BKMC
Junior Member
I'm at a loss as to the recent change of my 2014 Ram 1500 with 8-speed transmission and v6 Pentastar.
I bought it with 32,000 miles and have put about 40,000 miles on it over the past 2 years.
It has always driven great for a 4x4, the transmission smooth shifting and never a question. Best truck I've ever owned.
WHAT I NOTICE:
a) Takes much longer to shift between some gears; often louder and higher RPM {I don't know how to see what gear it is in - though likely obvious}
b) Often (not always) eels like I'm pulling a herd of elephants. Just weighted down.
{no sign/smell of brakes hanging, but I've not had wheels taken off to be checked}.
c) Shifts more abrupt and has a minor "hum" feel on gas pedal (especially in mid-gears), downward on the most gentle of the slope; or takes a lot longer to shift upward - several hundred feet after being on a level or downward surface.
d) I've noticed yesterday that sometimes when I've pressed the gas pedal slightly, there is no reaction. It used to be very very sensitive. But I'd press a bit harder and nothing - no change in RPM, nothing. Then it would kick in.
It is no longer the same truck and I'm 100% at a loss. ANY IDEAS?
BACKGROUND
Almost two weeks ago I purchased brand new tires as our first snow of the season was approaching. Aside from the road noise difference, the truck drover perfectly, shifting perfectly as always.
Living in rural west Tennessee, I went to Clarksville to a national chain well known for service work, and had the truck aligned to ensure that there would not be any reason for tire wear.
The alignment package included checking of vital parts of the vehicle, including engine oil, transmission fluid, etc.
When the work was done, I got in the truck to drive the forty miles home, but immediately noticing that the transmission felt 100% different. Thinking it might be the tank of gas that I put in it, I kept going, but the odd shifting, hanging on at higher RPMs and shifting harder and lower.
When home I called back to the vendor and explained my concerns. I was told that most people feel their truck very different after an alignment, and to drive it several hundred more miles. I explained that it was not the road ride, but actual shifting, a louder noise at certain gears, and the appearance of what feels like a slight "hum," stronger at some gears.
I also noted that it was checked that transmission fluid was fine; but being a sealed transmission, I am curious how it was checked. I never got an answer. I was told to drive it longer and it should be fine.
No change. I called last week, leaving a message and never got a callback.
I took it last Monday to our Ram dealer that we've used (not Clarksville) and the manager went for a ride with me, listened, and then took it back for a look. He indicated that the transmission is sealed and that the vendor shouldn't have been able to tamper with it, and there were no error codes. It has the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, and he said to bring it back if it continues or worsens, but their tests show nothing.
LASTLY:
The truck has had some issues since November. There was a bit of transmission fluid leaking one day and we immediately got it in. Though it is never off road, apparently "something" hit the plastic transmission cover . . . that was an EXPENSIVE repair on our part.
Shortly thereafter, the light switch mechanism went crazy - turning on or off the lights at will.
Thank you. I appreciate any assistance/input.
bkmccutchen at gmail.com
I bought it with 32,000 miles and have put about 40,000 miles on it over the past 2 years.
It has always driven great for a 4x4, the transmission smooth shifting and never a question. Best truck I've ever owned.
WHAT I NOTICE:
a) Takes much longer to shift between some gears; often louder and higher RPM {I don't know how to see what gear it is in - though likely obvious}
b) Often (not always) eels like I'm pulling a herd of elephants. Just weighted down.
{no sign/smell of brakes hanging, but I've not had wheels taken off to be checked}.
c) Shifts more abrupt and has a minor "hum" feel on gas pedal (especially in mid-gears), downward on the most gentle of the slope; or takes a lot longer to shift upward - several hundred feet after being on a level or downward surface.
d) I've noticed yesterday that sometimes when I've pressed the gas pedal slightly, there is no reaction. It used to be very very sensitive. But I'd press a bit harder and nothing - no change in RPM, nothing. Then it would kick in.
It is no longer the same truck and I'm 100% at a loss. ANY IDEAS?
BACKGROUND
Almost two weeks ago I purchased brand new tires as our first snow of the season was approaching. Aside from the road noise difference, the truck drover perfectly, shifting perfectly as always.
Living in rural west Tennessee, I went to Clarksville to a national chain well known for service work, and had the truck aligned to ensure that there would not be any reason for tire wear.
The alignment package included checking of vital parts of the vehicle, including engine oil, transmission fluid, etc.
When the work was done, I got in the truck to drive the forty miles home, but immediately noticing that the transmission felt 100% different. Thinking it might be the tank of gas that I put in it, I kept going, but the odd shifting, hanging on at higher RPMs and shifting harder and lower.
When home I called back to the vendor and explained my concerns. I was told that most people feel their truck very different after an alignment, and to drive it several hundred more miles. I explained that it was not the road ride, but actual shifting, a louder noise at certain gears, and the appearance of what feels like a slight "hum," stronger at some gears.
I also noted that it was checked that transmission fluid was fine; but being a sealed transmission, I am curious how it was checked. I never got an answer. I was told to drive it longer and it should be fine.
No change. I called last week, leaving a message and never got a callback.
I took it last Monday to our Ram dealer that we've used (not Clarksville) and the manager went for a ride with me, listened, and then took it back for a look. He indicated that the transmission is sealed and that the vendor shouldn't have been able to tamper with it, and there were no error codes. It has the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, and he said to bring it back if it continues or worsens, but their tests show nothing.
LASTLY:
The truck has had some issues since November. There was a bit of transmission fluid leaking one day and we immediately got it in. Though it is never off road, apparently "something" hit the plastic transmission cover . . . that was an EXPENSIVE repair on our part.
Shortly thereafter, the light switch mechanism went crazy - turning on or off the lights at will.
Thank you. I appreciate any assistance/input.
bkmccutchen at gmail.com
