Truck displayed po700 code, oh no… not my tranny. So into the dealer it goes. I call the place I bought it from and the service manager plays dumb? “ Sir, I have no idea what those numbers are or what your saying”. Okay, stay cool, 40k truck with 6536.5 miles on her I tell myself. The guy is looking for an easy out- on first. “ You are the service manager right, so you should understand turning the key three times”. “ No sir, no idea what your talking about”. Enough I said and called the next closest dealership. “ Yes Sir we are familiar with the code and bring it in” Great, this is just a simple loose wire/connection or software issue. Long story short, pick up my baby, turn the key three times and the code is still there despite me calling and confirming that the priority for me is to clear the code. Bring the code to his attention and he rebuttals with the invoice.

Word for word:

TECH CONTACTED ENGINEERING –
RE FAULT, TOLD TO CLEAR AND
LEAVE AT THIS TIME. FAULT CODE
IN CUMMINS CONTROLLER NOT
CHRYSLERS CONTROLLER.

Allright auto tranny owners what’s my next step? Number one, phone call followed up by a letter and a email to the DC corp.. Didn’t I read somewhere about a TSB from DC saying that all Cummins controllers are to be reflashed with DC software? I knew this crap would happen with all the computer-controlled systems. I know my truck’s behaviour, sounds, shift points and torque lock up. Since the code all that has changed. Of course anybody who gets behind the wheel will think all systems go. Think I might get a used laptop and the DRB III software and start learning. But you know what, I’m feeling a little old for anything not mechanical.

 

Just to clarify the P0700 code...this is a generic code kicked by the engine computer side when there is a tranny problem. If you use a proper scan tool (not just the key method) and go into the tranny side of the computer diagnostics (will only read tranny codes and no engine codes this way) then there will be a more in depth code stored that will be more descriptive. P0700 is just the code to tell the engine side of the computer that there is problem and the real code is stored in the tranny side for further diagnosis. Depending on the code stored, the proper procedure may be to clear and monitor for re-occurance. I wouldn't worry too much because you have lots of warranty left and if the code re-occurs then there isn't much argument that there is a problem. If the P0700 code is still in your engine side they just may not have cleared the engine side codes and only the tranny side codes were cleared. If you can try to find out which code they pulled out of the tranny side for you own personal reference.

 

This is very strange. Powertrain diagnostics manual says "Transmission related DTC in JTEC" (JTEC = Jeep/Truck Engine Controller). Tell the service moron (oops, I mean manager) to check out page 1222 of the 2003 Powertrain Diagnostics Manual. They must perform "Transmission Verification Test Ver - 1". It's a 10-step process. If you need it, I can scan it in and email that page to you...

-Ryan

 

Today Dec.2/04 truck is displaying po700 code again. First occured Sept.10/04 and cleared after a week from seeing the dealer. Been a little frosty here and I swear my front wheels broke loose on a hard takeoff today? What the... check transfer case manual shift position...okay? Cycle key three times opps, there it is! Back to the service writer. Do these guys take a course on facial expressions. You know the deer in the headlights?