8 Speed Tranny concerns.....???

[zogg]

My 2017 Ram Hemi 8 speed has been totally flawless for almost 24,000 miles.

However, since the weather is starting to get colder, there have been a couple of time (randomly) that the first time it shifts from first to second, there is a short hesitation and the engine rpm jumps and then it goes into gear.....

Afterward, it shifts perfectly with no issues for the next unknown amount of days.

My wife had a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that sort of did the same thing...

Anyone else experience this shifting issue???

 

[Joji91]

I get this too. There's numerous threads about it. I guess it's normal

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[Gary's Hemi]

This is normal for 8 speeds. My 2016 Ram & wife's 2015 Grand Cherokee both do it

 

[malatu]

I've owned my 1500 for a little over a year and I've accepted the fact that it does it and does it more often and more pronounced when it's cold. I have not accepted that it's normal.

Just because this "shift hesitation" is very, very common, doesn't mean it's normal!

Yes, it appears many 8 speed trannys do this. I have no technical knowledge that allows me to make the following statement so consider it an opinion: I contend it's not normal and it's a design flaw that causes this hesitation. Because it isn't a safety issue or no apparent damage is being done, it isn't acknowledged by the manufacturer as a "problem". If it is causing damage, Mopar will take care of it under warranty. After that, it's on your dime. And why wouldn't they take this approach. The alternative is to issue a costly recall.

Up to this point, know one has been able to explain why this hesitation happens or why it's normal! "Every so often on these forums, you can get someone who really knows what they are talking about (like a mopar design engineer or technician) that can explain why something does what it does or why something was designed to behave a certain way. I'd love to hear someone explain why this hesitation in gear shift is normal and whey the trany was designed to behave this way!

I can't begin to count the number of different cars I've driven (not necessarily owned) or driven in as a passenger. Can't ever remember this shift delay happening when it wasn't a tell-tail sign the tranny needed attention/repairs.

So yes, this issue is common in the 8 speed tranny, but in my opinion, it ain't normal!

 

[613RAMSPORT]

So my truck is currently at the dealership as they order me a new 8 speed transmission....It was really cold and truck slipped out of gear and I guess grinded enough that they decided to get me new one (truck has 9500kms)

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

Mine only does this if I use reverse first. When I back into my driveway for the evening and pull straight off on the morning it never does it.

 

[malatu]

So my truck is currently at the dealership as they order me a new 8 speed transmission....It was really cold and truck slipped out of gear and I guess grinded enough that they decided to get me new one (truck has 9500kms)

There ya go! That's a lot cheaper than issuing a recall! They're just waiting it out. Assuming it's a design problem, they'll figure it and re-design the tranny. In the meantime, they'll fix the trannys that have serious issues if still under warranty and call it a day. Why would they do anything different.

I'm not positive but they don't issue a recall unless it's a safety issue?????

 

[chrisbh17]

There ya go! That's a lot cheaper than issuing a recall! They're just waiting it out. Assuming it's a design problem, they'll figure it and re-design the tranny. In the meantime, they'll fix the trannys that have serious issues if still under warranty and call it a day. Why would they do anything different.

I'm not positive but they don't issue a recall unless it's a safety issue?????

If this is the 8HP70 we are all talking about, its not a Chrysler design or build. AFAIK it comes straight from ZF in Germany.

I thought I read somewhere (maybe even the owners manual) that says the first few shifts after letting the truck sit (overnight? 2 days? not sure) will be a little different than normal. Says its normal function of the learning process and after a few shifts it should go back to normal.

FWIW, my G37 has a 7 speed automatic and the ZF in my RAM 1500 performs FAR better. It might not be the fastest shifting thing in the universe, but it is a lot more consistent than the 7 speed in my G is.

 

[Tach_tech]

1st gear is held longer during cold temperatures to aid in transmission warm up. Yes it’s normal, sure it may be a design flaw or it may be designed to do exactly that. As far as I’ve been told from our tech line guys and engineers it’s normal and not an issue. Honestly if you’ve ever driven a automatic Cummins that is stone cold, you’d think the 8 speed is a dream. 1st gear is held even longer on the HD trucks with the 6 speed.

You don’t have to except that answer if you don’t want to but that’s the way it is, as far as I’ve been told. You also have to remember 1st gear is a shorter gear compared to a 6 speed. This shorter gear can/will cause shifts to be a little more felt when compared other vehicles. Another factor is the fluid temp itself. When clutches are applied the fluid is squeezed out from between the clutch discs, minute amounts are also evaporated as this happens. Since the fluid is more viscous due to the temperature it also takes longer for that fluid to move, which would cause increased shift times.

 

[atc06jh]

Mine does this as well like everyone else says. Since I've added the Carven I hear it a lot louder now! If it is an issue, then Ram should let us know. It is kinda embarrassing to be honest cause it makes it seem like something is wrong with the truck.

 

[Wild one]

If this is the 8HP70 we are all talking about, its not a Chrysler design or build. AFAIK it comes straight from ZF in Germany.

