About to pull the trigger on a 15 PW, need some advice!

[Reloaderguy]

On the bright side, half your truck will be new by the time you get it back.

[nfb]

On the bright side, half your truck will be new by the time you get it back.

The power of positive thinking. I like it. I just hope it's the correct half.

[olyelr]

On a seperate note, the '16 1500 with the 5.7 and 8-speed I'm in gets phenomenal gas mileage.

Out of curiosity, what is phenomenal? 18ish? 20?

I wish the new PW's had an 8 speed.

[nfb]

The lifetime (8700 miles) average when I picked it up was 18.5 and in the 30 or so miles I put on it half city half highway it bumped up to 19. Coming from the PW which was averaging 13.5 and my 1500 at 14.5 I'm pretty impressed.

[olyelr]

The lifetime (8700 miles) average when I picked it up was 18.5 and in the 30 or so miles I put on it half city half highway it bumped up to 19. Coming from the PW which was averaging 13.5 and my 1500 at 14.5 I'm pretty impressed.

Yeah that is very impressive.

[BMWags]

Man that is so disappointing.

Similar things happening to my Raptor are driving me away from it. Had it for a year and put on 40,000 kms. It's seen the dealer 12 times. It wears you down no matter how awesome your truck is!

Good luck and I hope everything works out!

[nfb]

Ok, so TL;DR It's still not fixed.

I stopped by the dealership yesterday to grab my fuel and water jerry cans to throw in the rental for a camping trip I'm about to leave for. While I was pulling them out the technician came out and told me that the new parts were installed, that he had tested it once without a problem, and that as soon as he took it on a second test run that I could pick it up. So being the naive, impatient man-child that I am, I went and turned in the rental and waited on him to get back. He came back said he had run the transmission up to 180 with no warning light. The service report shows the following parts as replaced:

• Z68242852AD - 11 Function Cluster
  68186711AA - Cooler Valve Bypass
  52120000AA = Transmission Solenoid

I of course wanted to verify for myself, I was actually paranoid that it wouldn't give me the error and I would forever be wondering if it was truly fixed. Well my usual hill had been blocked off, so I just had the dirt lot next to it for a quick test. Put it in 4HI, brake 90% (just enough to keep from locking up), hold RPMs at 1500-2000 for 30-45 seconds. Transmission went from 162 to 164 and error light came on. Transmission continued to climb to 168 before leveling off. Light went off at 167.

Ok people be real with me. Is this me? Is it possible that temperature has nothing to do with this warning light, and it is all load-induced? Is that test too harsh for our trucks? Would any of you be willing to duplicate that process? I'm looking up lawyers. When I drop it off Monday, whatever solution they come up with will be the fourth and final required attempt before I can file a Lemon Law case. I just want to make sure I'm not the asshole here before I cause a ruckus. I mean the truck drives just fine. I'm still taking it camping this weekend, just no 4WD fun to be safe. If it is all me, then I'll suck it up and ignore the light when it comes on. But if there is even a hint of a chance that this is abnormal and that I am not abusing the truck, then I won't let it stand. Please let me know what you all think.


On a different note, I'm not sure if this needs to be a new thread but I had a similar question. I picked up the BAFX bluetooth OBDII scanner and the Torque pro app that it recommends. I tried to verify Transmission temperature with it once I got home, but the app wasn't receiving any Transmission data whatsoever. Has anyone else run into this issue?

[cruz]

Considering that your going to do what you normally use your truck for, this would be a good test to see how everything is working.
I would go out and put it through it's paces including the type of 4 wheeling that you do, WITHOUT trying to induce the problem and see what happens.

[willsz71]

Which dealership is doing the work? I'm from grants which is about 80 miles west of you and I also have a 2015 pw. I had to have whole front axle assembly replaced under warranty with only 11000 miles. I had it done at the dealership on the west side (I don't want to names) where I purchased the truck new. They had the worst service I have ever seen and will be taking it to the dealership on lomas to have the issues resolved.you may just need a different tech to look at it. As for being too hard on the truck, the things you have done to test it are not hard on it at all and should not cause the light to come on with temps that low. My truck runs around 165 to 175 all the time no matter what and I have never seen the warning light. It almost seems like there is a software issue with the tcm. Software will sometimes become corrupt for whatever reason. Have they tried just reflashing all the modules? By the way, I'm a heavy equipment/diesel mechanic for a local coal mine and I started out as a tech at the local Chrysler dealership a few years before it closed.

