

[Manump95]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been working on my truck since last year I rebuild the engine and installed a bigger cam which ran beautifully, first oil change a bit metallic but I was expecting it, now I had a transmission line blowed in the highway and slipped on 3rd, I stopped immediately and got it towed, I close the line put the transmission fluid, and now I still having the codes that shows on the picture, my question is my transmission toast? I started looking into a new second hand one,should I just try to drain fluid change sensor and try to fill it up again?

Thank for any advice and guidance

 

[Hagar1]

Do the codes keep coming back?

 

[Manump95]

Do the codes keep coming back?

Yes they do

 

[Ken226]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been working on my truck since last year I rebuild the engine and installed a bigger cam which ran beautifully, first oil change a bit metallic but I was expecting it, now I had a transmission line blowed in the highway and slipped on 3rd, I stopped immediately and got it towed, I close the line put the transmission fluid, and now I still having the codes that shows on the picture, my question is my transmission toast? I started looking into a new second hand one,should I just try to drain fluid change sensor and try to fill it up again?

Thank for any advice and guidance

It sounds like when the line blew, the loss of line pressure let the overdrive clutches slip until they burned up.

If I recall correctly, the 545rfe and 65rfe both use the OD clutches for 3rd gear as well.

Here is a description from another forum than may help:

545RFE No Third Gear (Direct)

2006 1500 4x4 5.7 545RFE Symptoms: Shifts from 1 to 2 normally then when it goes to shift to 3rd it neutrals. Will eventually set a P0733 code if you rev the motor. No other codes were set. This is not clutch slip, it is total freewheel neutral. Reverse is normal and you can't get to 4th or 5th...

www.ramforumz.com

May be a good opportunity to do an 8 speed swap:

65RFE to 8HP70 Swap , Lifted Truck Edition!

I used this thread to get me started https://www.ramforum.com/threads/8-speed-swap.180898/ My cost breakdown, And parts list. in Canadian Pesos! - I already have HP tuners ( not sure why anyone wouldn't ;)) - Im lifted 6.5" in the rear, so there's zero reason to get the 8 speed rear drive...

www.ramforum.com

 

[Burla]

If you have full coverage sometimes an item like this could be covered.


Fluid is now full? Do a hard reset and a quicklearn.

 

[Manump95]

It sounds like when the line blew, the loss of line pressure let the overdrive clutches slip until they burned up.

If I recall correctly, the 545rfe and 65rfe both use the OD clutches for 3rd gear as well.

Here is a description from another forum than may help:

545RFE No Third Gear (Direct)

2006 1500 4x4 5.7 545RFE Symptoms: Shifts from 1 to 2 normally then when it goes to shift to 3rd it neutrals. Will eventually set a P0733 code if you rev the motor. No other codes were set. This is not clutch slip, it is total freewheel neutral. Reverse is normal and you can't get to 4th or 5th...

www.ramforumz.com

May be a good opportunity to do an 8 speed swap:

65RFE to 8HP70 Swap , Lifted Truck Edition!

I used this thread to get me started https://www.ramforum.com/threads/8-speed-swap.180898/ My cost breakdown, And parts list. in Canadian Pesos! - I already have HP tuners ( not sure why anyone wouldn't ;)) - Im lifted 6.5" in the rear, so there's zero reason to get the 8 speed rear drive...

www.ramforum.com

I though about swapping to the 8trans but it will rise the price really quickly and I want to keep it low until I have reliable and I can spend the money on it, I will be installing a tranny anything that k should do to it before installing beside the obvious changing fluids and filter?

 

[Manump95]

If you have full coverage sometimes an item like this could be covered.


Fluid is now full? Do a hard reset and a quicklearn.

Fluid is now full I was thinking maybe a air got trapped some where? How can I do the relearn

 

[Burla]

First hard reset, then get a bi directional scan tool. If it is a 2011 it is unlocked, so you don't need a code from dealer.

It isn't like a coolant line, air should be minimal if you refilled and drove and then again checked fluid hot in neutral but of course the real worry with air is not trans but torque converter. Any air bubbles on dip stick?

 

[Ken226]

I though about swapping to the 8trans but it will rise the price really quickly and I want to keep it low until I have reliable and I can spend the money on it, I will be installing a tranny anything that k should do to it before installing beside the obvious changing fluids and filter?

Nope.

Follow Burla's advice above. Use a scan tool, or AlfaOBD or something. Do a RFE quicklearn:




If that doesn't work, then start looking for a shop or local transmission rebuilder with a good reputation.

