Newbie here with a couple of questions;
I tow a 38' toyhauler (approx 18,000 lbs) mostly and other times a 16' enclosed cargo trailer, when I have the truck in the tow/haul mode without the exhaust brake on decending hills it comes on anyway. I call it a 3rd stage brake but the dodge dealer calls it a progressive brake, (still comes on in 3 steps) this will happen no matter which trailer my pulling. The other day I was driving without the trailer, (had it in the tow/haul mode again without the exhaust brake on just to see what it would do) the exhaust brake came on again (going down hill) without being turned on, this time right to the second stage and it seemed like it was stuck as I couldn't excellerate out of it, the only way to get it to stop was to brake to 30 mph from hwy speed of 60 mph. When I'm towing the 38' trailer the exhaust brake seems to go right to the highest stage without any progression no matter what speed I'm going. This is getting quite unnerving at hwy speeds, but as usual the dealer can't find anything wrong

 

What year is your truck because it sounds like you're describing a 3rd gen. If I remember right the 3rd gen exhaust brakes which have variable settings dont function the same as the 2nd gen exhaust brakes which are simply on/off. You might want to ask in the 3rd gen forum section instead of the towing and hauling section.

 

sorry about that, it's an 08, 6.7 CC DRWD. I posted it in the 3rd gen section late last night.

 

If you press the EB switch does it change the amount of retarding power?

 

No, it doesn't change. Once it's engaged even if you turn it off and try to power thru it to shut off, it won't till you actually brake and get the speed down to about 30 mph before it will go off. Had it back at the dealers yesterday and they say it's the transmission and that it's working is normal! Ok then, can't wait till the tranny is all over the road, as the tech did mention that the tranny letting go has happened before. Unfortunately I live in the boonies and they are the only dealers within 2hrs drive, but I think I will take it to an independent shop (3 hrs away) that does turbo's and tranny's for a second opinion?

 

I don't want to sound as if I'm questioning your knowledge of your own vehicle, but is there any chance it's just the tranny downshifting? On my 06 if I'm lightly on the brakes going down a long grade it will automatically kick down a gear and I'm able to take my foot off the brake and let the gearing keep my speed manageable.

Edit: It still doesn't explain the slowing to 30mph aspect however. Once I touch the throttle my tranny shifts back to O/D.

 

If it is the tranny downshifting then it's not shifting in progression, as when it does it comes on so hard that it almost throws you thru the front window and then the tack just about redlines. You can't just touch the brakes lightly as soon as you lift off the throttle, thats when this all happens and its not gradual. The statement about slowing down to 30mph is the only way I can get either the exhaust brake to shut off, or if its the tranny, to shift into another gear.

 

I've had it down shift automatically while lightly dragging the brakes in T/H which put my RPM's above redline on several occasions. I personally do not try to achieve redline myself, but if the computer allows redline impingement in this situation it must be okay. It is a rather strong shift when it occurs and of course the faster I'm traveling the more harsh it is.