Dodge RAM it....

"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
10/16/2018 at 14:56 • Filed to: damn ram, ram cam, fca, ram 1500, fca quality

Sunk in a DITCH.

The RAM’s been shifting hard since new on the 1-2 upshift first thing when cold, and has a harsh 2-1 downshift under the same conditions. Feels like I’m getting rear-ended sometimes, its that bad.

With no software update to be found, the next step was to replace the valve body.

But now that we pull the pan, we’ve found metal.

It doesn’t show up on camera, but the fluid is very sparkly.

just to the right of middle is a chunk of metal

That grey line under the pool is all metal chonks

Good thing its under warranty, and anything that breaks makes me and the dealership money so I’m ok with that.

If anything I can get a loaner, or take my parts delivery van ho....

FUCK.

DISCUSSION (42)

Ash78, voting early and often > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 15:06

For some reason, every time I see an open tranny pan, I look away like in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

I’m not totally off-base here, either.

Good luck on getting it replaced!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 15:13

I know it’s covered under warranty but when shit like this goes wrong it really ruins my trust in a vehicle.

Takuro Spirit > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/16/2018 at 15:16

As my own? Its a 3 year lease so it doesn’t bother me, it’ll always be in warranty.

As a brand? We really don’t see that many issues with 1500s, especially the V6. And especially trans problems. Might just be a fluke.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 15:26

Y ou really should wear your seatbelt.

Urambo Tauro > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 15:28

What kind of fluid does it take? I don’t see even a hint of red- is it because of the lighting?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 15:29

Our local dealer has Cherokee trail hawk on lease for 2,000 down and 220/month for 36 months, it’s tempting. That’s really the only way I would own an FCA product other than a challenger with a hemi.

For Sweden > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 15:33

Those sparkles aren’t metal shavings. That’s t he glitter of Mopar Magic!

BigBlock440 > Urambo Tauro
10/16/2018 at 15:35

Looks green, and there’s not enough miles on it to be that bad yet.

BigBlock440 > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 15:35

Whoa, that’s a lot of valve.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/16/2018 at 15:39

Holy shit that's cheap

Urambo Tauro > BigBlock440
10/16/2018 at 15:40

Oh, it’s one of those ZF transmissions, isn’t it?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
10/16/2018 at 15:41

Yeah, my only thought is the residual is very very good after 36 months. Otherwise it’s a great deal on a $35k vehicle.

BigBlock440 > Urambo Tauro
10/16/2018 at 15:41

Based on the enormity of the valve-body, I’m guessing yes.

Takuro Spirit > Future next gen S2000 owner
10/16/2018 at 15:57

Its parked.

someassemblyrequired > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 15:58

Had the same problem with my Charger, software update helped but trans was overfilled from the factory. I can still make it do it from time to time though (especially if my wife’s been driving it for a few days) , so let me know how this goes.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Urambo Tauro
10/16/2018 at 16:09

It’s a ZF, a friend works on those at ZF

WiscoProud > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/16/2018 at 16:43

My mother-in-law has one. Its not a bad little vehicle, actually decent off-road too.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 16:50

I’ve always like the 1500 and had one for a work truck and loved it. I t had the hemi so laying rubber was on tap when every I wanted.

Quadradeuce > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2018 at 20:20

At least there's not an exhaust pipe running across that pan like GM likes to do, making dropping the pan a major pain in the ass.

450X_FTW > Takuro Spirit
10/17/2018 at 12:59

The RAM’s been shifting hard since new on the 1-2 upshift first thing when cold,

It’s the solenoid valve, was a problem on the 8spd transmissions when they launched. IIRC it’s due to drain back of the trans fluid while the vehicle is sitting still over night, combined with the cold, the solenoid doesn’t have enough fluid on the first 1-2 upshift as you drive away, and after that it’s fine.

Takuro Spirit > 450X_FTW
10/17/2018 at 13:09

Well its got a new valve body now so it should be good to go. Its a 2017 though so it should have the latest revision anyways.... looking up the condition on TechConnect/Service Library didn’t show any known issues/fixes. The service manual basically says to repair any shifting issues in order of Software-Valv e Body-New Trans.

