Shifter knob issues, 2019 RAM 1500, help- BRAND NEW

[dutchman187]

Interesting indeed. Mine was much less frequent than yours, and I didn't have the sound when hitting the brake. Service department just called and said they ran two trans updates and haven't had an issue since on mine. Time will tell.

 

[ChadT]

Interesting indeed. Mine was much less frequent than yours, and I didn't have the sound when hitting the brake. Service department just called and said they ran two trans updates and haven't had an issue since on mine. Time will tell.

Hmm.
So for one guy he needed a new transmission.
For you it was software.

Interesting an odd, that might be why they're having a hard time diagnosing this at the factory level, there's two things going on that don't happen to every truck

 

[dutchman187]

Hmm.
So for one guy he needed a new transmission.
For you it was software.

Interesting an odd, that might be why they're having a hard time diagnosing this at the factory level, there's two things going on that don't happen to every truck

Well I'm going to be cautiously optimistic it is software, but I don't think we can definitively say that for a few more thousand trouble free miles. Mine had only occurred 3 times over 700 miles total. So it wasn't going to be easily replicated even before they ran the supposed "fix" in the software. So them saying no issues after they ran the update doesn't really prove much yet. I totally hope it is though! We will see over the next few months if it happens again or not.

 

[ChadT]

Ok thanks for the upload advice. Here is the link to the video

Hmm.

So the sound it makes when you hit the brake, my 4th gen does that. (I've not had a transmission issue on my 4th gen).
It makes a noise sometimes when I hit the brake.

Try something odd, I have no idea if this will help:
- When you hit the brake, give it a little more brake, turn the dial to the left (yes it's on park), but give it a little oomph, then turn right (With oomph) to drive. See if that helps at all

Edit: Here's my goofy theory. I think that there's a chance the dial is kind of lost, not sure where it is in its rotation. Or perhaps the part that clicks (From the dial) isn't in the right spot.
Just a thought

 

[Andray24]

To replicate it I simply had to change a few settings either on the instrument cluster or the main 8.4" display. Then go to shift into D and most of the time this will happen. On my video when it had happened I shutdown the truck. Started recording and it still wouldn't go into drive properly as you could see.

The brake noise just started happening today. I pressed the power adjustable pedal buttons for the first time and right away after pressing them the brake pedal now make a sound behind the shifter knob. It definately wasn't happening before. I also know exactly what the sound is.( It's a solonoid or servo which enablse/disables the knob depending on whether or not you brake pedal is pushed). The thing is it is now making a sound which it didn't until i... Well just had to touch the button.

 

[RamCares]

Brand new 2019 rebel. Picked it up 3 days ago(200km) and this has happened to me about 15 times so far. I have a great video of it as well as an odd noise coming from my shifter knob area. I know how to replicate it too. Dropped it back off at the dealer today. How can I upload the video it's 125 mb

To replicate it I simply had to change a few settings either on the instrument cluster or the main 8.4" display. Then go to shift into D and most of the time this will happen. On my video when it had happened I shutdown the truck. Started recording and it still wouldn't go into drive properly as you could see.

The brake noise just started happening today. I pressed the power adjustable pedal buttons for the first time and right away after pressing them the brake pedal now make a sound behind the shifter knob. It definately wasn't happening before. I also know exactly what the sound is.( It's a solonoid or servo which enablse/disables the knob depending on whether or not you brake pedal is pushed). The thing is it is now making a sound which it didn't until i... Well just had to touch the button.

Hi Andray24,
We're very sorry you are experiencing this on your brand new truck. If you would like any extra assistance while your truck is at the dealer, please send us a private message and we would be happy to help you out.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[th3duke]

Ok thanks for the upload advice. Here is the link to the video

I have the very same issue - thank you for making this video! Please let us know what happens, mine doesn't do it very often and the dealer can't fix anything that can't be replicated or doesn't have a code.

