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

[MistaBain]

I am assuming good ol break clean will do? Should there be any lube put on there ie lithium grease or oil to prevent the sticking? Also has anyone had this issue with upgraded tb?

 

[MistaBain]

Whelp thanks to those who recommended the throttle body cleaning. So far I haven’t be able to duplicate under same driving conditions. I ended up using throttle body cleaner to remove the gunk around the opening and flap. I tried doing it with the tb on the truck and it wasn’t going to well so I took the damn think off cleaned it. I have 66k on the truck and it took a good deal of cleaning. I assume it’s blow by getting on there I wonder if guys that are running catch can are experiencing this? Thanks again for those who shared there thoughts!

 

[456789ram]

Got truck back they stated they is a new TCU software update (had this done in ‘23 that revision didn’t work) this is expected to resolve the issue. If it comes up again will try throttle body.
Note: FYI, also had roof stop lamp leak repaired from warranty but Ram doesn’t cover headliner that’s damaged due to leak what a disappointment.

 

[Vulpes]

Whelp thanks to those who recommended the throttle body cleaning. So far I haven’t be able to duplicate under same driving conditions. I ended up using throttle body cleaner to remove the gunk around the opening and flap. I tried doing it with the tb on the truck and it wasn’t going to well so I took the damn think off cleaned it. I have 66k on the truck and it took a good deal of cleaning. I assume it’s blow by getting on there I wonder if guys that are running catch can are experiencing this? Thanks again for those who shared there thoughts!

So after I cleaned the throttle body to address the random drops into neutral, I installed an oil catch can on mine, assuming it must be blow by that made the throttle body dirty. In the past year when I have checked the can, it has been dry and clean. I don't know why my throttle body was dirty. Smarter minds on here might know?

 

[Nascar Tommy]

So after I cleaned the throttle body to address the random drops into neutral, I installed an oil catch can on mine, assuming it must be blow by that made the throttle body dirty. In the past year when I have checked the can, it has been dry and clean. I don't know why my throttle body was dirty. Smarter minds on here might know?

Was your can installed properly? Here's mine after 3,000 Miles, almost half full.

 

[Vulpes]

Was your can installed properly? Here's mine after 3,000 Miles, almost half full.View attachment 180055

I believe I installed it properly, unless the inlet and outlet are mislabeled on the can? Or is the sintered filter not allowing flow through it?

That is a fair amount of oil in that can, makes me wonder about mine.

 

[50yroldrebel]

I have also experienced the same issue twice. I have only had the truck for 2 months! Joined here to find a resolution to the issue. Seached for TSB's and or recalls. Nothing yet.

 

[Nascar Tommy]

I have also experienced the same issue twice. I have only had the truck for 2 months! Joined here to find a resolution to the issue. Seached for TSB's and or recalls. Nothing yet.

Welcome aboard. Tell us about your truck, year, miles.

 

[19RebelGuy81]

Hello All,

Add another 2019 Ram Rebel to the list. 44k miles, second owner (I think), completely stock. I've owned it just a little over a year and a half and it's happened maybe 3 times. The latest was a few days ago while making a left turn. The shift indicator was flashing on 'D' and it said something to the effect of 'shift to park then to desired gear'.

Not sure if I have 3.92 gears, will have to confirm. I did notice people cleaning their throttle bodies did help, and at some point it was believed that it occurs when a voltage related to the pcm drops to 13 volts and change. (I'm summarizing after skimming, so if I got something wrong please feel free to correct me) I wouldn't think 13 volts would be low enough for any electrical component to 'wig out', but I could be wrong as there is so much electronic crap in these things now that anything is possible.

One other thing I noticed that seems to be relevant. When the engine is cold, particularly in reverse, I can put very tiny pressure on the gas pedal from a stop and it will work itself into 'buck' mode, where it goes into a loop of near stalls followed by recovery that makes the truck move more quickly in reverse. I had suspected either a tune up was needed or there was a dead spot in the TPS, but have not opened anything up to check. Something else I notice is that the transmission seems to shift fairly stiffly when cold, but then smooths out as the temp goes up. I just drove it 300 miles last weekend to a vacation spot and back, no issues except the stiff shifting.


