Rough Downshifting Coming to a Stop

[CodeTHR33]

I’m experiencing a condition where, while coming to a stop, the transmission shifts down pretty rough between all gears starting with about 4th gear, regardless of how light I am on the brakes. Then on takeoff, the engine seems to lunge the truck forward, despite trying to feather the gas pedal.

Truck is a 2019 Ram Big Horn 1500 DT Quad Cab with the 5.7 Hemi V8 VVT w/ eTorque.

@RamCares, can you please post a copy of TSB 21-005-19 Rev. B (or any newer superseding TSBs)? I have seen someone else mention this TSB for a similar issue and I think it may apply to my new truck. I have a due bill for a couple of items and I’d like to bring this issue up at the appointment as well. Thanks!

 

[RamCares]

I’m experiencing a condition where, while coming to a stop, the transmission shifts down pretty rough between all gears starting with about 4th gear, regardless of how light I am on the brakes. Then on takeoff, the engine seems to lunge the truck forward, despite trying to feather the gas pedal.

Truck is a 2019 Ram Big Horn 1500 DT Quad Cab with the 5.7 Hemi V8 VVT w/ eTorque.

@RamCares, can you please post a copy of TSB 21-005-19 Rev. B (or any newer superseding TSBs)? I have seen someone else mention this TSB for a similar issue and I think it may apply to my new truck. I have a due bill for a couple of items and I’d like to bring this issue up at the appointment as well. Thanks!

Hi CodeTHR33,

Sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing with your truck! I have gone ahead and attached the TSB in reference here. To ensure this TSB applies, we would like to get you back into the dealer to have a qualified technician review the details of the TSB and specifics of your vehicle. Once reviewed, the technician can then perform the repair procedure that best matches the symptoms and diagnosis of your vehicle.

If you’d like an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer, please do not hesitate to send us a PM. We’d be happy to help.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Rototerrier]

I just had this TSB applied by my dealer last week and the difference was night and day. I had the exact same complain as you. Now it shifts down smoother in just about all gears and comes to a nice smooth stop.

I also had them check my air conditioning temps, but all they could do was show me the "spec" sheet and tell me it was within proper operating params...but also admitted that they too believe the systems on the new trucks are weak but that they can't do anything unless FCA/RAM does something.

Good luck on the transmission update. I suspect it will fix you right up as it did me.

 

[SD Rebel]

I just had this TSB applied by my dealer last week and the difference was night and day. I had the exact same complain as you. Now it shifts down smoother in just about all gears and comes to a nice smooth stop.

I also had them check my air conditioning temps, but all they could do was show me the "spec" sheet and tell me it was within proper operating params...but also admitted that they too believe the systems on the new trucks are weak but that they can't do anything unless FCA/RAM does something.

Good luck on the transmission update. I suspect it will fix you right up as it did me.

You could do the a/c hack, seems to bring the temps down to the mid 40s.

 

[Rototerrier]

I have..but had to remove it to take it in and be able to complain.

 

[Willwork4truck]

My truck didn't experience the same rough shifts in anything except 2-1 however the reflash TSB did take care of it. Another vote for taking it in and asking for it, but you have to make a "complaint" first, they don't just apply TSB's.

 

[Jtr]

I am trying to wrap my head around this issue and I am wondering if I have the same issue. It's my first ram truck so I do not have a good baseline of knowledge to know if what I am experiencing is the same thing that others have complained about. Every vehicle manufacturer has a different drive train. I do notice a considerable forward motion out of a stopped position but I do not know what to look for in the downshifting. Is it something that should jump out at me to know it is an issue or is it something that only a ram owner would know?

 

[Willwork4truck]

Not sure. I had an F150 with a hard 3-2 that the forums referenced back in 2016. I tookm it in and same thing, TSB reflash took care of it.
Now this RAM was more like a “bump” down from 2-1, not harsh but noticeable (because the rest of the truck is so durn quiet). I had read of harsh downshifts here on the forum so in I went. Just take it in and see what happens.

 

[Jtr]

Not sure. I had an F150 with a hard 3-2 that the forums referenced back in 2016. I tookm it in and same thing, TSB reflash took care of it.
Now this RAM was more like a “bump” down from 2-1, not harsh but noticeable (because the rest of the truck is so durn quiet). I had read of harsh downshifts here on the forum so in I went. Just take it in and see what happens.

Thanks, I may just bring it in and complain about the hard forward shift out of stop and show them the TSB.

 

[HKP7PSP]

I just had two updates done while getting an oil change, including the above mentioned TSB. The shifting is noticeably quicker and smoother, especially with throttle tip-in while on the highway. However, the "bump" when letting off the brake is still present.. however, it's starting to make me consider another theory, and that is, that the transmission goes into a sort of neutral when coasting and stopped. I know BMW has this programmed into their later cars with the ZF8, and the bump is felt when you let off the brake, as it re-engages. I could be full of $#*% though too, but it seems logical. The new drive shaft didn't fix the bump either.

 

[ArcotRAMathorn]

Is there a similar tsb for non etorque v8?

 

[Ch28]

I just had two updates done while getting an oil change, including the above mentioned TSB. The shifting is noticeably quicker and smoother, especially with throttle tip-in while on the highway. However, the "bump" when letting off the brake is still present.. however, it's starting to make me consider another theory, and that is, that the transmission goes into a sort of neutral when coasting and stopped. I know BMW has this programmed into their later cars with the ZF8, and the bump is felt when you let off the brake, as it re-engages. I could be full of $#*% though too, but it seems logical. The new drive shaft didn't fix the bump either.

