Transmission dropping into neutral randomly

[Svon89]

I am looking to see if anybody on here has had the experience of their transmission dropping to neutral randomly?
I have found one other person nearby that it has happened to as well, but not anybody else.
It has happened several times but unable to get a code on it, or replicate it. The other guy had the same issue, and also had no codes showing. It doesn’t happen from a stop, but after you start moving, about 10-20 feet, just enough to get you into the intersection and maybe coast to the side.

The dealer has tried several things, including replacing the transmission valve body. It happened after that.

Has anybody else had this happen? Was there a repair that worked? I am getting nowhere with Chrysler, they have told me that it’s their duty to repair the truck, but will not actually put in any kind of writing that the vehicle is actually safe to drive. I know lawsuits..... Dealer doesn’t know if the latest recommendation by star team will solve the problem. I am reaching out hoping someone actually has this and they found a fix. I was told this had not happened before, but I found a guy within 100 miles that had the same thing. After valve body replacement it was about 3000 miles before it happened again to me. He has not yet had it happen again.

 

[14hemiexpress]

I have had this. In the 8spd. My neighbour is a driveline tech at a ram dealer and I took it to him. I only had 3k miles didn't even have my first oil change. He did a reflash, quick learn and it cleared right up. I now have 10k miles. My truck did it a total of 4 or 5 times. Mostly in reverse but it did happen going forward once witch made me very nervous trying to pull out in traffic. The order of what repairs would of gone would of been reflash the valve body and even the shifter assembly its self. Hope this helps.

 

[Svon89]

Thank you. Around 2500 miles ago the dealer performed the tcm update, pcm update, and then replaced the valve body. This time they have pulled the camshaft to determine if the pin to the timing gear was partially sheared(it wasn't), and are now waiting on a fuel pump. I asked if the valve body could be bad again, and was told that the valve bodies are bad out of the box, not after a time in the vehicle.

At the time I had just had a horrible discussion with a Chrysler customer retention rep so I basically said fine and left. But since have had questions about how did the valve body go bad in the first place then??? Also, if it is the computer putting the transmission into neutral due to low fuel pressure, shouldn't there be a code for that?

I feel that the issue is deeper than the dealer is admitting, and it does cause safety concerns. If I were not worried about this happening with my kids in the vehicle I would be a little more understanding, but this issue has caused me to cancel 2 camping trips with my family. The whole reason I bought this truck was to be able to put my family in the crew cab, tow my camper and go camping. I did a lot of research and Ram was supposed to be more reliable than GM or Ford, but at this point, I can honestly say I do not trust my ram enough to put my kids in it.

I also found someone else that had the same issue that I also shared with the dealer. I am hoping that the more information they have the better the chance that the vehicle will be fixed.

 

[Sandevino]

I’ve not had this issue. Is there anything you notice just before it happens? Are you moving or stopped preparing to move when it happens?

 

[Svon89]

I don’t notice anything before it happens. I came to a stop light that was red and traffic was tue I got in front of me, so I stopped. When my light turned green I hit the gas and started turning right, got about 20 feet around the corner when the truck just started slowing. There was a message. Shift into park, then desired gear. So I coasted to the side, stopped, shifted to park, then drive and got going again. I have had it happen turning right or left, and in forward and reverse. It doesn’t happen all the time, so it’s not easy to prove. The last time it happened, I was backing into a driveway, so when it went into neutral, I put my foot on the brake, took out my phone and took a video. This time the light Over the R was flashing and the R on the center display was flashing.

When it happens, it seems to be at lower speeds, or from a stop. It doesn’t happen at a stop, but allows you to start moving first(either forward or backwards). Luckily the people behind me were alert, but I worry, especially when turning left across traffic.

 

[14hemiexpress]

I had the same fear and mine pretty much did it from a initial start. So I would start my truck place it in gear then move and it would happen or going forward stop 3 point turn and once I would switch to reverse and start to go it did it. Has anyone talked about replacing the dial shifter? That was on the list. Pulling the camshaft because your transmission popped out of gear doesnt make any sense to me neither does a fuel pump I might try to find another dealership. These 8 spds are so complex they dont let the techs rebuild them. My neighbour said the most he can do is pull the valve body and beyond that it's a full unit. If it was me I wouldnt get to discouraged yet and keep pressing them to get it right. Personally hate the electric shift but as far as the 8speed and 6.4l goes it's a great combo that 8spd is a tuff transmission pulling a 8700lb camper my temp never got above 174 in mid 90 degree weather.

 

[Svon89]

Hemiexpress,
The reasoning for the camshaft and fuel pump is that somehow the engine is close to stalling, so the transmission goes into neutral. Don’t ask me.... I would think that if the programming told the transmission to go into neutral because of an issue, there would be a code. But there have been no codes.
I stopped in to visit it again today and they washed it for me. I visit weekly when I can just look at it and say it’s a beautiful truck, if only I could trust it.