Regardless, as a programmer, I don't understand the logic of why a 'shift to neutral' scenario is needed at all. If RPMS drop, or speed suddenly drops, I thought automatic transmissions were such that they wouldn't be able to stop the engine. Neutral doesn't save anything while driving, unless it's a runaway scenario or something?

@RamCares has a 2019 TSB come out yet? My local dealer is swamped on a regular basis and I'll not bother them without information about the issue in hand. I also won't put up with this for very long, as CA is dangerous enough, but I live in NJ where traffic is pretty thick as well. I don't need an insurance claim, law suit or the guilt of someone else getting hurt because my vehicle decided to just stop powering the drive train.

Hope everyone remains safe, and this is a real bummer. I do love my Rebel, but not enough to keep it with an unsolved safety issue.

 

[User_26887]

Cleaning my throttle body (TB) made a difference but when I was cleaning it, I noticed the clamp was pretty loose on the TB which made mine act like it had a vacuum leak. That presents many of the same symptoms especially if it throws your idle off. It can cause low voltage when the engine is stalls or stutters from the vacuum leak. This is more pronounced when starting a cold engine because of high idle for the first 30-60 seconds. Hope this helps. Also, check/replace your air filters.

 

[19RebelGuy81]

Cleaning my throttle body (TB) made a difference but when I was cleaning it, I noticed the clamp was pretty loose on the TB which made mine act like it had a vacuum leak. That presents many of the same symptoms especially if it throws your idle off. It can cause low voltage when the engine is stalls or stutters from the vacuum leak. This is more pronounced when starting a cold engine because of high idle for the first 30-60 seconds. Hope this helps. Also, check/replace your air filters.

Thanks Attaboy! I'll have to check that also. I don't know if it's software determining to throw the transmission into neutral based on voltage or RPM, but if it's voltage, it sounds like a different model alternator, one capable of putting out more voltage at lower rpm might be a workaround as well?

 

[Vulpes]

Thanks Attaboy! I'll have to check that also. I don't know if it's software determining to throw the transmission into neutral based on voltage or RPM, but if it's voltage, it sounds like a different model alternator, one capable of putting out more voltage at lower rpm might be a workaround as well?

Let us know if you figure out the software aspect of this effed up drop into neutral.

For my 2019 Rebel, which was dropping into neutral a few times a week, I cleaned my TB on August 4, 2022, and it has not dropped into neutral since the cleaning. That's almost two years without this d*mb factory option .

IMO, it wasn't even that dirty.

 

[Snekpete]

I rented a Jeep Wrangler for two weeks while in Florida. It was a hybrid with the 1.8 liter engine. The engine is a little sluggish until the electric motor kicks in, then the vehicle accelerates quite quickly. The charging plug had never been used, it was in the trunk well in the original factory wrapping and sealed. The Jeep got about 20 mpg.

Anyway, coming to a slow stop for a stop sign the Jeep slammed into park and had the shift to park and then D warning on the console. This is a completely different motor, 1.8 liter with an electric inline. But it has the same 8 speed transmission. Just an FYI.

 

[anthonya2006]

Been following this thread for a while, I have a 2017 rebel ram 1500 same issue, will be driving along and it just kills the acceleration and says shift to P. Have to turn the engine completely off and on again then it runs fine till it happens again, no error code. Cleaned the throttle body and it continued to happen. I had a mechanic look at the engine seems nothings wrong so assuming it has to be technical somehow. Bringing it in to the dodge ram dealership directly this week so any guidance to give them would be great so they don’t just come back with “we couldn’t recreate the issue”. I’ve had it happen like 5+ times on a drive home and it’s dangerous

 

[19RebelGuy81]

Let us know if you figure out the software aspect of this effed up drop into neutral.

For my 2019 Rebel, which was dropping into neutral a few times a week, I cleaned my TB on August 4, 2022, and it has not dropped into neutral since the cleaning. That's almost two years without this d*mb factory option .

