3.6l Etq. Absolute frustration with transmission!

[sizmtrz]

2019 Big Horn sport, 20” rims, 3.21 rear, and the 8? Spd auto.
Let me start by saying I love 98% of this truck! I mean no complaints other than what I about to address. But the 2% may cause me to move on, so if anyone knows of a fix, please fill me in.
I commute about an hour (55miles) each way to work, and much of it is stop and go. It’s that stop and go that brings to light a huge issue. A, the computer is SLLLLOWW. It often takes a good 2 full seconds to acknowledge my foot is now on the gas. Sounds like nothing but in congested traffic thats a life time. B) the truck will not just roll on throttle, it insists, every time, on not responding, then jerking a couple downshifts, and launching me forward... which leads to C). When letting off the gas and coasting the truck starts jerking the downshifts. It’s driving me batshit to spend half of my drive between 15mph-35mph and CONSTANTLY be jerking back and forth between launches, upshifts, and downshifts.
I assume this would be cured by a programmer of sort to soften and alter shift points, but I’m no auto tech. All I know, is in 30 years of legal driving I’ve never experienced and auto trans this crappy. Any ideas? Thank you!

Mark

 

[SpikeMike]

take it to the dealership. I have the same truck and I'm not experiencing this at all.

If you turn of start/stop, does the transmission still jerk?

 

[RamCares]

2019 Big Horn sport, 20” rims, 3.21 rear, and the 8? Spd auto.
Let me start by saying I love 98% of this truck! I mean no complaints other than what I about to address. But the 2% may cause me to move on, so if anyone knows of a fix, please fill me in.
I commute about an hour (55miles) each way to work, and much of it is stop and go. It’s that stop and go that brings to light a huge issue. A, the computer is SLLLLOWW. It often takes a good 2 full seconds to acknowledge my foot is now on the gas. Sounds like nothing but in congested traffic thats a life time. B) the truck will not just roll on throttle, it insists, every time, on not responding, then jerking a couple downshifts, and launching me forward... which leads to C). When letting off the gas and coasting the truck starts jerking the downshifts. It’s driving me batshit to spend half of my drive between 15mph-35mph and CONSTANTLY be jerking back and forth between launches, upshifts, and downshifts.
I assume this would be cured by a programmer of sort to soften and alter shift points, but I’m no auto tech. All I know, is in 30 years of legal driving I’ve never experienced and auto trans this crappy. Any ideas? Thank you!

Mark

Hi Mark,

Sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing with your truck. If you decide to address these concerns with your dealer, we would be more than happy to escalate a case on your behalf for further assistance. This allows us to have your concerns formally documented, as well as gives us the chance to connect you with a case specialist who can work alongside your dealer to find a potential solution to your concerns. Please follow up with us via PM to proceed in this manner.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[downsjh]

I have the 3.6, and the response time from when I remove the brake and it’s ready the go is quicker than my foot can press the gas. There should be no delay.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EtherRam]

2019 Big Horn sport, 20” rims, 3.21 rear, and the 8? Spd auto.
Let me start by saying I love 98% of this truck! I mean no complaints other than what I about to address. But the 2% may cause me to move on, so if anyone knows of a fix, please fill me in.
I commute about an hour (55miles) each way to work, and much of it is stop and go. It’s that stop and go that brings to light a huge issue. A, the computer is SLLLLOWW. It often takes a good 2 full seconds to acknowledge my foot is now on the gas. Sounds like nothing but in congested traffic thats a life time. B) the truck will not just roll on throttle, it insists, every time, on not responding, then jerking a couple downshifts, and launching me forward... which leads to C). When letting off the gas and coasting the truck starts jerking the downshifts. It’s driving me batshit to spend half of my drive between 15mph-35mph and CONSTANTLY be jerking back and forth between launches, upshifts, and downshifts.
I assume this would be cured by a programmer of sort to soften and alter shift points, but I’m no auto tech. All I know, is in 30 years of legal driving I’ve never experienced and auto trans this crappy. Any ideas? Thank you!

Mark

Mark,
I'm 90% sure that a Pedal Commander will fix your problem. Put it on "sport mode" and you'll notice immediate throttle response.

I had the same issue, paid $279 for a pedal Commander and have had no issues since. It's a great product, installs in like 30 seconds, and doesn't void any warranties. Good luck!

 

[jb772]

I occasionally have the same issues you have, I'd say 40% of the time I'm driving at slow speeds is when my transmission decides to almost shuttle shift, and when slowing down from like 15-5 it clanks into first.

 

[RamCares]

I occasionally have the same issues you have, I'd say 40% of the time I'm driving at slow speeds is when my transmission decides to almost shuttle shift, and when slowing down from like 15-5 it clanks into first.