 

[Svon89]

So a little update:
I picked up the truck yesterday after being informed that the fuel pump had been installed. At the bottom of the description it states “customer advised to monitor condition”.

This is in a vehicle that I have already told Chrysler I feel unsafe putting my kids in due to my incident in the intersection.

Instead of saying we believe the problem is solved, I got that.

 

[BigLazer4u]

If I were you I would contact ram cares, or trade in the vehicle. You wouldn’t be the first one do this. If it’s safety concern and you really want to get some hard data, put a go pro in your truck and document it next time it happens, then pursue your lemon law in your state. Those are good three options.

 

[14hemiexpress]

Hemiexpress,
The reasoning for the camshaft and fuel pump is that somehow the engine is close to stalling, so the transmission goes into neutral. Don’t ask me.... I would think that if the programming told the transmission to go into neutral because of an issue, there would be a code. But there have been no codes.
I stopped in to visit it again today and they washed it for me. I visit weekly when I can just look at it and say it’s a beautiful truck, if only I could trust it.

It should be trowing codes. Does the truck feel like its stalling? To me the dealership is just running from the issue and at this point I would feel like it's a sensor or the shifter its self.

 

[14hemiexpress]

If I were you I would contact ram cares, or trade in the vehicle. You wouldn’t be the first one do this. If it’s safety concern and you really want to get some hard data, put a go pro in your truck and document it next time it happens, then pursue your lemon law in your state. Those are good three options.

Definitely contact ram cares on here people seem to get good response from them. And I would hate to see you trade it in and take a bath on it over this issue. you need to get it fixed or lemon lawed you paid to much for it to lose money on a trade in. If you can find a way to mount a camera that views your shifter and your dash at the same time, that would definitely help your cause.

 

[BigLazer4u]

Definitely contact ram cares on here people seem to get good response from them. And I would hate to see you trade it in and take a bath on it over this issue. you need to get it fixed or lemon lawed you paid to much for it to lose money on a trade in. If you can find a way to mount a camera that views your shifter and your dash at the same time, that would definitely help your cause.

I agree the trade In would be the last option...unless you are going to get the all new ram Trx hellcat truck.. lol

 

[Cbuts05]

So a little update:
I picked up the truck yesterday after being informed that the fuel pump had been installed. At the bottom of the description it states “customer advised to monitor condition”.

This is in a vehicle that I have already told Chrysler I feel unsafe putting my kids in due to my incident in the intersection.

Instead of saying we believe the problem is solved, I got that. View attachment 218482

Hey I'm having a similar issue with mine.

Seems like a problem at low speeds around a corner it popped into neutral, also on slow takeoffs I hear a little sputter ish sometimes hesitant.

We're you able to figure out the problem?

 

[RamDiver]

Hey I'm having a similar issue with mine.

Seems like a problem at low speeds around a corner it popped into neutral, also on slow takeoffs I hear a little sputter ish sometimes hesitant.

We're you able to figure out the problem?

The OP hasn't been seen in many years.



.

 

[Larry Havel]

I am looking to see if anybody on here has had the experience of their transmission dropping to neutral randomly?
I have found one other person nearby that it has happened to as well, but not anybody else.
It has happened several times but unable to get a code on it, or replicate it. The other guy had the same issue, and also had no codes showing. It doesn’t happen from a stop, but after you start moving, about 10-20 feet, just enough to get you into the intersection and maybe coast to the side.

The dealer has tried several things, including replacing the transmission valve body. It happened after that.

Has anybody else had this happen? Was there a repair that worked? I am getting nowhere with Chrysler, they have told me that it’s their duty to repair the truck, but will not actually put in any kind of writing that the vehicle is actually safe to drive. I know lawsuits..... Dealer doesn’t know if the latest recommendation by star team will solve the problem. I am reaching out hoping someone actually has this and they found a fix. I was told this had not happened before, but I found a guy within 100 miles that had the same thing. After valve body replacement it was about 3000 miles before it happened again to me. He has not yet had it happen again.

This just happened to me last Thursday, was told it was electronics, today they called and are replacing the valve body, I was driving 35 mph, got about 3 blocks after starting and just went to neutral, truck has 118,000 no issues at all. I am confused as to how the valve body just goes out, changed fluid and filter at 80K.

 

[Sherman Bird]

This just happened to me last Thursday, was told it was electronics, today they called and are replacing the valve body, I was driving 35 mph, got about 3 blocks after starting and just went to neutral, truck has 118,000 no issues at all. I am confused as to how the valve body just goes out, changed fluid and filter at 80K.

You show to have 2 trucks, yet don't say which one!

 

[Larry Havel]

Sorry 2020 1500 DT

 

[rombob]

Larry, what became of the issue ? Was it fixed ? Had similar experience. Once pulling away from a stop sign and it just felt like the gear slipping. Today it slipped into neutral after pulling out from light that turned green

 

[Tray Burge]

I have an 03 that all of a sudden wouldn't come out of low gear, it was just two relays in my fuse panel.