Transmission falling out of Drive on downshift, blinking, displaying "shift to P" and back

[CajunHeat]

Well, I'm joining the club.

Have 60k miles on my 2019 Limited 4x4 and just started doing the Neutral drop thing. Sent a DM to @RamCares because after reading ALL 31 PAGES, the only real fix seems to be pulling the throttle body and cleaning it. Still on the fence about that because other members had the throttle body replaced and the problem reoccurred. What the hell, might as will try it as I already have a catch can installed. Wish me luck.

Pulled the throttle body and cleaned it today. Wasn't really dirty but cleaned it anyway since I had it off. Did the throttle body position reset procedure, think it was the right one. Took it for a very short drive but time will tell if this helps. Will report back if it did or not.

If you are hesitant about pulling the throttle body, don't be. It is right in front of the intake and took a total of 20 minutes to remove, clean and reinstall. And that was taking my time.

 

[Ruben-Ram5th 1500]

Well, I'm joining the club.

Have 60k miles on my 2019 Limited 4x4 and just started doing the Neutral drop thing. Sent a DM to @RamCares because after reading ALL 31 PAGES, the only real fix seems to be pulling the throttle body and cleaning it. Still on the fence about that because other members had the throttle body replaced and the problem reoccurred. What the hell, might as will try it as I already have a catch can installed. Wish me luck.

Good luck

 

[bigwidge]

Pulled the throttle body and cleaned it today. Wasn't really dirty but cleaned it anyway since I had it off. Did the throttle body position reset procedure, think it was the right one. Took it for a very short drive but time will tell if this helps. Will report back if it did or not.

If you are hesitant about pulling the throttle body, don't be. It is right in front of the intake and took a total of 20 minutes to remove, clean and reinstall. And that was taking my time.

How is it running now? Would you mind sharing the reset procedure?

 

[theblet]

How is it running now? Would you mind sharing the reset procedure?

Post in thread 'Throttle response'
Throttle response

 

[bigwidge]

Post in thread 'Throttle response'
Throttle response

Thanks! I'll give it a shot. I just cleaned the throttle body again last night, checked all fuses, and added some Techron to my gas tank as per another recommendation.

 

[CajunHeat]

How is it running now? Would you mind sharing the reset procedure?

Haven't put many miles on it yet but has not done the Neutral drop since. Doesn't run any different.

The throttle body reset is to turn the truck to the "on" position without your foot on the brake so you do not start the motor. Then slowly depress the gas pedal to the floor, about 15 seconds, then slowly release the gas pedal, 15 seconds. I did it twice starting the truck in-between cycles letting the truck idle down each time after starting.

 

[bigwidge]

Haven't put many miles on it yet but has not done the Neutral drop since. Doesn't run any different.

The throttle body reset is to turn the truck to the "on" position without your foot on the brake so you do not start the motor. Then slowly depress the gas pedal to the floor, about 15 seconds, then slowly release the gas pedal, 15 seconds. I did it twice starting the truck in-between cycles letting the truck idle down each time after starting.

Thanks! I just followed those steps - will report back after I drive it after work.

 

[CajunHeat]

Haven't put many miles on it yet but has not done the Neutral drop since. Doesn't run any different.

The throttle body reset is to turn the truck to the "on" position without your foot on the brake so you do not start the motor. Then slowly depress the gas pedal to the floor, about 15 seconds, then slowly release the gas pedal, 15 seconds. I did it twice starting the truck in-between cycles letting the truck idle down each time after starting.

I have run a couple tanks of gas and so far haven't experienced the neutral drop.

 

[Vulpes]

Hello neutral drop support group. Well my neutral drop is back. I cleaned the throttle body back on August 4, 2022, and it stopped dropping the truck into neutral while driving. The neutral drop while driving returned today October 10, 2024. This time I was in accelerating traffic on a freeway on-ramp and vehicles swerved around me. Will pull the throttle body when I get a minute and report back. Also reported this to NHTSB.

 

[ebland0724]

Hello neutral drop support group. Well my neutral drop is back. I cleaned the throttle body back on August 4, 2022, and it stopped dropping the truck into neutral while driving. The neutral drop while driving returned today October 10, 2024. This time I was in accelerating traffic on a freeway on-ramp and vehicles swerved around me. Will pull the throttle body when I get a minute and report back. Also reported this to NHTSB.

I had the same thing occur in traffic. I too filed with NHTSB. Was also getting PARKSENSE ERROR and SERVICE SHIFTER messages....which was occurring nearly DAILY! When I brought truck to dealer they found "can c star connector" was the issue and replaced it... $536.11. I called RAMCare and pleaded my case and got them to cover it, so I didn't have to pay anything out of pocket.
That was June 2024 and I have not had any issues since.

Additionally, I found this video <<

>> explaining the star connector. NOTE: I did not have the 33 mile issue that he comments on in the video.

 

[Vulpes]

I had the same thing occur in traffic. I too filed with NHTSB. Was also getting PARKSENSE ERROR and SERVICE SHIFTER messages....which was occurring nearly DAILY! When I brought truck to dealer they found "can c star connector" was the issue and replaced it... $536.11. I called RAMCare and pleaded my case and got them to cover it, so I didn't have to pay anything out of pocket.
That was June 2024 and I have not had any issues since.

Additionally, I found this video <<

>> explaining the star connector. NOTE: I did not have the 33 mile issue that he comments on in the video.

Sounds like there were several issues happening with your truck. More than just the drop into neutral, and daily, how effing frustrating!

Thanks for letting me know about the CAN C Star Connector. I'll explore it if I get more issues.

 

[Vulpes]

I checked for codes with my scantool and there weren't any codes. I pulled the throttle body tonight and cleaned the cr@p out of it, it didn't look that bad to me, but I dunno, here are some dirty pictures to enjoy! Let's see how it runs tomorrow.

