Transmission Harsh Shift

[gears49]

My 2017 Ram Big Horn 8 speed transmission gives a harsh shift first thing in the morning. I'm being told by the dealer that this is symptomatic of the transmission and I need to cycle the shifter between R and D a few times "to build sufficient pressure". I find this difficult to believe. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Thanks for any response.

 

[ghostlyorb]

My 2016 with the 8 speed does the same thing. If you watch your temp gauges, the transmission is most likely cold. Once the truck warms up for a min and you get going slowly, you'll see that it's normal again.

 

[West27]

Put it in neutral for a few minutes before taking off to let it build up pressure. I was told R N D will all build pressure but not P. The 8 speed is nice but it has its quirks. Most likely it is just a tuning issue since this is a common trans and if u ever go drive a Chevy with the 8 speed it performs a lot better.

 

[MADDOG]

It's just a cold fluid temp issue that resolves itself as the fluid warms up.

 

[gears49]

Sounds like an engineering deficiency....but I'll live with it. Love the truck. Pulls my 22 ft TT, Nash 7500gvw, like it's not there and get me 11 mpg to boot. Thanks all for the replies. Just wanted to make sure the dealership wasn't pulling my leg.

 

[West27]

Does anyone know of a easy way to check the trans oil since there is no dipstick? I had the dealer check it and they said it was fine but I would like to check it myself. Was thinking of pulling the fill plug on the side of it and making sure it was full.

 

[Tach_tech]

Does anyone know of a easy way to check the trans oil since there is no dipstick? I had the dealer check it and they said it was fine but I would like to check it myself. Was thinking of pulling the fill plug on the side of it and making sure it was full.

It’s quite the process, I wouldn’t recommend trying to do it yourself. Needs to be within a fairly narrow temperate span. Needs to be run through the gears, held in gears, etc before you can get a proper level. Not to mention the plug is right beside the exhaust if you have a hemi.

 

[West27]

Hmm bummer. I guess I’ll just take their word and it is good....

 

[bassheadhemi]

Hmm bummer. I guess I’ll just take their word and it is good....

Well if the dealer touched the transmission to do any kind of work don't trust them. I had a leak and after they replaced the line for the cooler the truck would always shift weird, they tested it and said it's normal... Now a few weeks later I had another transmission leak and after they fixed it the transmission was back to normal. My guess is that they didn't fill the transmission the first time they did the repair.

 

[West27]

Well if the dealer touched the transmission to do any kind of work don't trust them. I had a leak and after they replaced the line for the cooler the truck would always shift weird, they tested it and said it's normal... Now a few weeks later I had another transmission leak and after they fixed it the transmission was back to normal. My guess is that they didn't fill the transmission the first time they did the repair.

Yea my truck has always shifted weird from 1-2 under light throttle almost like it is slipping and I had them check it a while back to make sure it was full and they said it was but who knows if they actually did check it. Since my 3 year warranty is up I might take it to a different shop

 

[KingTuna]

Mine used to have a harsh shift first thing in the morning, but it stopped at around 15K miles or so. It would only do it the first time it shifted from 1st to 2nd. As far as relieving pressure by putting it in neutral, that's not true. Older vehicles, think 60 and 70s, the transmission would not pump fluid while in park. Alot of shift kits fixed this issue, like I did on my 66 Fury. The harsh shift is just from the transmission being cold, they probably have the shift parameters set for when the transmission is at operating temperature.

 

[Tiny590]

I had a hard down shift when i first got my truck. Every time I’d come to a stop and it would shift from 3rd down, it would slam. Felt like i got hit from behind. The second i hit 2,000 miles, i never felt it again.

 

[1quick1]

Well if the dealer touched the transmission to do any kind of work don't trust them. I had a leak and after they replaced the line for the cooler the truck would always shift weird, they tested it and said it's normal... Now a few weeks later I had another transmission leak and after they fixed it the transmission was back to normal. My guess is that they didn't fill the transmission the first time they did the repair.

Interesting. I'm literally on my way out the door to pick up my truck from the 5th service on my leaking transmission. They have had it since last Wednesday this time. I actually lost my **** on the service manager yesterday because they keep replacing the same damn thing.

1st service: replace tranmission pan top fluids
2nd service: replaced transmission pan gasket top fluids
3rd service: replaced transmission pan top fluids
4th service: replace leaking trans cooler top fluids
5th service: replace leaking trans cooler top fluids

The thing is I swear it doesn't shift the same.

 

[b5rider]

I just got my 2016 1500 with 21k miles back from the dealer for the same issue. They "reset the clutch packs" and it feels as if I have a heavy, unsecured payload in the bed every time I stop because the whole truck jerks when I comet a complete stop. It seems to happen as the truck goes into 'neutral' at a stop. I was told to drive it 500 miles so the transmission can "learn" my driving habits; I'm just going and stopping normally! You mean the engineers couldn't program the transmission for regular city driving? I'm not towing, driving like I stole it, or driving like my grandma. I'm surprised this is even an issue.

 

[chrisbh17]

Interesting. I'm literally on my way out the door to pick up my truck from the 5th service on my leaking transmission. They have had it since last Wednesday this time. I actually lost my **** on the service manager yesterday because they keep replacing the same damn thing.

1st service: replace tranmission pan top fluids
2nd service: replaced transmission pan gasket top fluids
3rd service: replaced transmission pan top fluids
4th service: replace leaking trans cooler top fluids
5th service: replace leaking trans cooler top fluids

The thing is I swear it doesn't shift the same.

I think Ive read most of your posts about this. Crazy! But you would figure that at this point they might start looking at things like the actual transmission casing, etc. Did you mention Einsteins Theory of Insanity to the service department?

I just got my 2016 1500 with 21k miles back from the dealer for the same issue. They "reset the clutch packs" and it feels as if I have a heavy, unsecured payload in the bed every time I stop because the whole truck jerks when I comet a complete stop. It seems to happen as the truck goes into 'neutral' at a stop. I was told to drive it 500 miles so the transmission can "learn" my driving habits; I'm just going and stopping normally! You mean the engineers couldn't program the transmission for regular city driving? I'm not towing, driving like I stole it, or driving like my grandma. I'm surprised this is even an issue.

FWIW, the re-learn process is actually pretty complicated. If you do it *just right* it doesnt take very much travel distance. BUT if you arent following the exact procedure, its possible it really will take that long for everything to be learned. Im surprised (or, maybe not) the dealer didnt perform the procedure for you.

 

[68PowerWagon]

It’s quite the process, I wouldn’t recommend trying to do it yourself. Needs to be within a fairly narrow temperate span. Needs to be run through the gears, held in gears, etc before you can get a proper level. Not to mention the plug is right beside the exhaust if you have a hemi.

Yeah & if one speck of dirt gets down in there it could screw up a valve. I used to rebuild trannys years ago & it doesn't take much to make a valve stick & then it won't shift right. That is one thing I don't do PM's on. Unless I know there is an issue, or I know the fluid is burnt, I don't mess with them.

 

[FCA Master]

1quick1, have your dealer check for STAR case S1721000006. These transmissions have several areas of known leaks, none of which you listed as them fixing. I hope this helps.