OK. It's done it since new. Takes like 5-10 seconds for the thing to move and then it's ever so slow for a bit.

Every time it was ever in for service I'd mention to them to look for it. They can never duplicate. Doh, don't ya hate that.

Did a little research on it since my warranty is ending in Jan. I know the 45RE has a TSB on it for a filter check valve. They always told me it doesn't apply. Ours is in the hose, so I knew that wasn't it, except it's a start. I found out the way to know for sure is to pull the dip stick in the morning before you start it. If the cooler is draining back to the pan the level will rise like 4". Mine does that. So armed with that I went back to the dealer last night and guess what. It did it for them this morning. Go figure.

Anyway. They told me this morning that they want to pull the trans out and see what's up. I was leery, but you gotta do what you gotta do I guess. Later, I called and they found a sticking actuator(the throttle valve actuator I assume?) and they thought they'd change that out and check ball in the hose first too before pulling it.

Anyone have any more insight to this? I have a friend with the 45RE and the filter tsb fixed theirs for good. I'm hoping it's just the hose valve.

 

Mine does it, but only when it's been sitting for 3 days or more. I shift into neutral for 2-3 seconds, then put it in D.

Tony

 

Change the governor solenoid and sensor. Fixed my 04.5 and runs like brand new.

 

Either that or the torque converter is draining down, which would indicate a valve body problem.

 

Mine does it for more like 5-10 seconds after just sitting 8 hours at work. It's getting bad.

I see. The torque converter draining out versus the cooler draining back. Hmmm...so maybe they will have to at least pull the pan.

 

Mine does it on a cold startup but it's not really bad. Just start it up and throw it in neutral immediately and you will be fine in a couple seconds.....

 

Generally the TC drains down because the drain back valve is leaking. The fix is to replace the manual valve so the trans will circulate fluid in park. That way the TC fills as soon as the pump makes pressure. If that doesn't do it there is leakage in the pressure circuit somehwere.

 

Replace the manual valve so it circulates in park is a good idea. Dealer probably won't do that though.

 

If im not mistaken, my 06 manual even says that the tranny will be sluggish after a few days of not running.. Going to check out the Manual again when I get back to the house...

 

I've got an '03 with the 48RE and it is a little sluggish after it sits a week or two. I had the same problem with Chrysler products from '67 thru '78. I was told it was drain back from the TC. I added some trans additive and it stopped unless it sat for a long time. Mechanic told me that a little build-up in the valve body could cause it. Just crank it, slip it into neutral, and a second or two it's ready to roll. I change oil in my trans every 30K. 182K and still rolling.

 

Well I can say first hand that a Dodge tech will not fix the valve body so that it will pump fluid in Park. As I type this mine is in the shop for the valve body to be replaced tomorrow when the new one arrives from the Twin Cities. I've learned back in 1970's that a Dodge Trans does not pump fluid in park unless its been modified, so I've learned to just put the trans in N while the oil pressure builds so I can then back out of the garage with out any problems.

 

Well they seem to think they can fix that issue and that it's not "normal". With that said it's done it since it was nearly new. So I'm not too sure. It's embarrassing to sit and wait for the trans to start working though. I'm not asking them to modify the trans to pump in park.

 

The only time mine will not move as soon as I put it in R is if it sets for 5 or more days but like I said its now a habit that the first start of the day its started in N so that once the oil pressure is up its ready to move.. If you have to wait every time you start it then for some reason your trans is allowing fluid to drain out of the torque converter way to fast so they may be able to replace part or two to slow the fluid draining out so fast from the torque converter. I can say its nice to have mine back home after an over night stay at the shop.

 

It's normal for it to happen if it's sits for a long period of time I've read. It's not normal for it to happen under an 4-8 hour rest. There's something not right with it. As stated above though it's not necessarily the converter draining, it could be the trans cooler draining back to the pan also. They're waiting on parts. Apparently, there's a national back order for either the solenoid or the check valve in the hose.

 

Months maybe not days, mine would sit in an airport parking garage for 5 days and never have that problem stock.

The check valve in the cooler is to keep the TC from draining back. It doesn't matter if the cooler drains as long as the TC stays charged.

My advice, slip the tech a $20 bill wrapped around a Sonnax manual valve and tell them to put it back together. Sheesh, the amount of screwing around for a simple fix.

There is a reason the dealer NEVER sees my truck.