[PWRider]

IMHO. you are abusing you transmission. There is no point, none, nada, crawling in 4HI. If you are in 1500-2000 rpm range torque converter is not locked up. You are forcing it to act as you low gear. I can do that approximately doubling the torque but paying price of excessive slippage. Computer most likely detects significant difference between crank shaft and input shaft RPMs. That behaviour would be similar to the case of overheat since gear oil looses viscosity at high temp. CPU throws error code. I would agree it might be a bit misleading. Still there no point wheeling in 4hi unless you are blasting down desert road or on slippery snowy hwy. There is no shame in using 4 low. It's good for you transmission, engine, you have better control. Higher RPMs means you oil pump runs faster, your coolant pump runs faster. If you go slow, go in 4 low

[nts007]

Running your torque converter like that is seriously damaging to it. It is not meant for that and many many diesel guys kill their granny's like that just launching trucks let alone holding it for that duration. Don't do that. You will prematurely kill the tranny and could cause the torque converter to balloon or year itself apart. Your fortunate it's just a code at this point. Sounds like the truck is behaving normally and you're good to go

[OffroadTreks]

JEEZ! Powering up a hill in 4Hi in 1st gear. Yea, I think you need to learn the difference between 4Hi and 4Low. Hill climbs should be in 4Low.

“4-High”: As a basic rule of thumb, you’ll want to use the “high” setting if you’re going faster than about 15 mph. This is recommended when you’re simply trying to apply more traction during potentially slippery conditions, such as when you’re driving on snow, ice, rocky roads, or over muddy terrain. However, you generally don’t want to go over about 55 mph even in 4-High as this can cause damage to your transfer case.

“4-Low”: 4-Low generates much more torque than 4-High, and is to be used during more dire travel situations, i.e. when you’re traveling under 15 mph and are trying to get out of a tough driving spot. If you’re on a surface that is extremely slippery, doing a steep climb, or driving through dense mud, sand or water, then this is the time for 4-Low. As a second rule of thumb, if you are feeling tempted to go over 15 mpg, you can likely switch into 4-High without experiencing any added trouble.

[RustyPW]

I don't think he is abusing the tranny. How about this. Towing a 10,000 lbs. camper up a long hill in stop and go traffic in 4 Hi because of it being icy in spots. Once it levels out, you throw it into 2Hi. Happened to me.

[loveracing1988]

JEEZ! Powering up a hill in 4Hi in 1st gear. Yea, I think you need to learn the difference between 4Hi and 4Low. Hill climbs should be in 4Low.

“4-High”: As a basic rule of thumb, you’ll want to use the “high” setting if you’re going faster than about 15 mph. This is recommended when you’re simply trying to apply more traction during potentially slippery conditions, such as when you’re driving on snow, ice, rocky roads, or over muddy terrain. However, you generally don’t want to go over about 55 mph even in 4-High as this can cause damage to your transfer case.

“4-Low”: 4-Low generates much more torque than 4-High, and is to be used during more dire travel situations, i.e. when you’re traveling under 15 mph and are trying to get out of a tough driving spot. If you’re on a surface that is extremely slippery, doing a steep climb, or driving through dense mud, sand or water, then this is the time for 4-Low. As a second rule of thumb, if you are feeling tempted to go over 15 mpg, you can likely switch into 4-High without experiencing any added trouble.

Correct except for damaging your transfer case in 4 hi going over 55 mph, that was true back in the 70's but not anymore.

To me if the transmission can't handle the limited abuse he is putting it through it shouldn't be in these trucks. What he is doing isn't much different than sitting in stop and go traffic. Maybe a little more abusive but not much.

[PWRider]

I don't think he is abusing the tranny. How about this. Towing a 10,000 lbs. camper up a long hill in stop and go traffic in 4 Hi because of it being icy in spots. Once it levels out, you throw it into 2Hi. Happened to me.

4hi or 2wd makes no difference on tranny. and yes you could come up with on-road scenario where you would overheat tranny. For example doing same in 115 heat. So? One may have to stop and let it cool down. In off-road situation there already a remedy called 4 low. Why not use it? Just so many times I hear from nubs. I did such and such in 2wd or 4hi. Like it's unmanly to engage 4low.

[nts007]

No what's damaging is sitting there with 90% brakes while holding 3000+ rpm for 30-40 seconds. it isn't near the same as using 4wd on an uphill or slow climbing. Because the torque converter is not being as restricted. You have to think the torque converter is a vicious coupling unit when unlocked. Yes it's strong. But it's not invulnerable. Heat and unyielding stress will destroy it quickly. And the fluid will cavitate and lose viscosity faster and faster even though the line tempature isn't running as hot, the converter temp will rise very very fast to dangerous levels.
Switching in and out of 4hi and 2hi at speed is not an issue. No problems there. There is a synchro system inside the tcase that aligns it.
As far as crawling in 4hi vs 4 low there are a number of things. 4low will reduce stress on the engine and transmission. As well being you are going to be using higher rpm in 4low so you will have better oil pressure, better cooling and water pump flow. But that doesn't mean you need to be in 4low every time you need 4wd.

Of everything mentioned though stresses will be applied but generally they will all be within reasonable spec that may require new tranny fluid sooner than others. But dont torque stand in 4wd!!!!

[RustyPW]

I don't think he is abusing the tranny. How about this. Towing a 10,000 lbs. camper up a long hill in stop and go traffic in 4 Hi because of it being icy in spots. Once it levels out, you throw it into 2Hi. Happened to me.