 

[ChadT]

Hi Andray24,
We're very sorry you are experiencing this on your brand new truck. If you would like any extra assistance while your truck is at the dealer, please send us a private message and we would be happy to help you out.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

Excuse me while I waste everyone's time with a long post (as usual) but I feel like this needs to be said, I think I speak for many of us too, I'm just the messenger today.

I'm assuming there's a few of you there at the Ram Cares account?
I've seen "Ramcares" on a few of the boards I ended up browsing on to find information -
You've got guts Ramcares, guts and grit. Sure, you've got a standard message format you've got to work with but, you're stuck fielding some of what we the customer end up sending.

I'm thinking you didn't assemble these trucks, or design them.
Nor are you the supplier who goofed, nor a tech who fixes it, or the guy who forgot to maintain a machine that failed to glue a bushing on a tailgate, etc. And you're stuck fielding the comments right at the "point of attack".
That moment when we (the customers) are at our most pissed off and seeing red.
"Our G-D $ _ _, _ _ _ truck that once smelled new rolling off the lot has WHAT issue?!"
And so at some point in our frustration we end up here, on other boards, sometimes constructive, sometimes Full Mel-Gibson rage rant mode. And you're stuck with it.

Nothing's perfect in life - nothing man made anyway.
I do hope my incoming Rebel doesn't have issues.
But if it does, I'm pretty thankful that I have a fighting chance things get taken care of, and people willing to crawl through digital glass to help me try to fix it.
... or at least get a band aid on it while the engineers in Michigan figure out what's wrong!

Thank you for your time, I appreciate what you're doing over there,
- Some loyal customer won over by the Ram brand a few years ago

 

[RamCares]

Excuse me while I waste everyone's time with a long post (as usual) but I feel like this needs to be said, I think I speak for many of us too, I'm just the messenger today.

I'm assuming there's a few of you there at the Ram Cares account?
I've seen "Ramcares" on a few of the boards I ended up browsing on to find information -
You've got guts Ramcares, guts and grit. Sure, you've got a standard message format you've got to work with but, you're stuck fielding some of what we the customer end up sending.

I'm thinking you didn't assemble these trucks, or design them.
Nor are you the supplier who goofed, nor a tech who fixes it, or the guy who forgot to maintain a machine that failed to glue a bushing on a tailgate, etc. And you're stuck fielding the comments right at the "point of attack".
That moment when we (the customers) are at our most pissed off and seeing red.
"Our G-D $ _ _, _ _ _ truck that once smelled new rolling off the lot has WHAT issue?!"
And so at some point in our frustration we end up here, on other boards, sometimes constructive, sometimes Full Mel-Gibson rage rant mode. And you're stuck with it.

Nothing's perfect in life - nothing man made anyway.
I do hope my incoming Rebel doesn't have issues.
But if it does, I'm pretty thankful that I have a fighting chance things get taken care of, and people willing to crawl through digital glass to help me try to fix it.
... or at least get a band aid on it while the engineers in Michigan figure out what's wrong!

Thank you for your time, I appreciate what you're doing over there,
- Some loyal customer won over by the Ram brand a few years ago

Congrats on your Rebel purchase! We sincerely appreciate your kind words, ChadT! As members of the Customer Care Team, we understand that nothing is perfect so we will add an additional layer of support whenever we can. We will do our best to put you in touch with specialists that can help with each situation. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you ever need any assistance with your truck!
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Scamp30]

Well I'm going to be cautiously optimistic it is software, but I don't think we can definitively say that for a few more thousand trouble free miles. Mine had only occurred 3 times over 700 miles total. So it wasn't going to be easily replicated even before they ran the supposed "fix" in the software. So them saying no issues after they ran the update doesn't really prove much yet. I totally hope it is though! We will see over the next few months if it happens again or not.