 

[mrboost]

I checked for codes with my scantool and there weren't any codes. I pulled the throttle body tonight and cleaned the cr@p out of it, it didn't look that bad to me, but I dunno, here are some dirty pictures to enjoy! Let's see how it runs tomorrow.

View attachment 191051

View attachment 191050

You have a pretty clean throttle valve. This is unlikely to be the cause.

 

[Vulpes]

You have a pretty clean throttle valve. This is unlikely to be the cause.

I agree with your assessment. However, it was about that dirty when I cleaned it two years ago, and it then went two years without dropping into neutral while driving. Maybe my truck is haunted?

 

[screb]

Hello,
If any forum members need an additional layer of support while working with the dealer, please follow up with us via PM. What we can do is escalate a case on your behalf so that one of our Case Specialists could work alongside your dealer to find a potential solution to the concerns you’re currently experiencing. If you already have a case, we can give you case updates.

Rob
Ram Cares

Hello-

I haven't made in to the dealer yet because the problem is so sporadic & simply is more of an annoyance than anything else. ( the slipping out of gear while stopping) Personally I think we are talking something to do with transmission control and temperature. It ONLY happens to m when I am driving engine cold & come to an abrupt stop. Once the trans reaches a warm up temperature, it seems to be fine.
I am Michael Sarvis
[email protected]

 

[Johnmartin]

Hey all,

I'm having an issue in which my 2019 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x2 Laramie 5.7L V8 with 8 speed auto with 3.92 rear axle ratio and am hoping you can help. Upon braking and downshifting and perhaps more when vehicle is "cold", transmission occasionally falls out of drive without user input. The D indicator around the shift knob and in the instrument panel will blink. Tried to capture the blinking in the images below. In this case, the vehicle is parked more or less at a traffic light, but it has happened enough that I have scrambled and captured videos at 7 MPH as well. The instrument panel will also display the message "Shift to P then Desired Gear". In this time, the engine remains running and the transmission enters a neutral stage. This can be pretty dangerous when it occurs upon braking for a railroad crossing or yield and merge situation in which I cannot accelerate into traffic or away from a train. The transmission can be re-engaged by shifting to P then back to D. I do have 57,000 miles on the vehicle and this would definitely qualify as a powertrain issue, within warranty. I have taken the vehicle into the dealership with a description of the issue and a video. The shift knob was replaced to attempt to resolve with no change in issue frequency. I'll be taking it back this week for the last time. Is there a transmission programming change required for the rear axle ratio change that perhaps didn't happen? I bought the vehicle used and don't do much towing myself. I may prefer to swap the rear end for original 3.21 if required to resolve. Is anyone experiencing a similar issue? Any ideas to resolve? Please help

View attachment 77802View attachment 77804
View attachment 77803View attachment 77805

Get rid of it ASAP, my nephew was mowed down and killed by his Dodge truck,it shifted from park to drive and accelerated and without warning just mowed him down and we're still in disbelief and total shock how did something like this happen and I found out dodge knew about the problems with drive by wire transmission system in the past and they continue to install the system in vehicle's and unsuspecting owners could be killed by his vehicle and nobody thinks about something this crazy happening,, orther people saying they have problems with their trucks shifting into park when driving on the freeway and orther crazy maneuvers,sell it get rid of it, it's death without warning

 

[theblet]

Would lemon laws apply to this atrocity?

 

[RevNeely]

My 2020 did this twice then the factory battery died. The new battery seems to have fixed whatever the problem was.

 

[Konrad]

Well, gentlemen, I would like to join your club, please.
2019 Bighorn 4x4 Hemi eTorque with 128k miles. Today the dreaded neutral drop happened to me. After thorough reading through this thread, I can spot both similarities and differences with others' problems. To sum it up:

1. It happened right after I slowed down and took a right turn at about 10-12 mph
2. About 0.5 miles into the drive, after truck's first start of the day.
3. Display showed "Shift to P to START", not "then Desired Gear"
4. Turning the shifter had no effect. I had to stop to 0, turn the engine off and back on, and only then I was able to operate the transmission again.
5. The ambient temperature was some 80F (Florida)
6. Premium 93 gas
7. Fresh air filter (maybe 1000 miles on it)
8. Battery replaced 4 days prior and some 250 miles driven on it. During the first drive on the new battery the truck gave two or three random chimes, but no CEL, codes or messages.
9. The old battery suddenly died overnight and was unable to crank at 9V. I now remember that another neutral drop happened some 2 weeks prior to that, while the old battery was still working fine. It was during a 3-point turnaroud in a parking lot and I assumed it my own error and ignored.

Based on the "Shift to P to START" message, I'm assuming the ECM / TCM somehow thought the engine have stalled and that's why it demanded the full restart sequence.

Off to Autozone for some TB cleaner first thing in the morning, and then we'll see.

 

[bigwidge]

Wanted to give everyone here an update. I have cleaned my throttle body + reset procedure a total of 3 times, each time it buys me about 2-3 days where the "Shift to P" error will not happen. So my next logical step is to replace the throttle body. I've ordered that part and it should be here Wednesday. Going to put the new TB in, perform the reset procedure again, and run some Techron through.

The last time I cleaned it / posted about it, @RamCares reached out. I explained I had taken the truck to the dealer 3 times for this issue and each time they could not replicate. My truck is now out of warranty, and I explained that if I take it a 4th time then it should not be on my dime (since they failed to fix it the prior 3 times). Long story short, she said I would have to pay to have them look at it again. So, not exactly the customer service I was hoping for. This error code is going to get someone killed trying to cross a busy highway or railroad.