I thought I read somewhere (maybe even the owners manual) that says the first few shifts after letting the truck sit (overnight? 2 days? not sure) will be a little different than normal. Says its normal function of the learning process and after a few shifts it should go back to normal.

FWIW, my G37 has a 7 speed automatic and the ZF in my RAM 1500 performs FAR better. It might not be the fastest shifting thing in the universe, but it is a lot more consistent than the 7 speed in my G is.

The 8HP70 is ZF licenced,but they're built Stateside by Chrslyer,the little 8HP45 behind the Pentstar supposedly is still made in Germany.Only the early 8HP70's came from Germany is my understanding

 

[Joes1500]

Had a 14 eco diesel grand Cherokee with the 8sp. When I still lived up north. There were days that it was below zero out , and it would hang 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and as the trans fluid would get warmer , it would give you another gear until you had all 8.

Had a 94 1500 with the RE48 auto. Even though it was only technically a 4 speed it would do the same when it was below zero. Would not give you 4th , lockup , or overdrive in Till it was up to temperature.

 

[Boosted Motorsports]

My 2014 did this. Took it in and they replaced the whole mechatronics unit (Valvebody). Now it doesn't do it anymore...

 

[Rzrman328]

No issues here







Sorry guys...carry on

 

[Tach_tech]

The 8HP70 is ZF licenced,but they're built Stateside by Chrslyer,the little 8HP45 behind the Pentstar supposedly is still made in Germany.Only the early 8HP70's came from Germany is my understanding

You got it backwards. The 8HP45 is built stateside and also known by the Chrysler name of 845RE. FCA can make some changes to the 8HP45, like software etc. There’s also a quicklearn that can be performed for the 45 which speeds up the learning process. Where as the 70 does not have that feature since it’s not a ZF feature. The 8HP70 is still made in Germany. I know they were talking about manufacturing the 8HP70 stateside but as far as I know that hasn’t happened yet.

 

[mohemipar]

My old 1500 used to do the same thing. The HD Hemi will follow the same principle in cold weather. First will purposely hold longer for a short while. I dont mind it at all.

 

[Wild one]

You got it backwards. The 8HP45 is built stateside and also known by the Chrysler name of 845RE. FCA can make some changes to the 8HP45, like software etc. There’s also a quicklearn that can be performed for the 45 which speeds up the learning process. Where as the 70 does not have that feature since it’s not a ZF feature. The 8HP70 is still made in Germany. I know they were talking about manufacturing the 8HP70 stateside but as far as I know that hasn’t happened yet.

As far as I know,you got it backasswards Dan,lol


Chrysler Group LLC initially received the 8HP 8-speed automatic transmissions from the ZF plant in Saarbrucken, Germany. By 2013, in parallel with Chrysler Group, ZF had set up a new transmission production plant in Gray Court, South Carolina.[7] ZF Friedrichshafen and Chrysler Group have reached a supply and license agreement for the 8HP. Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company’s Kokomo Transmission Plant and the Kokomo Casting plant, production began in 2013.
2nd generation 8HP products were released starting in 2014. Efficiency improvements over the original design include a wider ratio spread of 7.8:1, reduced drag torque from the shift elements, reduction in required oil pump pressure, and broadened use of the coasting and start-stop systems.[8] ZF estimated fuel economy improvement over 1st generation 8HP kits to be 3%. Refinements were also made with respect to vibration.

 

[chrisbh17]

As far as I know,you got it backasswards Dan,lol


Chrysler Group LLC initially received the 8HP 8-speed automatic transmissions from the ZF plant in Saarbrucken, Germany. By 2013, in parallel with Chrysler Group, ZF had set up a new transmission production plant in Gray Court, South Carolina.[7] ZF Friedrichshafen and Chrysler Group have reached a supply and license agreement for the 8HP. Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company’s Kokomo Transmission Plant and the Kokomo Casting plant, production began in 2013.
2nd generation 8HP products were released starting in 2014. Efficiency improvements over the original design include a wider ratio spread of 7.8:1, reduced drag torque from the shift elements, reduction in required oil pump pressure, and broadened use of the coasting and start-stop systems.[8] ZF estimated fuel economy improvement over 1st generation 8HP kits to be 3%. Refinements were also made with respect to vibration.

There are 2 versions of the 8HP. The 45 is built here, the 70 is not.

Unless the window sticker on my '17 Big Horn is lying, my 8HP70 was built in Germany. I suppose its possible SOME are and SOME arent, but Im pretty sure the -70 variant is exclusively made in Germany.

 

[69GWC]

Mine works just fine .

 

[chrisbh17]

Mine hangs a few shifts when cold (thats what I call the long drawn out hovering at a "peak" RPM while shifting from 1st to 2nd). Not really worried about it, its not slipping (truck still gains speed), I just assumed it was because the transmission is cold.

Once it warms up it shifts cleanly and at "normal" shift points.

Just hoping my 2000 RPM vibration doesnt have to do with my transmission, since everything else about it seems good.