If you can do the removal/install yourself, a local rebuilder can get you up and running for a reasonable cost.

 

[Manump95]

First hard reset, then get a bi directional scan tool. If it is a 2011 it is unlocked, so you don't need a code from dealer.

It isn't like a coolant line, air should be minimal if you refilled and drove and then again checked fluid hot in neutral but of course the real worry with air is not trans but torque converter. Any air bubbles on dip stick?

I will check if that the case how should I do to remove the air?

 

[Manump95]

Nope.

Follow Burla's advice above. Use a scan tool, or AlfaOBD or something. Do a RFE quicklearn:

View attachment 578614


If that doesn't work, then start looking for a shop or local transmission rebuilder with a good reputation.

If you can do the removal/install yourself, a local rebuilder can get you up and running for a reasonable cost.

I have a topdon as600 I don’t think I can relearn the tranny with it but I will find somenthing

 

[Burla]

I will check if that the case how should I do to remove the air?

I don't think air would be the immediate issue here, but you can lose the trans in seconds of the converter went dry, if that is the case it is fatal and probably need of rebuild. You found out this issue not from light but the trans started slipping? just fyi how many miles on RFE?

 

[Manump95]

I don't think air would be the immediate issue here, but you can lose the trans in seconds of the converter went dry, if that is the case it is fatal and probably need of rebuild. You found out this issue not from light but the trans started slipping? just fyi how many miles on RFE?

The tranny started to slip a bit earlier that day and 25km after I lost all pressure from it

 

[Ken226]

The tranny started to slip a bit earlier that day and 25km after I lost all pressure from it

Springing a leak results in a loss of line pressure. The line pressure is what holds the clutch plates together while driving.

If the clutch plates slip, they start burn up. They longer they slip, the more they burn up.

Check the fluid. Is it nasty? Black? Stink?

 

[HemiLonestar]

It sounds like when the line blew, the loss of line pressure let the overdrive clutches slip until they burned up.

If I recall correctly, the 545rfe and 65rfe both use the OD clutches for 3rd gear as well.

Here is a description from another forum than may help:

545RFE No Third Gear (Direct)

2006 1500 4x4 5.7 545RFE Symptoms: Shifts from 1 to 2 normally then when it goes to shift to 3rd it neutrals. Will eventually set a P0733 code if you rev the motor. No other codes were set. This is not clutch slip, it is total freewheel neutral. Reverse is normal and you can't get to 4th or 5th...

www.ramforumz.com

May be a good opportunity to do an 8 speed swap:

65RFE to 8HP70 Swap , Lifted Truck Edition!

I used this thread to get me started https://www.ramforum.com/threads/8-speed-swap.180898/ My cost breakdown, And parts list. in Canadian Pesos! - I already have HP tuners ( not sure why anyone wouldn't ;)) - Im lifted 6.5" in the rear, so there's zero reason to get the 8 speed rear drive...

www.ramforum.com

2 prime, that's why full throttle upshifts are especially detrimental if the torque limiting is turned down.

 

[Manump95]

The tranny started to slip a bit earlier that day and 25km after I lost all pressure from it

It was 246000km

Springing a leak results in a loss of line pressure. The line pressure is what holds the clutch plates together while driving.

If the clutch plates slip, they start burn up. They longer they slip, the more they burn up.

Check the fluid. Is it nasty? Black? Stink?

 

[Manump95]

It was no fluid at all lol, the dipstick tube smelled like burned clutch but nothing crazy. So I was praying that was only the pressure lost problem

 

[Burla]

If you do go for new or rebuilt transmission, make sure it includes new torque converter. Maybe you can get it back, dunno how from my end.

 

[Manump95]

If you do go for new or rebuilt transmission, make sure it includes new torque converter. Maybe you can get it back, dunno how from my end.

I ordered a high stall converter already, is anything I should while rebuilding the tranny or getting a second hand one?

 

[Burla]

I ordered a high stall converter already, is anything I should while rebuilding the tranny or getting a second hand one?

The weaknesses in the RFE is valve body, this is a great video. They sell a plate, you sound like a guy that wants the best, so a plate instead of a gasket would be the way to go. Also can look into GM solenoid upgrade. I don't know if sharadon still builds them, they are a good source for valve bodies.

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

Now, many guys will say upgrade to the 8 speed, rick aka wildone will chime in or I'll call him. I have no info on this, I like the RFE, but I admit I am in the small camp on that. Since you bought the converter sounds like you are just replacing or rebuilding RFE?

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