4hi or 2wd makes no difference on tranny. and yes you could come up with on-road scenario where you would overheat tranny. For example doing same in 115 heat. So? One may have to stop and let it cool down. In off-road situation there already a remedy called 4 low. Why not use it? Just so many times I hear from nubs. I did such and such in 2wd or 4hi. Like it's unmanly to engage 4low.

Most everyone is missing the point. His temps are staying about normal. But his warning is coming on. So what is trigging the warning? We've gotten away from his problem with different scenarios.

[Reloaderguy]

I don't think he is abusing the tranny. How about this. Towing a 10,000 lbs. camper up a long hill in stop and go traffic in 4 Hi because of it being icy in spots. Once it levels out, you throw it into 2Hi. Happened to me.

4hi or 2wd makes no difference on tranny. and yes you could come up with on-road scenario where you would overheat tranny. For example doing same in 115 heat. So? One may have to stop and let it cool down. In off-road situation there already a remedy called 4 low. Why not use it? Just so many times I hear from nubs. I did such and such in 2wd or 4hi. Like it's unmanly to engage 4low.

Most everyone is missing the point. His temps are staying about normal. But his warning is coming on. So what is trigging the warning? We've gotten away from his problem with different scenarios.

I would have thought the problem was a faulty trans sensor or control module.

[nfb]

I take mine to the one on Lomas, and they have been great so far. I took my 1500 to the other one once, and was not impressed. I was in your neck of the woods this weekend at Bluewater. It was awesome except the downpour we got on Friday night. So far they have not re-flashed anything and I'm not sure why, I asked them to from the beginning.

Thank you for your input, I have been worried that I was being too rough and these responses are proving me right. It's strange because I have always been very gentle on my vehicles. Especially one this expensive. I also never power brake, 2wd or 4wd, but it was a predictable way to replicate the error. An error by the way that the first time I got I was going up a hill that I have taken my 1500 up in 4 AUTO. To be fair the only reason I came up with that test was because the Ram technician that I took for a ride asked to me to do it, and that's how I know that it causes the error in 2wd and 4wd. I promise you I am not afraid of 4LO. Having an actual 4LO is one of the main reasons I bought this truck. Like I said I would never power brake in

I guess I don't understand as well as I thought I did. What would you recommend for long, sandy hills? For example http://www.motortech4x4.co.nz/user_file ... 20Hill.jpg
I run into stuff like this no matter where I go in my area. Even aired down to 20-30 PSI, If I try in 4LO, I don't have enough momentum, and I'm digging in as soon as I start. I need 4HI to build up enough speed to carry me, but at the top I'm going under 15 mph. This has given me the error message in question also.



Thank you all for responding. I appreciate the knowledge bombs, if not the perceived tone of them. I do not necessarily agree that I am the cause of the problem, but I do agree that I should lower my expectations of the truck. It is just a stock 2500 with a couple bells and a ridiculous price tag after all, despite the hype and marketing behind it. Multiple technicians have seen the same issue though, so I'm not the only dummy here. Is it possible that the error message is actually due to the torque converter heating up? It would make sense that there isn't a specific message for each tranny component. If that isn't the case then I believe there is something wrong with the truck. If that is the case, it is not my job to diagnose the problem. So unless somebody can explain to me exactly what is happening and how it's my fault, I'm going to operate under the assumption that the truck has a problem.

[Colibri]

I have no idea whats causing your problem, but my assumption would be that its software related and a reflash might be the answer. Your truck should be capable of doing what you're asking of it without any problems whatsoever. I hope you can get competent help at the dealership and get things sorted out so you are able to enjoy your new truck. Good luck man!

[Will]

Man, this thread went offroad, did yall use 4lo ?

I don't think your test method will kill it, it's not like you do that all of the time. The temperature is low when it triggers so there's something going on that's not how it should be.

I'm shooting from the hip here but have you simply disconnected the battery and reconnect to see if the system will reset or something?

[nfb]

Man, this thread went offroad, did yall use 4lo ?

I don't think your test method will kill it, it's not like you do that all of the time. The temperature is low when it triggers so there's something going on that's not how it should be.

I'm shooting from the hip here but have you simply disconnected the battery and reconnect to see if the system will reset or something?

No, because that would make too much sense.lol. I'll try that this morning.

[nfb]

This was in 2wd. Yes I power braked, dont kill me. I didn't go over 1500 rpm and timed it. This took 13 seconds and the temp only rose 2 degrees. I don't consider that abusive, and I bet any other functioning PW wouldn't have blinked at that little experiment.

[PWRider]

You can go plenty fast in low range if you can stand the noise. Theoretically you can get to about 55-60 flat out. 30-40 not a problem you can do that all day long. Getting up that hill is a bear not because truck lacks power but because it will hop you to death somewhere past half way up.

[adeluca73]

Uhhh, don't know, but me think power brake is tripping a fault condition sensor , that's apparently not temperature related...

Has it ever faulted on you w/o doing the power brake deal?