68 RFE Transmission in a 2011 3500
 

My 2011 Ram with a Cummins 6.7 and an automatic transmission 68 RFE has been put in limp mode. Seemed to happen when I was in a rush to get away in ambient temps of 5 (41F.)

Limp mode is 4th gear.
P N R all work but stuck in 4 with no downshift of up shift - if you haven't had the "pleasure."

Warranty is gone 110,00km (+60000 miles) so I'm into this for myself now.

There is a wicked electrical hum sounds like a relay chattering while the engine is running and in any gear.

Engine light came on but I have been able to clear it.

It is flagging these 2 codes
"P0883 - TCM Power Input High"
"P2509 ECM/PCM Power signal Intermittent"

I wanted to know if ANY ONE ELSE had this issue and how it got resolved.

For Now I have a Solenoid pack and a pressure transducer getting shipped up (along with transmission filters)

I haven't even dropped the pan yet.

I haven't done any serious hauling with this truck for a month. So this sprang up unloaded and not totally warm.

I've scanned through the threads here a little but haven't seen anyone hit this one on the head yet.

(Its really helpful by-the-way on new posts if you put the right words in - issues will come up on a search. And you may help us all out :)

Thanks in advance.

Only warranty I've had was on o ring leaking coolant down the side of the block. It was the EGR return into the head above number 4

I found a great link to info on the 68rfe - anybody have some more info?

http://http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/memb...8rfe-intro.pdf

Link doesn't work bud, or it didn't for me.

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/memb...8rfe-intro.pdf is the link.

OK so updating this (not a lot help coming my way on this site :( )

I ordered the parts and was away from truck for a week.
Came back and fired truck up - there was no issue as I road tested it.

Engine light was on for a stored code but not an active one with no messages. But interestingly enough my clock radio had lost time like at least 6 hrs. If not more!

Seeing I had paid for the parts already and discussed with semi experienced shop. We have had the transmission filters changed (both) and flushed it. The recommended oil is a semi synthetic so I see no need to go to anything else.

Will update you if anything else goes sideways. But I think a grabbed a slug of cold goo when I took off not warmed up and one of the solenoids wasn't making full travel. And so it kept trying but sent back high voltage code.

There was some smaller flakes in the transmission pan.

If the issue comes up again I'll keep you posted. Wouldn't recommend buying parts in advance. Especially if you have time to get it looked at /look at it yourself.

Mechanics whod done the job before say the problem is more common on 5500s and quite often is cold oil issues. Sometimes they have changed out solenoid packs but the tranny is done 3 months later. Fingers crossed.

I have the same year and trans. Mine went into limp mode a few weeks ago. Dealer said the trans was bad so I had them put in a new one...over $5000. Got it back and drove it for 2 days and limp mode again. This time they said it was a bad computer which they installed free. Got it back again...yup, 3 days later...limp mode again. The mechanic called Dodge and they said bad connection between trans and computer. They installed a new wiring harness and that finally fixed it. No offer to reimburse me for the new trans. The only thing that makes me feel a little better is the fact that the original trans had about 375k miles

By your own admission you live some place cold.. why would you NOT use the very best 100% synthetic oil you could get your hands on? and why the transmission shop didn't recommend it is beyond me.

Dear Jump. That's crappy...
For the rest of us driving ECM controlled Transmissions.

I think my real original issue was lower than usual charge in the batteries. I started mine on a cold day. I also has my remote start/ built in alarm ... Acting up.

Let's beat these stupid faults before they hit us in the pocket books. The transmissions ECM rely on feed back voltages.

Before we get to the point of changing out transmissions or even solenoid packs... Make sure you have fully charged batteries... Its actually even worth replacing the batteries before going to major issues.

I think if it came down to it - just like in Jump's case get the harness changed first or at least completely tested before asking to change out solenoid packs and transmissions.

It's an unnecessary expense.

Thanks for sharing jump - it's a shame but by sharing we all learn.

I got the 2509 in my '08 when my TIPM had a bad ground. I couldn't find it but the ******* did, and I got out of it luckily at $125.

I'd start with grounds and a battery check, then go from there.




-Kris