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Pickups Dodge Ram Dodge Ram: Problems & Solutions 
3275 messages, Last post on Oct 18, 2006 at 8:20 PM
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| Both conditions sound normal. The clunk you hear is the gears in the rear end taking up the "lash" or in simpler terms the gap between the pinion and the gear. The hesitation when you place the tranny in drive is the time it takes for the fluid to be directed through the proper channels and start the output shaft turning | |
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Sorry, I am far from an authority on the inner workings of an automatic transmission. My automotive experience is induction and fuel delivery systems and engines, ex-GM certified engine technician. Never got involved with power delivery systems. Most of my knowledge is from some years in the repair business or reading. I just happen to be doing a little research on the subject of transmission reliability. First, Lariat1 is correct that a certain degree of "clunk" is normal. This varies by design and manufacturing tolerances of both the differential and the auto transmission. As I recall Chrysler products of old did this more than any other car or truck and I don't remember seeing any axle failures on them. A tight set of side gears and close ring & pinion mesh can actually cause more trouble. "Knuckles" is an ambiguious term to me since there are steering knuckles, and it is a very old term for U-joints on 4x4s. Too high of an engine idle speed or incorrectly set throttle pressure at the transmission can cause or aggravate this symptom. Too loose of a ring & pinion gear mesh in the differential will also cause this as well as slop in the pinion bearings. I would try to find other examples of vehicles similiar to yours and see if there is any difference. It could be that both the axle components and transmission are at the extreme ends of their manufacturing tolerances. Good luck with your dealer. I'm not sure about your problem, Peppe1. Transmission shudder is usually the result of a problem in the torque converter. We had two replaced in our Chevy van, although the second one failed in a different manner. My daughter's Ford Explorer has had two torque converters replaced with the same symptoms as you've got. However, to the best of my knowledge the Chrysler 45RFE doesn't have a torque converter failure history. In fact, older Dodge transmission problems related to shudder were most often associated with expired ATF or, even more commonly, the wrong ATF. Still, I seem to recall some Dakota/Durangos having a similiar problem, but I'm not sure which transmission (could be the 45RE versions) and they may be related to the torque converter solenoid sticking. I'm afraid I'm not much help to you on this one. Regards, Dusty |
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Hello all, I have a 2002 1500 ram quad cab with the 4.7l and auto tranny. I am very pleased with my new ram that i got in sept 01, trading in a 96 1500 club cab with a 5.9L and auto tranny. I read a few messages here and have had some of the same problems. I have taken all my problems in and have had all of them fixed except one, and this is with the transmission. Since day one when the engine is warm, the a/c is off, and usually after driving at highway speeds and coming to stoplights the engine would pull down to about 300RPM and idle roughly. It never died until about 7000 miles when my wife was driving it. A week later it died on me in stop and go driving. I took it to the dealer and had their tech ride with me (this was back in feb). He had his DRB plugged into the computer and checked all parameters. The problem appeared and he could find nothing wrong with the engine. This prompted a call to Chyrsler Engineering and I returned my vehicle to them for four days so they could look at it. When I picked it back up the Trans filter/oil had been replaced and a TSB on updating the PCM had been accomplished. My service adviser had told me that the engineers believe the problem is coming from an engagement of the lock-up torque converter. ( this new tranny 45rfe is designed to lockup with a loss of pressure instead of pressure being used to apply it) They believed the problem was due to low pump output. This halfway fixed my problem. It has not died and now has 9500 miles. But it will still occassionally idle rough and pull down to 350-400 RPM. I tried the "lock up theory" out. When it started to pull down I put the tranny in N and it immediately cleared up. The service advisor has told me the Engineers are working this problem and are fairly confident that it is in the computer program. I check back in every month to see if they have the fix. Hope this helps out some who have this problem and confirms the same problem happening with others. Mine has only happened when: The engine is warm Has been operated at highway speed and then into stop and go traffic The A/C is NOT on. Also there was a discussion when at low speeds the tranny slips or bangs. The service advisor had said that most new chrysler auto trannies would do this because they are "confused" for a short period of time. Mine has done this when coasting through stoplights, making a turn (slowing to between 10 and 30MPH) and then getting on the throttle. It "bangs" (not hard, but harsher than normal) into the proper gear (usually to downshift to second instead of staying in third). He assured me that this is "normal" and no harm will come from it. I apologize for the length of this message, but hopefully it is a balance between enough info and brevity. |
