Transmission trouble alerts

[The Mountain]

Yesterday I started getting an alert on the dash display saying "Service Shifter" and "Service Transmission; shut off engine to put transmission in park". I initially took it back to the non-FCA dealership where I bought it, and they suggested that the outstanding recall for the EMC/PCM torque converter issue might also solve this. Has anyone else seen a similar issue, and what did the problem turn out to be?

 

[PoMansRam]

Good question on this one. As much as I've followed these transmissions the last few years I have no idea what is in-between the dial shifter and the transmission itself. There's got to be some type of stepper motor that moves a shift linkage external to the transmission, or it's all internal (hope not).

I've not heard of too many issues other than folks saying they love or hate the dial.

 

[RamCares]

Yesterday I started getting an alert on the dash display saying "Service Shifter" and "Service Transmission; shut off engine to put transmission in park". I initially took it back to the non-FCA dealership where I bought it, and they suggested that the outstanding recall for the EMC/PCM torque converter issue might also solve this. Has anyone else seen a similar issue, and what did the problem turn out to be?

Apologies for the trouble! If you decide to address this with your local Ram dealer, please do not hesitate to follow up with us via private message. We would be more than willing to escalate your situation to a specialist who can work alongside you and your dealer while your truck is in service.


Mark
RamCares

 

[The Mountain]

Well, timely reply from RamCares. I just got the verdict back from the dealer: the trouble codes were not solved by doing the recalls.

First, a PSA: if you do the recall for the transmission/cruise control issue, you will also get the autopark "campaign" done, as there is apparently no way to do one without the other. So if you were thinking you wanted to retain the ability to step outside the cab while the transmission is engaged, sorry no dice

Anyway, they did the recall updates, and this did not solve the problem. It turns out the Electronic Shifter Module has developed some sort of internal fault, and needs to be replaced. This is a $650 unit, which it turns out my warranty does not cover. I am in talks with the dealer I bought it from to address this. The truck never should have left their lot with such a major component faulty.

 

[Wild one]

Well, timely reply from RamCares. I just got the verdict back from the dealer: the trouble codes were not solved by doing the recalls.

First, a PSA: if you do the recall for the transmission/cruise control issue, you will also get the autopark "campaign" done, as there is apparently no way to do one without the other. So if you were thinking you wanted to retain the ability to step outside the cab while the transmission is engaged, sorry no dice


The cheapest work around for that problem is plug the seat belt in behind you,or you can buy a seat belt extender which plugs into the seatbelt,extending it a bit,but it also bypasses the autopark.I put an extender in the wifes 19 Challenger,and they actually work pretty decent

 

[RamCares]

Well, timely reply from RamCares. I just got the verdict back from the dealer: the trouble codes were not solved by doing the recalls.

First, a PSA: if you do the recall for the transmission/cruise control issue, you will also get the autopark "campaign" done, as there is apparently no way to do one without the other. So if you were thinking you wanted to retain the ability to step outside the cab while the transmission is engaged, sorry no dice

Anyway, they did the recall updates, and this did not solve the problem. It turns out the Electronic Shifter Module has developed some sort of internal fault, and needs to be replaced. This is a $650 unit, which it turns out my warranty does not cover. I am in talks with the dealer I bought it from to address this. The truck never should have left their lot with such a major component faulty.

Thank you for taking the time to keep us in the loop. If you are willing to follow up via PM to provide your VIN and contact info, I am more than willing to escalate a case on your behalf to a specialist who can work alongside you and your dealer to ensure all outlets of assistance are explored in addressing your current concern.

Mark
RamCares

 

[The Mountain]

Another update, the selling dealership called me this morning; they reviewed the repair statement and have determined that they own the issue, so they've ordered the module, and it will be arriving tomorrow. They're also reimbursing me for the diagnostic charge. Let's hope this turns out to be the only issue the truck develops.

 

[PoMansRam]

Did you buy this truck used? You'd like to thing this E-shift apparatus being part of the transmission would be part of the powertrain warranty that is covered for 6yrs/60K, but you never know with external electronics.

Keep us updated. I'm wondering if there's a chaffed wire or some green crusty corrosion in one of the pins.. I'm not even sure where this module is.

 

[The Mountain]

Did you buy this truck used? You'd like to thing this E-shift apparatus being part of the transmission would be part of the powertrain warranty that is covered for 6yrs/60K, but you never know with external electronics.

Keep us updated. I'm wondering if there's a chaffed wire or some green crusty corrosion in one of the pins.. I'm not even sure where this module is.

The powertrain warranty is only 5 years/60,000 on this truck per the window sticker, and when I bought it, it had just under 60k on the clock. And yes, you'd think that critical electronic systems like the control and management modules should be covered under all but the most basic warranties, but in my case the tier-2 warranty the dealership sold me excludes the various computer and electronic modules in addition to the less-critical stuff. Tier-2 only covers the most basic electricals like the alternator and starter.

The shifter module, which integrates the brake-safety interlock so you can't shift if your foot isn't on the brake, and also locks the steering column as an anti-theft measure, is actually what the shift knob (and transfer case buttons) are mounted to; it's a block of plastic and metal about the size of a cigarette pack with 5-6 plug sockets on the back, and the rotary knob and buttons on the front. The FCA dealership pulled it and checked all the connections, and they were clean, hence their determination that the fault was internal to the module.

