2019 RAM 4wd overheated performance temporarily reduced

[ak_darkknight]

I have a 2019 Laramie with the exact same issue. I live in Alaska and have a steep driveway, every time I try to turn at an angle and it spins and slips it’ll pop on every time without fail. Dealership said they’ve never heard of it.

 

[RamCares]

I have a 2019 Laramie with the exact same issue. I live in Alaska and have a steep driveway, every time I try to turn at an angle and it spins and slips it’ll pop on every time without fail. Dealership said they’ve never heard of it.

We are sorry for the trouble! Please feel free to send us a private message if you intend to address this further with your dealer. We would be happy to escalate a case on your behalf for further support from a case specialist!

Kathryn
Ram Cares

 

[kenthelawnguy]

Funny thing is this happened to me in my 2019 limited while in auto 4 during a rainy day. The dealer could not find an issue. I had to replace my battery after it had drained over a weekend when the truck stayed in the run position when I turned it off while on the phone and all of a sudden my auto 4 system started working again with no issues. I searched high and low and could find nothing about this happening to anyone else.

 

[kotn2515]

This is happening to my 2019 now as well - after a battery change too! Normal driving 4auto on slightly snowy roads … overheating notification comes on.

when the battery was first changed I had no auto climate - backup camera - and unable to get into 4auto at all - the ‘controls’ button the Uconnect was completely missing. After 12 hours systems came back on - but can’t run 4auto for more than 10 minutes without overheating - what a joke.

so much has gone wrong with my truck over 3.5 years - it’s staggering. Add this to the list

 

[blakem2013]

We had a good snow fall in Iowa 5-6 inches. I was driving into someone’s driveway and the vehicle kept complaining of 4wd overheated performance temporarily reduced the vehicle was slipping and there was no performance. The truck was at operating temperature. I was able to reverse just fine just moving forward. I have never seen this before. We have had other similar snow falls and I’ve spun all 4 tires up a hill before.

4WD high

thoughts
2019 ram limited v8

I have a 2019 Ram Big Horn edition. I get the same message almost every time I use 4WD, which is not much because I live in Texas. But today it happened again because we got a rare snow fall/ice storm and was driving (5 miles) to work in 4WD HIGH and got the same overheating message again. Other issues I've had is the wiper fluid stopped coming out and my oxygen sensors went out last year (haven't got them replaced). Otherwise, I love the truck.

 

[WXman]

Yesterday, in 4-low, on dry and loose gravel, I pulled against a rope THREE times for a total of probably 20 seconds attempting to help free another vehicle that was stuck and my system overheated and reduced performance.

Three quick and easy tugs on a rope in dry, loose gravel and the system throws in the towel?? That's PATHETIC. I bought a four wheel drive truck for a reason. This has me fired up. But what can I do? Swap in a 48-12 case and have it programmed?

 

[Maxmarik]

Did you ever figure out the problem with 4x4 Overheating?

 

[WXman]

Did you ever figure out the problem with 4x4 Overheating?

Essentially it's "normal". The 48-11 case uses clutches instead of a chain like the 48-12. So, when a lot of torque is applied (serious off road conditions, trying to help free someone from a ditch, lots of wheel spin, etc.) the clutches start slipping and the fluid heats up fast and then POOF the computer kills your front drive to protect components. It's a trash system.

It's not just Ram. Chevy has the same issue and there are YouTube videos showing even the ZR2 off-road model of the Silverado overheating in the same fashion. If I could do it over again I'd have just gotten the Ram 1500 Rebel.

 

[devildodge]

Essentially it's "normal". The 48-12 case uses clutches instead of a chain like the 48-11. So, when a lot of torque is applied (serious off road conditions, trying to help free someone from a ditch, lots of wheel spin, etc.) the clutches start slipping and the fluid heats up fast and then POOF the computer kills your front drive to protect components. It's a trash system.

It's not just Ram. Chevy has the same issue and there are YouTube videos showing even the ZR2 off-road model of the Silverado overheating in the same fashion. If I could do it over again I'd have just gotten the Ram 1500 Rebel.

Got to be careful when getting a Rebel as well. The newer years have the handicapped transfer case...because the PuBLiC knows what's best...hahaha

Tradesman for the win...

 

[Bt10]

Got to be careful when getting a Rebel as well. The newer years have the handicapped transfer case...because the PuBLiC knows what's best...hahaha

Tradesman for the win...

I've never felt so lucky to have dodged a bullet... I guess being a cheapskate has it's advantages.