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Sounds like that is the problem that I am having. What was the TSB number that you talked about. I am taking my 02 QC in on Weds. for a ride along with the service manager. Please keep us informed on the progress of the torque converter and the computer program update. Thanks, Tom |
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Tom, TSB #18-029-01. It comes up as a fix for oil pressure gage and 5.9l cold weather driveability. Chyrsler had the service department do it anyway and it has stopped it form dying...so far! The only other thing that I noticed it changed was the oil pressure gage. It used to move (read higher when engine was cold, lower when hot, and would increase when you revved it up) Now the Oil Pressure gage goes to one needle past halfway and stays there all the time. Was told that it slowed down the updates from the pressure sensor. Let me know if they fix yours. Just checked with Chyrsler two weeks ago and they still don't have a fix. By the way, has yours died yet? Steve |
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Just to be sure, were you also getting the gear grind when you put your truck into reverse. Mine grinds only after the RPM pull down happens as if the converter is spinning to slow to allow the gears to mesh properly. Do you have the tow package on yours also? My truck stalled only once and that was in my driveway. My truck was made in Warren, Michigan in November 01 how about yours? |
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Haven't had any gear grind, but haven't put it in reverse when the RPM's are low. I do not have the tow package. Made in Saltillo, Mexico, in Aug 01. I'm a little confused with the tow package option. I know the book states it has a ClassIV hitch receiver, Engine and Automatic transmission cooling, 7 pin wiring harness with 7-4pin adapter, and a 750 amp battery. I agree with everything except the Engine and Transmission cooling. Looked at several trucks on the lot and all radiators (the 5.9l included) are the same. Did find a bigger tranny cooler on the 5.9l with tow package. Went to the parts department and the radiators are the SAME whether you have the 4.7l or 5.9l with or without the tow package. The tranny cooler was the same on the 4.7l with or without the tow package, although the 5.9l with tow package was almost twice the size! Don't know if dodge is pulling a fast one with the engine/tranny cooling on the 4.7l but can't find any differences! |
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I had my 5.9L automatic transmission serviced at 67K miles. I had no problems prior to that other than annoying torque converter lock up sometimes hunts. Within 1000 miles of the service the trans completely self destructed. The dealer says this is conincidental with the service. Anyone have any thoughts.
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What year is your truck? Chrysler trannies are VERY PARTICULAR about their fluid! Had a 1996 and used ATF+3. My 2002 uses ATF+4. Did Dodge do your service? If it was another quick lube I'd be very cautious. They love to put the Dexron/Mercon in them. Different fluid will cause problems, I had a 1990 Plymouth that had the same, changed the tranny fluid back to chrysler ATF and it fixed the problem. Hope your's is this easy. Steve |
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I've done some research regarding the reports of Dodge transmission failures. I have counted vehicles at transmission repair shops for just over 10 months, talked to transmission repair techs, and about 55 owners. My suspicions are that the 45RE coupled to the 360 engine will probably be the most susceptible to failure. Of course, how the vehicle has been used and maintained will have a significant effect on reliability. 02ram is correct about the transmission fluid used by Chrysler. The specified fluid is Chrysler 7176. This ATF contains anti-friction modifiers and the transmission is designed around this fluid. I know that some transmission shops and auto mechanics will tell you that Mercon 4 will work just fine, but I don't believe it. One shop here told me that they use the Chrysler 7176 exclusively in Chrysler products and have never had one come back. They even stated that they use it in Ford transmissions to cure torque converter shudder problems. The drain back valve which is located in the cooling return line are known to be a problem, especially in cold weather and with transmissions that contain contaminated fluid. These valves are easily clogged, apparently, and that can lead to loss of pump pressure and resulting failure. I have talked to people who have 360 engines in 4x4s that have never had a problem, even after 150,000 miles. This makes me believe that there IS NOT an inherent design or component problem with these transmissions. However, these same people have been religious about transmission fluid and filter changes. The use of overdrive when towing heavy loads is another cause of premature transmission failures. Good luck, Dusty |
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