First shift with cold engine = lurches.

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Tim Garceau

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This is another thing that was subtle but eliminated from a custom JG trans tune.
 

Mbrigh3

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mine does it too but 2nd into 3rd. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the valve body. That being said it still does it. so i gave up
 

16RamHemi

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mine does it too but 2nd into 3rd. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the valve body. That being said it still does it. so i gave up

very interesting. I have a low rpm slip in 3rd gear where rpms go from around 1000 to 1700 then to 1500 where it starts to accelerate. Like if someone were to ride their clutch in a manual before letting the clutch out fully.

Thats half of the problems with this trans......FCA thinks its lifetime, even though the maker says its not....its near impossible finding someone with experience with them. Most treat them like a throwaway. There are a couple companys that build transmissions for our trucks. But to get some service or diagnosis before it becomes a replacement or rebuild is nearly impossible. If a dealer thinks fluid is lifetime, i dont have ANY confidence in them diagnosing an issue. Im sure they would love me to pay $100 plus an hour. im def not.
 

16RamHemi

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This is another thing that was subtle but eliminated from a custom JG trans tune.

to me, this would suggest it is in the stock programming then. Why on earth would they think this hard 1-2 shift is a good idea?
 

Tim Garceau

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to me, this would suggest it is in the stock programming then. Why on earth would they think this hard 1-2 shift is a good idea?

There are a lot of unexplained inefficiencies that were created by FCA software/engineers, drive an Alpha/Aston Martin/Rolls-Royce or even a BMW 5/6/7 series with the ZF8HP7 to understand how poorly this was launched for the light truck...or just get a custom trans tune and enjoy what is missing.

It is still the pinnacle of the market in the 5th Gen revision, but no where near it's full potential.
 
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hammy56

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This morning I tried something interesting...

I started my truck as usual...always let it run at least until the rpm's come down below 1000 (20-30 seconds or so). Clicked into drive, got the usual hesitation/lunge as it shifted into 2nd. Then I came to a complete stop and started driving again- and the shift into 2nd was butter.

Which leads me to believe its a programming thing.

As I stated in my original post, Im not concerned (especially now I know its fairly common), because after that initial shift, the trans is great.
Just wanted be be sure it wasn't an indication of an imminent issue.
 

jbowen52

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My '14 Bighorn with 3.6/8 speed does that every morning. I just try to avoid a fast start first thing. After the first shift everything is fine. Probably relates to circulating fluid in the hydraulics within the transmission. I have tried waiting a bit after starting, but seems to make no difference.
 

Ramdy

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My 2018 3.6 8 speed Tradesman with 11,000 miles does something similar. I start it in the morning, let the idle come down to 1000 rpm or below and put it in gear--reverse or drive, it doesn't matter. There's a clank and a significant lurch forward or backward, depending. Then, when driving off slowly the truck will accelerate on its own up to 2000 rpm and lurch into 2nd. Shifts continue to be rough until the transmission warms up a bit. Then everything is smooth--no clanks or lurches. It is very disturbing and impossible to ignore.
 

RamCares

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My 2018 3.6 8 speed Tradesman with 11,000 miles does something similar. I start it in the morning, let the idle come down to 1000 rpm or below and put it in gear--reverse or drive, it doesn't matter. There's a clank and a significant lurch forward or backward, depending. Then, when driving off slowly the truck will accelerate on its own up to 2000 rpm and lurch into 2nd. Shifts continue to be rough until the transmission warms up a bit. Then everything is smooth--no clanks or lurches. It is very disturbing and impossible to ignore.

Are you thinking about getting your dealer involved? Send me a direct message if we can be of any assistance with that process.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist
 

Mbrigh3

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Mine through a code last week 3rd time in a year. It said incorrect gear ratio. Turns out I need a new transmission at 38k miles. That hard shift that I was feeling was not supposed to happen. But hey they are replacing it for free and I get my truck back next week. Until then I'm in a 2019 classic.

My three visits
First reflash ecu
Second new valve body
Now my third is finally a new transmission.

I dont regret buying my ram because its all been free but damn. Its sure hard to shake that "see thats why you dont buy dodge" lol

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
 

guru1ofatl

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Part of the software in the 8 speed TCM establishes cold start shift scheduling. Based on some experimenting in this area it seems that the factory settings are responsible for this and can be adjusted.

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