 

[PoMansRam]

My bad on the 6/60 thing. Typo. It's for sure 5/60.

What I was getting at was, if the E-shift system is just a motor that moves the gear shift shaft on the transmission case. It appears it is not. The business end is attached to the valve body inside the transmission. Check page 19 of 48 here. It's not a Ram, but same transmission series. https://d2q1ebiag300ih.cloudfront.n...nnax_ZF8_Webinar_Part_1_of_2.pdf?v=1485788168

Good thing is, you'll get a pan drop and fluid change in the process. I'd supply them with a new pan/filter kit (since they're integrated). Not sure it that would be covered by them.

 

[The Mountain]

My bad on the 6/60 thing. Typo. It's for sure 5/60.

What I was getting at was, if the E-shift system is just a motor that moves the gear shift shaft on the transmission case. It appears it is not. The business end is attached to the valve body inside the transmission. Check page 19 of 48 here. It's not a Ram, but same transmission series. https://d2q1ebiag300ih.cloudfront.n...nnax_ZF8_Webinar_Part_1_of_2.pdf?v=1485788168

Good thing is, you'll get a pan drop and fluid change in the process. I'd supply them with a new pan/filter kit (since they're integrated). Not sure it that would be covered by them.

It's not the servo inside the transmission that went bad. It's the electronic shift controller module that the rotary shift knob is part of. It's in the dashboard. Note the depth of the unit, all the control circuitry for the transmission shifter, the transfer case buttons, the autopark solenoid, the steering column lock, the brake interlock mechanism, all inside this thing. Here's a pic (my truck does not have the auto 4wd option).:




Edited to add: and I was mistaken; there are only two plugs on the back, so the whole install really (hopefully) shouldn't take more than an hour or so. They would just pull the fascia of the dash, 4 mounting bolts on the unit, unplug it, plug the new one in, bolt it in and replace the fascia.

 

[PoMansRam]

Yes, I get that, but there's two ends to the system, connected by a wiring harness.

Some controls in that knob/button module as you stated, but the actual work is being done internal to the transmission itself. It doesn't appear there's a servo motor as such. It appears "PRND" is being done all by solenoids and fluid circuitry on the valve body.

If the problem isn't in the dashboard, it's in the transmission.

Hopefully it's just the dash module. I'm curious on how they know that for sure or are they throwing parts at it and hope something sticks. I sure as heck wouldn't know how to properly troubleshoot this. Also... hopefully it's not why the truck was for sale in the first place. Like said, I've not heard of any E-shift problems on these in the few years I've followed.

 

[The Mountain]

Yes, I get that, but there's two ends to the system, connected by a wiring harness.

Some controls in that knob/button module as you stated, but the actual work is being done internal to the transmission itself. It doesn't appear there's a servo motor as such. It appears "PRND" is being done all by solenoids and fluid circuitry on the valve body.

If the problem isn't in the dashboard, it's in the transmission.

Hopefully it's just the dash module. I'm curious on how they know that for sure or are they throwing parts at it and hope something sticks. I sure as heck wouldn't know how to properly troubleshoot this. Also... hopefully it's not why the truck was for sale in the first place. Like said, I've not heard of any E-shift problems on these in the few years I've followed.

FWIW, the transmission itself seems to be shifting just fine, no odd behavior. The error message did focus on "Service Shifter" and the need to shut the engine off to engage Park, which do not seem consistent with transmission internals having problems.

 

[RamCares]

Another update, the selling dealership called me this morning; they reviewed the repair statement and have determined that they own the issue, so they've ordered the module, and it will be arriving tomorrow. They're also reimbursing me for the diagnostic charge. Let's hope this turns out to be the only issue the truck develops.

Great to hear your dealer stepped up. We will definitely keep an eye out for your next update! We are always a message away if needed.

Mark
RamCares

 

[The Mountain]

So here's the interesting twist ending: I took the truck in this morning, and the selling dealership installed the new Electronic Shift Control module. It took them just about an hour as I predicted. However, when I got the truck back, there was a difference. The old shifter had an all-silver knob with a knurled texture, where the new one has a black center and a fluted texture, which is nice because now it matches the climate control and radio knobs. The big difference is that the old module has different buttons from the new. The old one just had 2WD, Neutral, 4WD high, and 4WD low. The new one has all those plus a 4WD Auto button. I assume that I do not now also have the Auto function, and that it would require additional parts and maybe even a different transfer case.

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

Correct, you’d need a different tcase (BW 44-44) to have “auto” functionality

 

[The Mountain]

Correct, you’d need a different tcase (BW 44-44) to have “auto” functionality

So given that I don't have the correct drivetrain, is that button just going to be "dead", or could pushing it cause unexpected behavior? Or would it just be another 4WD High button?

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

So given that I don't have the correct drivetrain, is that button just going to be "dead", or could pushing it cause unexpected behavior? Or would it just be another 4WD High button?

I’m not 100% sure but I think it’s dead. The tcase you have actually shifts into high whereas the auto case uses an electromagnet ball ramp to engage a clutch pack. So I believe for you, the BCM isn’t looking for a signal from that specific button HOWEVER........if that’s not the case than as you stated, it would just be another 4wd High button.

I know this was discussed on the 44-44 to 44-45 swap. For those that convert from the auto 44-44 to the 44-45 I believe that is how the auto button behaved.

give it a test and report back. You’ll know quickly if it works or not.