Gear selectors on my Rebel's steering wheel are causing only downshift

[shagya]

Since today BOTH gearselectors ( - & +) on the steering wheel do shift ONLY down to LOWER gears.
When I push the +, it takes even the next lower gear also. I had to choose N and then D again for driving towards. Never had that before. I stopped the truck, turned off the engine and started it again more times, hoping to reset the failure, but did not help to solve the problem.
Without manual manipulation the transmission is working well in the D position.
Is it possible to repair by software? Or must I change the unit?
We don't have many professionals for RAM in our country, so I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks
Zsolt, Hungary

 

[crash68]

I would start by replacing the switch as it's most likely transmitting the wrong information. The steering wheel buttons work via a communication bus.

 

[Wild one]

Did you try pulling the negative battery post to see if a battery reset does anything, i agree with Crash,it's probably the switch,but pulling the battery posts might be worth a try before digging into the switch.

 

[shagya]

Did you try pulling the negative battery post to see if a battery reset does anything, i agree with Crash,it's probably the switch,but pulling the battery posts might be worth a try before digging into the switch.

OK good idea, gonna try it today...
The issue begun after a remote start what I not often do. Maybe this is responsoble for a malfunction of the software.(?)

 

[crash68]

The issue begun after a remote start what I not often do. Maybe this is responsoble for a malfunction of the software.(?)

Remote starting the vehicle wouldn't have caused this problem. If it's a glitch it would have happened any way the vehicle was started.

 

[Jeepwalker]

I'd manipulate the switches back and fourth about a hundred (or 200) times ..in the driveway (truck off). Dust and minor surface oxidation can cause flake-out of switches. Real common on vehicles, esp with switches which don't get used a whole lot.

The +/- switches on my Ram's stalk were the same way. I basically did as above and they've been good for a couple years now. Doesn't cost a dime to try.

The other thing would be (after manipulating the switches), to pull the steering wheel and inspect the contacts, and/or the wiring connector under the steering column. And maybe wiggle all fuses.

 

[shagya]

So gentlemen! I replay today after just two days without electricity and internet after a big storm on monday which I've never seen before in the last 30 years.

I pulled of the negativ pole of the battery for few hours. The switch on the steering wheel is working well again !!!
Thanks !

 

[mikeru]

So gentlemen! I replay today after just two days without electricity and internet after a big storm on monday which I've never seen before in the last 30 years.

I pulled of the negativ pole of the battery for few hours. The switch on the steering wheel is working well again !!!
Thanks !

Hey, it usually works with computers (did you try turning it off and back on again?), why not a truck?

Thanks for following up.

 

[Dean2]

Even though the switch is working again, open the engine fuse box and push down GENTLY on all the fuses. I bet you find quite a few that are loose. Both my Jeep and my Ram had about 60% of the fuses not completely seated. This has been known to create all sorts of electrical gremlins, especially on rough roads.

 

[shagya]

Hey, it usually works with computers (did you try turning it off and back on again?), why not a truck?

Thanks for following up.

You're right. I will know when a similar issue is happing again.

 

[shagya]

Even though the switch is working again, open the engine fuse box and push down GENTLY on all the fuses. I bet you find quite a few that are loose. Both my Jeep and my Ram had about 60% of the fuses not completely seated. This has been known to create all sorts of electrical gremlins, especially on rough roads.

Good idea Dean. Thanks, will control and do it...electrical gremlins are treacherous and spiteful in any devices. Fuse box is a weak spot of the RAM anyway because of moisture.

 

[Treburkulosis]

Well looks like I need to try this as well. Mine all together went out about 15k miles ago. I finally got the tow haul mode button replaced, so I have just been doing that.

 

[shagya]

Remote starting the vehicle wouldn't have caused this problem. If it's a glitch it would have happened any way the vehicle was started.

So I'm reassured. Remote start is interesting for suprises as demo of the rumble sound of the AWE exhaust.
Unexpected growl of a parking V8 RAM where nobody is siting inside.
RAMs are very rare in our country. We mostly give hand signes or beam flash each other like motorbike riders if an other US car is coming against.

 

[crash68]

RAMs are very rare in our country.

Being in the Detroit area, I was at an intersection and there was 10 Ram trucks stopped at the same light once.
I'm also within several miles of the assembly plant where they are built, the holding lots will sometimes have a few thousand stacked up waiting for delivery.

 

[shagya]

Being in the Detroit area, I was at an intersection and there was 10 Ram trucks stopped at the same light once.
I'm also within several miles of the assembly plant where they are built, the holding lots will sometimes have a few thousand stacked up waiting for delivery.

I'm getting envious reading this...but in other hand here a RAM is here very spezial, so we considered individualists and saluting each other in big US trucks (but also in JEEP Wranglers) on the road like motorbike riders. (I ride an Indian Dark Horse too.) All other type of smaller trucks (Navarra etc.) are common, (everybody's wehicle here).
Unfortunatelly the gear selector does not shift to upper gears. Tried with pulling of the battery posts, but helped (reset) only a while. Problem started again after few miles. Have to change the gear switch panel on the steering wheel. Hopefully I can get the spare part from a dealership in Germany whitch is specialised for RAM trucks.

 

[crash68]

Unfortunatelly the gear selector does not shift to upper gears.

The Gear +/- buttons on the steering wheel from the factory do not force an up-shift in gearing. They're to limit how high of gear the transmission is allowed to shift up to. It is possible to get an aftermarket transmission tune that allows manual up/down shifting of the gears. https://greendieselengineering.com/product/ram-1500-hemi-transmission-tune/

 

[CanRebel]

The Gear +/- buttons on the steering wheel from the factory do not force an up-shift in gearing. They're to limit how high of gear the transmission is allowed to shift up to. It is possible to get an aftermarket transmission tune that allows manual up/down shifting of the gears. https://greendieselengineering.com/product/ram-1500-hemi-transmission-tune/

I'm thinking the OP doesn't really know what those are. Thinks they are like paddle shifters or manual mode, but they aren't as you mentioned.
They are gear limits, not shifting.

 

[shagya]

I'm thinking the OP doesn't really know what those are. Thinks they are like paddle shifters or manual mode, but they aren't as you mentioned.
They are gear limits, not shifting.

Yes I know they are only gear limiters, but pushing the gear + nevertheless should first "immediatelly indicate" the next higher gear on the dashboard and second "also work" in it after I short release throttle as in the past. But pushing gear + shifts also only down to lower gear immediatelly, like it does if pushing the gear - switch. This option on the steering wheel functioned very well on my Rebel since I own it till now. OK only in rare situations is it necessary to manipulate the perfect ZF8 automatic transmission. But it schould work if I want to.
Just recieved an offer from a german dealer RTR (Ram Truck Ranch) Solingen, not cheep but it has to be replaced.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Before buying the new part, you 'might' consider removing the button section and re-seating it in the odd case there's a poor electrical connection. And try re-seating the under-colume wires. Might not help, but you never know.

 

[shagya]

Before buying the new part, you 'might' consider removing the button section and re-seating it in the odd case there's a poor electrical connection. And try re-seating the under-colume wires. Might not help, but you never know.

Yep! Everything is possible...