IMO, it wasn't even that dirty.
View attachment 184107

You're right, Vulpes! That doesn't look that dirty at all. My throttle body wasn't bad either. There was a little bit of a build up but only on the ID of the throttle body and the back of the butterfly. I had a GMC Yukon years ago that was so built up that it would idle at around 450rpm.

Also, the bolts holding the throttle body to the intake manifold were easily turned. I snugged them conservatively as they're screwing into a plastic 'flange'. I cleaned the throttle body in place with Berryman B12 carb cleaner and a cloth. The first start was a little shaky as some of the cleaner got past the throttle body butterfly, but after it coughed it ran fine. I also put a bottle of Chevron in the tank and am driving it locally when I can. I tried reproducing by braking firmly coming to a stop and light acceleration into a turn to see if the RPM drops, and so far it hasn't. The issue also has not come up again, but that isn't proof yet as this has only happened to me 2 or 3 times within the last year and a half.

As far as the programming, I don't know if engineers look at this forum, but I'd love to know what putting the transmission into neutral is supposed to resolve. I could figure it out if I had the source code, but that is IP of Ram/Stellantis so I'm sure they won't share that with the public. I'm thinking this Saturday morning I'll connect my scan tool to the OBD2 port and set up a live recording while I go back to the intersection it happened last time. It was a left hand turn after stopping at a stop sign, so it had the firm braking and turning parameters other owners have reported. They've patched the software before for silly things like check engine lights for gas cap issues. If the condition is voltage specific, they could modify the value the voltage has to drop to for the error to trip. It's easier than putting in a replacement alternator that puts out more voltage at a lower rpm.

Sorry I don't have more yet, but it's been cooperating so far. I'll pop back in and update as things happen (or don't happen lol)!

 

[Snekpete]

My, how carburetors have changed! Fly by wire anyone?

 

[Vulpes]

View attachment 184848

My, how carburetors have changed! Fly by wire anyone?

When I took mine apart, I looked for hours, but could not figure out how to change the jets.

 

[19RebelGuy81]

Been following this thread for a while, I have a 2017 rebel ram 1500 same issue, will be driving along and it just kills the acceleration and says shift to P. Have to turn the engine completely off and on again then it runs fine till it happens again, no error code. Cleaned the throttle body and it continued to happen. I had a mechanic look at the engine seems nothings wrong so assuming it has to be technical somehow. Bringing it in to the dodge ram dealership directly this week so any guidance to give them would be great so they don’t just come back with “we couldn’t recreate the issue”. I’ve had it happen like 5+ times on a drive home and it’s dangerous

Hello anthonya2006,

That stinks. I hope the dealer was at least able to impart some wisdom if not just fix the darned thing. I've run mine several times after cleaning the throttle body and adding chevron to the tank. I'm almost half way through the tank (I work from home so I don't do much travelling) and haven't been able to reproduce it. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll go back to the intersection it happened at last time. Hard braking was mentioned in some of the other peoples' scenarios, so maybe I'll do more of that during testing. No combination seems to make it happen.

I also have to plug in my OBD2 magic box and see if anything is in historic. I might also put it into live data record when approaching that intersection. As soon as I do I'll report back here.

 

[anthonya2006]

Hello anthonya2006,

That stinks. I hope the dealer was at least able to impart some wisdom if not just fix the darned thing. I've run mine several times after cleaning the throttle body and adding chevron to the tank. I'm almost half way through the tank (I work from home so I don't do much travelling) and haven't been able to reproduce it. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll go back to the intersection it happened at last time. Hard braking was mentioned in some of the other peoples' scenarios, so maybe I'll do more of that during testing. No combination seems to make it happen.

I also have to plug in my OBD2 magic box and see if anything is in historic. I might also put it into live data record when approaching that intersection. As soon as I do I'll report back here.

Thanks, the dealership was finally able to figure it out. I had a pulsar after market tuner and that plus some PCM issues was causing the throttle body to not always open. So they removed the tuner and reset the PCM to factory and since then absolutely smooth riding!

 

[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.