So if it ISN’T fixed.... new trans time.

benjrblant > Takuro Spirit
10/17/2018 at 13:09

How many miles are on this thing? Isn’t it still relatively new?

450X_FTW > Takuro Spirit
10/17/2018 at 13:20

Doubt it would show up on techconnect, it’s one of those issues that “we’ll fix it if they complain about it” scenarios. I only know that because I told ZF about the issue back in 2013 and they’re response was basically “eh, oh well” .....

Under_Score > Takuro Spirit
10/17/2018 at 13:40

No offense, but how does this have 18,000 views?

Takuro Spirit > benjrblant
10/17/2018 at 13:41

Yep, 2017 with just shy of 12k on it.

Takuro Spirit > 450X_FTW
10/17/2018 at 13:42

I can’t believe I’m the only person to complain... we see a LOT of trucks and none have had this issue.

Takuro Spirit > Under_Score
10/17/2018 at 13:43

lol I have no idea.

Nibbles get stuck in a time loop?

Under_Score > Takuro Spirit
10/17/2018 at 13:52

It makes me nervous about anything I post here now.

Takuro Spirit > Under_Score
10/17/2018 at 14:16

I wonder who’s reading it... 2400+ new visitors? o.O

450X_FTW > Takuro Spirit
10/17/2018 at 14:19

Not everyone notices it, it’s very subjective. Being that I worked on the 8spd program when I was at Chrysler as a powertrain engineer, it’s one of those issues we found years ago but was told it’s too late to change for something that is minimal (not exact words, but same point).

Takuro Spirit > 450X_FTW
10/17/2018 at 14:30

Ahh... I did some Googling and found some similar complaints. Mine’s pretty severe though, like in the rain that first 1-2 shift could break the tires loose, and on the 2-1 downshift I’d get driveline lash. I ts pretty bad.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > BigBlock440
10/17/2018 at 14:47

Enormousness and enormity are not usually the same thing, but in this case...

some dude > Takuro Spirit
10/17/2018 at 14:54

I forget what "interests" i set, but i get a lot of jalop content in the google feed on my pixel. This post is on there today.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Takuro Spirit
10/17/2018 at 14:56

Shared to a Ram forum, perhaps?

BigBlock440 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/17/2018 at 15:10

I mean, I’ve seen a few valve bodies and none of them are that big. Granted, all of the valve bodies I’ve seen have been from 3-speeds or 3+1's, but they spanned several decades so could probably be considered “normal”.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > BigBlock440
10/17/2018 at 15:46

I was joking about “enormity” being a parallel word to “enormousness”; “enormity” is usually used to describe an act as something horrible and out of the ordinary. It’s not *exactly* a state noun for “being enormous”. Same root in being “un-normal”, but usage is usually different.

In other words, “Yes, that valve body is indeed a great malign act perpetrated on the transmission and mechanics, ha ha *monocle pop*”.

450X_FTW > Takuro Spirit
10/17/2018 at 17:29

Try driving in Tow-Haul mode, it’ll change the shift points, see if that allows for a 2-1 downshift that doesn’t result in a neck jerk

Takuro Spirit > 450X_FTW
10/17/2018 at 18:02

Oh, that button I sometimes bump with my phone when sticking it in the tray down there?

I can try that if it persists , good idea.

some dude > Takuro Spirit
10/18/2018 at 00:06

oh, and this series is especially useful, since a new (or “new”) truck is in the plans within the next couple years, and it’s pretty much between the ram and the f-series

450X_FTW > Takuro Spirit
10/18/2018 at 08:30

From what I remember part of the 2-1 coast down shift issue was the amount of torque available to complete the shift. Possible that tow haul has a higher rpm shift point that may allow for a smoother downshift

Takuro Spirit > 450X_FTW
10/18/2018 at 09:12

Its back in my hands, and drove better last night and this morning. I had one shudder downshifting last night, and the reverse to drive shift seems to be taking a millisecond longer, but other than that its be en fine. No delayed shift to 2nd when cold, no slam into 1st coming to a stop.

I’ll give it a week and see how it goes.

Textured Soy Protein > Takuro Spirit
10/22/2018 at 11:03