I am having a shift performance issue and need some help figuring out what is wrong. My truck is a stock 06 with the 48E tranny with about 29,000 miles. I was recently towing my 11,000 lb fifth wheel up a long (10-12 mile) 6-8 percent grade in tow haul mode. I was running in 2nd and third gear. When I was running at about 2600 to 2700 rpm's, about 30 to 40 mph, the tranny would allow the engine to rev up 3-400 more rpm's for about 1-2 seconds. Like it was slipping or the converter was unlocking and then relocking.

Then when I backed off on the accelerator a little while in 2nd gear, it would upshift ,slamming into 3rd gear. Very hard shift. Not with a bang, but hard enough to make the truck jump or bounce. I have been up this same grade with the same trailer each of the past 3 years and never had this slipping or shifting problem until this last trip. After this issue I towed it home over several summits with only 4-5 percent grades and it did not have any slipping or shifting issues. Seems to only be an issue when the grades get to 7-8 %.

What do you guys think? Is there a TSB or computer fix for this issue? Do I just need to adjust the bands? I've got one month left on my warranty and want to get it fixed on Dodge's nickle. It would be good if I knew what the fix is before taking it in because I won't get a chance to test the fix until after the warranty expires.

 

there is definitely a TSB for it. you need a new governor pressure solenoid valve. i hear the stock ones don't always fix the problem and that an aftermarket valve is recommended. i don't have any sources to link as far as an aftermarket valve but here is the TSB...

TSB 21-009-07: 48RE Transmission - 1-2 Shift Hunt At Light Throttle

 

On TSB's, does your vehicle have to be under warranty? Also, will they notify you about the TSB, or only if you bring it in? I'm having the same problem on my 06 Dodge Ram 3500 srw 2wd c/c short bed. Thanks Anthony!!

 

i'm not exactly sure. i would suggest calling your local dealer and explain that you found a TSB regarding the certain symptoms that are listed and continue to tell them that your truck has those symptoms. if dealers think like i do, even if you're warranty is no longer good, they should fix it at no cost to you because the defect was not a result of anything you did. as the original poster stated, his truck is completely stock. if they stand behind the products they manufacture or buy from another manufacturer, then they need to back them up by fixing THEIR problems or dealing with and straightening things out with the manufacturer for you. just a little rant i suppose

 

Ok. I'll try that! I appreciate your time. I'll call them tomorrow. As for your rant! Its all good!! We have to get some things off of our chest. We will feel oh-so-much better!!

 

Thanx for the feedback Jimbo. I read some of the threads on this TSB, but I didn't think it applied to my issue because my problem was 2nd to 3rd shift and it was under close to full throtle vice " 1 to 2 shift under light throttle ". I also didn't see anything in that TSB that addressed the slipping or increased RPM's.

Do you think that pressure solenoid can also cause my symtoms??

 

Hey Ridgeman, I too am having the same problem as you. Mine does it when it shifts into 2nd gear. I've heard some say to adjust the bands, but they are just crap from the factory and will affect the forward drum. I priced the transduce pressuresensor and governor and they were not very expensive, but the labor may be. I was thinking about just buying another valvebody.

 

Bigg, I am still under warranty so I am not looking to start a parts swap yet. I don't have any issues on the 1 to 2 shift under light throttle. Only the 2 to 3 shift under heavy load and heavy throttle. All other times the shift is clean and crisp.

 

I understand that. I'm just out of warranty @ 40k miles.

 

Where can you get an after market solenoid valve?

 

I bought my 06 used. The tranny was shifting irractic. If you stepped on it, like leaving a toll booth, it would down shift and rev up and go no were. It would shift at a different point from second to third every time with different
degrees of force.

The selling dealer had me take it to a Dodge Dealer for service. The truck had 42,000 miles on. They found a band that could not be adjusted. They replaced that and adjusted the shift points and reprogramed the computer with the lastest version shift program. They also found all the bands out of torque adjustment.

It shift much better now.

Dave

 

Not sure about the aftermarket solenoid, the ones I found were on mopar.com or dodgeparts .com

 

Go here, http://www.transmissioncenter.net/dodge.htm, and search on this page for #REC. This one uses the GM solenoid that almost never has problems.

Also here, http://www.suncoastconverters.com/do..._products.html, click Kits an Components and it will be in the upper part of the frame.


DTT also markets the same type of upgrade using the borg warner solenoid.

 

Coastal Dav, Your 2to3 shift problem and the slipping sound a little more like my issue, although mine only happens when under heavy load. Maybe I just need a band ajustment.

You mentioned that the dealer updated the computer with the latest version of the shifting program. Does anyone know what that update or flash is called or a number for it?? Since I am not having shift problems under most conditions, maybe that is a fix for my tranny? As I mentioned in my original post, my tranny would allow the engine to rev up 3-400 rpms (to 3000) for 1-2 seconds and then drop back to about 2600 quickly. It was like the Torque converter was unlocking for a couple of seconds and then locking back up. I wonder if this could be a computer program issue? Any transmission techs out there that can ID this issue??

 

I'm not a trans tech, but since it was only on the steeper grades, could it be a fluid level issue? maybe on prolonged 8% some fluid leaves the torque converter?

I don't know, but I did have a truck that shifted REAL hard because the tranny vent was plugged, and when I pulled the stick a couple liters came shooting out. Shifted OK once the internal pressure was relieved.