Hi jb772,

Please let us know via private message if you decide to address this with your dealer. We would be more than happy to have this documented and provide you with an additional layer of assistance for that process.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Gusman4]

Sounds like it needs a tcm flash with latest transmission programming update but I don’t see one for the 3.6l on the tsb thread. The latest tcm tsb for the 5.7l fixed the 1st gear clunk and smoothed our the lower gear shifts.

 

[Wolf]

I too have the delayed throttle response followed by heavier acceleration with the same pedal input, 2 dealers both said "it's normal". I thought about the pedal commander but fear that the lag followed by a jump to life will be dangerously exaggerated by the pedal commander since it only changes the input level in relation to how the pedal is pressed it doesn't change the tune of shift timing.

I also experience the "shuttering, jerking, bucking". For me it is always the first ride of the day on cooler days. It also usually occurs when I get up to 50-52mph then coast/ light throttle around 47-52 mph. The dealer had it for three days and "could not duplicate". When it gets colder out(Nov....), if it is like when I first bought the truck, it will become more frequent and angrily violent. The dealer should be able to duplicate then. Unfortunately they only had one cold day out of the original 3 before spring was here.

There is a TSB that mentions the "bucking" on a 3.6l that I hoped would fix my issue, but my truck was already, "up to date".

Here are picks of the TSB. It's the May 9th one.

 

[silver billet]

I too have the delayed throttle response followed by heavier acceleration with the same pedal input, 2 dealers both said "it's normal". I thought about the pedal commander but fear that the lag followed by a jump to life will be dangerously exaggerated by the pedal commander since it only changes the input level in relation to how the pedal is pressed it doesn't change the tune of shift timing.

I also experience the "shuttering, jerking, bucking". For me it is always the first ride of the day on cooler days. It also usually occurs when I get up to 50-52mph then coast/ light throttle around 47-52 mph. The dealer had it for three days and "could not duplicate". When it gets colder out(Nov....), if it is like when I first bought the truck, it will become more frequent and angrily violent. The dealer should be able to duplicate then. Unfortunately they only had one cold day out of the original 3 before spring was here.

There is a TSB that mentions the "bucking" on a 3.6l that I hoped would fix my issue, but my truck was already, "up to date".

Here are picks of the TSB. It's the May 9th one.

There is a video of the sprint booster on this forum recently, just need to watch the first minute and 20 seconds. It clearly shows that the SB eliminates lag, it doesn't just amplify the distance you push the pedal. It's instant response to your input. Can't speak for the pedal commander.

 

[sizmtrz]

take it to the dealership. I have the same truck and I'm not experiencing this at all.

If you turn of start/stop, does the transmission still jerk?

Yes, I have experimented with s/s on and off, 2hi, 4 auto, 4,hi, tow/haul, trac control off, and manual shifting from the steering controls... nothing alters the herky jerkyness of the system. Oh, and I found a wondeful scenario where if Im holding perfect throddle near the 28mph zone, it looses its mind and cant decide if im on or off gas and gos back and forth between accelerating and coasting. So much fun. Its going in soon.

 

[RamCares]

I too have the delayed throttle response followed by heavier acceleration with the same pedal input, 2 dealers both said "it's normal". I thought about the pedal commander but fear that the lag followed by a jump to life will be dangerously exaggerated by the pedal commander since it only changes the input level in relation to how the pedal is pressed it doesn't change the tune of shift timing.

I also experience the "shuttering, jerking, bucking". For me it is always the first ride of the day on cooler days. It also usually occurs when I get up to 50-52mph then coast/ light throttle around 47-52 mph. The dealer had it for three days and "could not duplicate". When it gets colder out(Nov....), if it is like when I first bought the truck, it will become more frequent and angrily violent. The dealer should be able to duplicate then. Unfortunately they only had one cold day out of the original 3 before spring was here.

There is a TSB that mentions the "bucking" on a 3.6l that I hoped would fix my issue, but my truck was already, "up to date".

Here are picks of the TSB. It's the May 9th one.

Hi Wolf,
I am sorry to hear about your continued concern. If you would like any additional assistance while working with your dealer, please feel free to send us a private message. We'd be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist.
Alex
Ram Cares

 

[Wolf]

Hi Wolf,
I am sorry to hear about your continued concern. If you would like any additional assistance while working with your dealer, please feel free to send us a private message. We'd be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist.
Alex
Ram Cares

When it gets colder and the problem becomes amplified again, to the point that the dealer will definently be able to duplicate, I will send you a PM.

 

[Wolf]

There is a video of the sprint booster on this forum recently, just need to watch the first minute and 20 seconds. It clearly shows that the SB eliminates lag, it doesn't just amplify the distance you push the pedal. It's instant response to your input. Can't speak for the pedal commander.

Thank you. I understand what it does. My fear is that it will make the current 3rd gear instant increase in acceleration that much more quick. My trucks acceleration through the first 2 gears very much needs the SB or PC. It's the current/stock jump when it gets into 3rd that I don't want to amplify.