 

[Scram1500]

There are a few things I miss from my 2017 DS Tradesman, this would be at the top of the list

 

[tomasese]

I replaced my transfer case over this. 2019 Ram Laramie. Just tried the 4 wheel drive in some sand on a short hill. No 4 wheel drive. I got up but with 2 wheels and with the overheated message. This really sucks. What to do, new truck?

 

[RamCares]

I replaced my transfer case over this. 2019 Ram Laramie. Just tried the 4 wheel drive in some sand on a short hill. No 4 wheel drive. I got up but with 2 wheels and with the overheated message. This really sucks. What to do, new truck?

Hello Tom,

Have you considered reaching out to your local Ram dealer for further assistance? If at any point you choose to go that route and get an appointment in place, do know that our team is available via private message for additional support at that time.

Lex
Ram Cares

 

[RAL]

Sorry to hear people are having problems.

Two questions:
Why are people using 4high and not 4auto? Not criticizing. Just asking. We have a 4Runner that lacks a 4auto and 4high can be used only where there is enough wheel spin front to back that you won’t wind the drivetrain. Rest of time it should stay in 2wd.
Is anyone using snow tires in those areas with a lot of snow? We have a ‘20 1500 Laramie with the Level 2 package. The wheels are gorgeous but the tire profile and the tread pattern, while beautiful on the highway, are ill suited to snow or anything seriously off road. If I lived in an area with a lot of snow (not really an issue here in MD) I would order a set of winter wheels and tires from Tire Rack.

 

[WXman]

Sorry to hear people are having problems.

Two questions:
Why are people using 4high and not 4auto? Not criticizing. Just asking. We have a 4Runner that lacks a 4auto and 4high can be used only where there is enough wheel spin front to back that you won’t wind the drivetrain. Rest of time it should stay in 2wd.
Is anyone using snow tires in those areas with a lot of snow? We have a ‘20 1500 Laramie with the Level 2 package. The wheels are gorgeous but the tire profile and the tread pattern, while beautiful on the highway, are ill suited to snow or anything seriously off road. If I lived in an area with a lot of snow (not really an issue here in MD) I would order a set of winter wheels and tires from Tire Rack.

Since the Auto selection allows more slippage at the center differential, it in turn builds heat even faster, which can lead to overheating even faster. I assume some guys try 4-high in an attempt to keep things locked up in the center diff and keep temps down. On snowy roads either is fine mechanically, but if conditions are rough enough I'd probably prefer 4-high also.

 

[silver billet]

Since the Auto selection allows more slippage at the center differential, it in turn builds heat even faster, which can lead to overheating even faster. I assume some guys try 4-high in an attempt to keep things locked up in the center diff and keep temps down. On snowy roads either is fine mechanically, but if conditions are rough enough I'd probably prefer 4-high also.

I would think the opposite; 4hi is constant "lock" whereas 4 auto is 2wd until computer senses slip and then engages the clutch.

Might be an interesting experiment. I haven't had any issues whatsoever in 4 auto, I've never used 4 hi/low other than on grass for a few seconds at a time pulling an rv around. But if you're getting this warning, try going to 4 auto instead and see if you can use it longer without the warning appearing.

 

[Belvedere]

Got to be careful when getting a Rebel as well. The newer years have the handicapped transfer case...because the PuBLiC knows what's best...hahaha

Tradesman for the win...

I know this is kinda old, but what's different about a Tradesman or handicapped on a Rebel? I've not heard this before.

 

[devildodge]

I know this is kinda old, but what's different about a Tradesman or handicapped on a Rebel? I've not heard this before.

This thread is about the issues with the 4auto transfer case.

When it was originally wrote the Rebel and the tradesman were the only 2 trims with the other transfer case.

Then, when I wrote that post the 4auto became available on the Rebel. So, the only way to be sure you do not get it was to buy a tradesman.

Make sense now?

 

[Belvedere]

This thread is about the issues with the 4auto transfer case.

When it was originally wrote the Rebel and the tradesman were the only 2 trims with the other transfer case.

Then, when I wrote that post the 4auto became available on the Rebel. So, the only way to be sure you do not get it was to buy a tradesman.

Make sense now?

Ah, yes, makes sense...

 

[Bt10]

I would think the opposite; 4hi is constant "lock" whereas 4 auto is 2wd until computer senses slip and then engages the clutch.

Might be an interesting experiment. I haven't had any issues whatsoever in 4 auto, I've never used 4 hi/low other than on grass for a few seconds at a time pulling an rv around. But if you're getting this warning, try going to 4 auto instead and see if you can use it longer without the warning appearing.

It is generally thought that the clutch slipping in and out in 4auto builds heat and the clutch constantly applied does not slip and build heat.