This is another thread that i think might help. My truck does it too. When i let off brake from a stop it has a slight jolt or shudder. The flange bolts seemed to fix it for this memeber. Trying to find time to take it in.

Differential or Transmission Clunk

****UPDATE**** Dealer called and said that after driving a few other trucks on the lot that the clunk appeared in all of them and nothing else seemed to have issue. So we shall see. My adviser just called. They are still looking at it, and gave some random BS response stating their service...

5thgenrams.com

 

[HKP7PSP]

This is another thread that i think might help. My truck does it too. When i let off brake from a stop it has a slight jolt or shudder. The flange bolts seemed to fix it for this memeber. Trying to find time to take it in.

Differential or Transmission Clunk

****UPDATE**** Dealer called and said that after driving a few other trucks on the lot that the clunk appeared in all of them and nothing else seemed to have issue. So we shall see. My adviser just called. They are still looking at it, and gave some random BS response stating their service...

5thgenrams.com

Thank you, but I would like to think they torqued the driveshaft down properly when they replaced my whole driveshaft back in June.

 

[go-ram]

I am trying to wrap my head around this issue and I am wondering if I have the same issue. It's my first ram truck so I do not have a good baseline of knowledge to know if what I am experiencing is the same thing that others have complained about. Every vehicle manufacturer has a different drive train. I do notice a considerable forward motion out of a stopped position but I do not know what to look for in the downshifting. Is it something that should jump out at me to know it is an issue or is it something that only a ram owner would know?

.
Are you sure you're not just feeling the brief pulse of extra torque from your eTorque system as you let off the brake? If you're not accustomed to the extra torque that any hybrid vehicle's electric motors can generate at stall, it can be a little unsettling.

I mean, you definitely should have your dealer's service people take a look at it, and be sure you take them on a short test drive to demonstrate the issue to them, to ensure there isn't some mechanical or firmware programming issue. But by your description, it's certainly possible that you're feeling the extra boost for the first half-rotation of the wheels that the eTorque system adds when you first lift your foot off of the brake pedal from a full stop and just touch the acelerator.

 

[Jtr]

.
Are you sure you're not just feeling the brief pulse of extra torque from your eTorque system as you let off the brake? If you're not accustomed to the extra torque that any hybrid vehicle's electric motors can generate at stall, it can be a little unsettling.

I mean, you definitely should have your dealer's service people take a look at it, and be sure you take them on a short test drive to demonstrate the issue to them, to ensure there isn't some mechanical or firmware programming issue. But by your description, it's certainly possible that you're feeling the extra boost for the first half-rotation of the wheels that the eTorque system adds when you first lift your foot off of the brake pedal from a full stop and just touch the acelerator.

That certainly can be it as well. I appreciate the insight and I'll just have them check it out when I bring it in the next time!

 

[Willwork4truck]

Is there a similar tsb for non etorque v8?

Mine was non etorque.

 

[brody.cepeaux]

That certainly can be it as well. I appreciate the insight and I'll just have them check it out when I bring it in the next time!

You could always ask the dealer to put the transmission back into learn mode. Its common on the 8speed after 10k miles or so to need to do a learn. The shop can do it in minutes.

 

[RamCares]

I am trying to wrap my head around this issue and I am wondering if I have the same issue. It's my first ram truck so I do not have a good baseline of knowledge to know if what I am experiencing is the same thing that others have complained about. Every vehicle manufacturer has a different drive train. I do notice a considerable forward motion out of a stopped position but I do not know what to look for in the downshifting. Is it something that should jump out at me to know it is an issue or is it something that only a ram owner would know?

Hi Jtr,

Please do not hesitate to send us a PM if you’d like an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer for this concern. We’d be happy to help.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[drumexpert]

I just had two updates done while getting an oil change, including the above mentioned TSB. The shifting is noticeably quicker and smoother, especially with throttle tip-in while on the highway. However, the "bump" when letting off the brake is still present.. however, it's starting to make me consider another theory, and that is, that the transmission goes into a sort of neutral when coasting and stopped. I know BMW has this programmed into their later cars with the ZF8, and the bump is felt when you let off the brake, as it re-engages. I could be full of $#*% though too, but it seems logical. The new drive shaft didn't fix the bump either.

I'd like to piggy back on your theory. I have noticed that I cannot recreate the "bump" when letting off the brake pedal on an incline. I know these trucks come with hill start assist so the truck won't roll backwards. I wonder if the bump is just the torque converter or clutch quickly engaging the correct gear (either first or second).

Have you noticed the "bump" on an incline?

 

[HKP7PSP]

I'd like to piggy back on your theory. I have noticed that I cannot recreate the "bump" when letting off the brake pedal on an incline. I know these trucks come with hill start assist so the truck won't roll backwards. I wonder if the bump is just the torque converter or clutch quickly engaging the correct gear (either first or second).

Have you noticed the "bump" on an incline?

I noticed that same thing! The first stop I come to every morning is an incline, and it never happens there. I also noticed it is worse in 80+ degree weather. It's been cold lately for August here in VA, about 65 in the mornings and 75 evenings, and it seems less bad than it was in July.

The TCM and PCM software updates my dealer did last night seemed to make it less... harsh, but it can still happen.