Maybe I should just bite the bullet and see what it does, but with the every once in a while violent bucking thing that I also wouldn't want amplified, I will probably hold off until that gets corrected.

 

[RamCares]

When it gets colder and the problem becomes amplified again, to the point that the dealer will definently be able to duplicate, I will send you a PM.

Sounds good, Wolf. We're happy to assist!
Alex
Ram Cares

 

[jlau76]

Not justifying the way the truck behaves, but my Passat, Golf, Jetta all did this (throttle lag, jerky etc...). I thought it was normal in this truck and didn't think it was an issue. But I must say that the only different between this truck and my VW is that when the truck is in 3rd gear and I am maintaining a low speed, feels like I am driving on rumble stripes. I think, and correct me if I am wrong, it could be attributable to the electric motor where it's doing the brake assist.

 

[Slow&easy]

I too have the delayed throttle response followed by heavier acceleration with the same pedal input, 2 dealers both said "it's normal". I thought about the pedal commander but fear that the lag followed by a jump to life will be dangerously exaggerated by the pedal commander since it only changes the input level in relation to how the pedal is pressed it doesn't change the tune of shift timing.

I also experience the "shuttering, jerking, bucking". For me it is always the first ride of the day on cooler days. It also usually occurs when I get up to 50-52mph then coast/ light throttle around 47-52 mph. The dealer had it for three days and "could not duplicate". When it gets colder out(Nov....), if it is like when I first bought the truck, it will become more frequent and angrily violent. The dealer should be able to duplicate then. Unfortunately they only had one cold day out of the original 3 before spring was here.

There is a TSB that mentions the "bucking" on a 3.6l that I hoped would fix my issue, but my truck was already, "up to date".

Here are picks of the TSB. It's the May 9th one.

My truck is going into the shop again for the 3rd time for this problem in 3 weeks. (trans shuttering) The last dealer said Ram knew of the problem (and put it in writing on my service ticket) and was working on a solution and should have a new flash by Mid December. I took my truck to a different dealer this morning and I'm not going to pick the truck up until it's fixed and I'm going to file a lemon law on it if it's not fixed by Dec 1st. Nobody should have to deal with this stuff and get treated like I'm asking to much for my new truck to work right. Everyone that has rode in my truck has felt it. It always seems to happen the worst in 5th and 6th, around 40 degree's, 30-45 mph and at lower Rpm's. I'm over it, I'm over being treated like it's no big deal and "it's kinda normal".

 

[Wolf]

Thanks for sharing. Keep us posted @Slow&easy .

 

[Slow&easy]

Here is the latest and most recent BS story on my truck now. I took it to a different dealer to get a second opinion. The tech drove my truck and didn't notice anything "un-usual". The service advisor did tell me that these trucks take "8000" yes eight thousand miles to learn. It may shift odd or act "funny" sometimes till it learns my driving style. The last dealer that did the "re-flash" told me it took "500-600" miles for it to learn. So the bottom line is Ram has an issue with the V6 E-torque 8 speed trucks and is BSing owners that this is "normal". This is not normal.. (They are buying time)

So I guess for now I'm going to spread the "truth" about how awesome my truck is and all the "real" problems is has with no actual fix. I asked for the dealer to document everything on my ticket. I'm thinking about making a well documented YouTube video about this problem and see what happens then. Maybe if enough people are aware there that is a "REAL" issue with these truck shifting someone will actually come up with a fix.
Just on a side note, this is the 2nd dealer to not check the fluid level on the truck. It seems all they want to do is plug it into the computer and look for an error code. I'm not going to give up on this. I paid for a new truck to work and function correctly. The most frustrating part is knowing there are others with this same issue and nobody cares because it's only a small percent of truck owners.

To sum this all up.. From the dealers mouths.. It takes between 500 and 8000 miles for your truck transmission to learn how to shift. (Bs no printed documentation from Chrysler to back that up) In that time you might have un-usual or odd shift behavior. (truck will buck and shutter and not shift down sometimes) This is "not" an issue says the dealer. Although my paperwork says "Ram is aware of the issue and is working on a new update due in mid December" I will scan in my documents tomorrow so anyone can read themselves.

 

[silver billet]

FCA has been struggling with the 8 speed + 3.6 combo since at least 2014. I remember reading the stories on the Jeep forum when they did that combo in the GC which was refreshed in 2014. The hemi + 8 speed worked much much better, from what I understand FCA built their own version of the 8 speed for use with the 3.6, but use the unmodified version of the 8 speed directly from ZF with the hemi. Don't know how true it is. I'm just saying that so that you don't get your hopes up for a quick fix, I would cut my losses and run if it bothered me that much.

Have you tried a "battery pull"? Disconnect power for an hour to reset the memory in the transmission?