I had the latest updates and mine is still doing it. Although mine was doing it quite frequently from the beginning. I am quite confident that it has to do with the parking pawl not disengaging. The reason the pawl isn't disengaging is the real question...is it a mechanical defect overlooked in QC at the factory, an issue with the the shifter knob, or a software control issue.
I'd be surprised if it was the knob or software since this was used on the previous model with no issues that I'm aware of...and surely if there were issues they would've figured it out by now. I've owned three Rams with the 8 speed electric transmission starting when they first came out without any issues and this is the first issue I've had with it. I think the mechanical issue is most likely and that its literally getting stuck. It could be a valve in the valve body or the pawl itself but given that I've only had issues on level ground i'd lean towards the valve body. Changing out the transmission replaces both of these. We already have 1 data point of changing the transmission fixing the problem. Has anyone had issues while it wasn't on fairly flat surfaces? (In example a steep hill)

 

[Bram2019]

I had the latest updates and mine is still doing it. Although mine was doing it quite frequently from the beginning. I am quite confident that it has to do with the parking pawl not disengaging. The reason the pawl isn't disengaging is the real question...is it a mechanical defect overlooked in QC at the factory, an issue with the the shifter knob, or a software control issue.
I'd be surprised if it was the knob or software since this was used on the previous model with no issues that I'm aware of...and surely if there were issues they would've figured it out by now. I've owned three Rams with the 8 speed electric transmission starting when they first came out without any issues and this is the first issue I've had with it. I think the mechanical issue is most likely and that its literally getting stuck. It could be a valve in the valve body or the pawl itself but given that I've only had issues on level ground i'd lean towards the valve body. Changing out the transmission replaces both of these. We already have 1 data point of changing the transmission fixing the problem. Has anyone had issues while it wasn't on fairly flat surfaces? (In example a steep hill)

The fact it is intermittant leads me to believe you have a valve body issue. The TCM is part of the valve body and the valve body contains the park solenoid and sensor. The shifter just sends a bussed message to the tcm to do what you ask. If the tech replaces the valve body that would probably correct it. But that dealer may have restrictions on what repairs they can do. He could also set up a data recorder to see if you can make it happen and have the data recorded that is needed to confirm this.

 

[Scamp30]

The fact it is intermittant leads me to believe you have a valve body issue. The TCM is part of the valve body and the valve body contains the park solenoid and sensor. The shifter just sends a bussed message to the tcm to do what you ask. If the tech replaces the valve body that would probably correct it. But that dealer may have restrictions on what repairs they can do. He could also set up a data recorder to see if you can make it happen and have the data recorded that is needed to confirm this.

Yea, I've had this conversation with the dealer too but with it being intermittent it's going to be difficult to catch the event. The technician has already had my truck for several days and ran up the mileage with no luck. I've been a technician for 15 years and when you determine what the most likely culprit is then sometimes you have to change it out to see if it is the problem. It has already been narrowed down to the transmission with only 1 data point but if they'll change out the valve body then it can be narrowed down further (good for the company.... a lot cheaper fix) or they can change out the transmission again and get a second data point. Of course this is assuming that the new valve body doesn't have the same issue in either case... it seems as though the number of people with this issue is low but ever increasing. I've been fairly patient and I'd rather have my $60k truck fixed rather than having someone else driving it around.

 

[dutchman187]

One thing I've noticed is after the two trans updates they ran, my shifting is actually a bit "harsher" in low gears. Everyone has posted it smoothed things out for them, but mine is much more noticeable. Is it "re-learning" again? It seems to stick a bit in 4th gear as well before actually shifting. The shifting is more noticeable when accelerating slowly, not as much when hitting the gas a bit more.

 

[Bram2019]

One thing I've noticed is after the two trans updates they ran, my shifting is actually a bit "harsher" in low gears. Everyone has posted it smoothed things out for them, but mine is much more noticeable. Is it "re-learning" again? It seems to stick a bit in 4th gear as well before actually shifting. The shifting is more noticeable when accelerating slowly, not as much when hitting the gas a bit more.

Depending which transmission is in the truck, it can be quick learned using witech. If that option is not available on witech it needs to be drive learned. It is a long winded procedure to do this. You can keep driving it and it will learn as you drive. But certain gears only learn at certain rpms, speed, and torque input. So you can keep driving looking for improvement or go to the dealer and ask if they can do a drive learn procedure. This usually takes 2.5 hours of driving using a laptop and 2 guys.

 

[th3duke]

I had the latest updates and mine is still doing it. Although mine was doing it quite frequently from the beginning. I am quite confident that it has to do with the parking pawl not disengaging. The reason the pawl isn't disengaging is the real question...is it a mechanical defect overlooked in QC at the factory, an issue with the the shifter knob, or a software control issue.
I'd be surprised if it was the knob or software since this was used on the previous model with no issues that I'm aware of...and surely if there were issues they would've figured it out by now. I've owned three Rams with the 8 speed electric transmission starting when they first came out without any issues and this is the first issue I've had with it. I think the mechanical issue is most likely and that its literally getting stuck. It could be a valve in the valve body or the pawl itself but given that I've only had issues on level ground i'd lean towards the valve body. Changing out the transmission replaces both of these. We already have 1 data point of changing the transmission fixing the problem. Has anyone had issues while it wasn't on fairly flat surfaces? (In example a steep hill)

I've had the problem again today, and it always happens when I back the truck up. This time I was backing into my driveway (very light slope) and because I backed up to far, I wanted to bring it forward a bit, and nadda, nothing, ziltch - it wouldn't go into drive, until I put it back into reverse and then it would shift into drive.

I'll be bringing it to the dealer on the 29th (earliest date I could get), for the knock when I turn and this problem. I'm surprised there isn't a TSB for this yet.

 

[th3duke]

To replicate it I simply had to change a few settings either on the instrument cluster or the main 8.4" display. Then go to shift into D and most of the time this will happen. On my video when it had happened I shutdown the truck. Started recording and it still wouldn't go into drive properly as you could see.

The brake noise just started happening today. I pressed the power adjustable pedal buttons for the first time and right away after pressing them the brake pedal now make a sound behind the shifter knob. It definately wasn't happening before. I also know exactly what the sound is.( It's a solonoid or servo which enablse/disables the knob depending on whether or not you brake pedal is pushed). The thing is it is now making a sound which it didn't until i... Well just had to touch the button.

@Andray24 Any developments with this issue?

 

[Jaketerk]

I need a little input on whether or not there is a real repair for this problem... About 5 out of 10 times i put this truck in Drive, it does NOTHING. Nothing clicks and it acts as if its still in Park. Only when i slowly depress the pedal does it pop into gear and lunge forward. This is not good nor safe. Ive 500 miles on the truck already and am about ready to return it if there is no real fix for this issue. Open to opinions and input! Thanks, Doug

Same thing happening here. Happened to me 5 times with less than 1000 miles. Dealer can’t replicate. Time to get an attorney. Here is a video of my problem:

 

[Jaketerk]

Brand new 2019 rebel. Picked it up 3 days ago(200km) and this has happened to me about 15 times so far. I have a great video of it as well as an odd noise coming from my shifter knob area. I know how to replicate it too. Dropped it back off at the dealer today. How can I upload the video it's 125 mb

Here is my video. I assume this is what you are experiencing:

 

[dutchman187]

Same thing happening here. Happened to me 5 times with less than 1000 miles. Dealer can’t replicate. Time to get an attorney. Here is a video of my problem:

What did your dealer say when they watched the video?

 

[Brobee]

I need a little input on whether or not there is a real repair for this problem... About 5 out of 10 times i put this truck in Drive, it does NOTHING. Nothing clicks and it acts as if its still in Park. Only when i slowly depress the pedal does it pop into gear and lunge forward. This is not good nor safe. Ive 500 miles on the truck already and am about ready to return it if there is no real fix for this issue. Open to opinions and input! Thanks, Doug

Just had this happen to me on Saturday!