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hard downshift

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50K views 27 replies 17 participants last post by  TransEngineer  
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#1 ·
my 2011 ram has a hard downshift. it kind or pops i guess you could say, it shifts fine going up threw the gears. i know its not normal because its noticeable, the truck has 43k on it anyone else have this?
 
#6 ·
TransEngineer - my Ram developed a hard downshift coasting down from 50 coming to a stop, off the throttle. Not sure if that's what the OP was talking about, but mine seemed to develop after about 20k miles (I have 62k on it now). When I initially bought the truck, it always had more engine braking built into it than I'm used to with other vehicles, but now it's a jarring downshift (sometimes does it probably earlier than it should).

Again, don't mean to thread jack -
 
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#7 ·
A consistent harsh coastdown shift may just be a Clutch Volume Index (CVI) value that has learned to an incorrect value, so the simplest thing to do (for starters) is to have your dealer run a quicklearn procedure on the trans. They do this with a scan tool (it takes less than a minute). The quicklearn resets all the trans adaptives to "factory" values, and then re-learns all the CVIs. So often that's a "quick fix" for a shift complaint.

I suspect your "engine braking" may be decel fuel shut off, although I'm not sure when that was introduced or which models it's on.
 
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#10 ·
I'm not sure what the official policy is (or even if there IS an official policy), and of course "Our dealers are independent businesses and we have no control over what they do (blah, blah)..." But I would hope that most dealers would reflash your PCM (if a new update is available) at no charge. A reflash should also include a quicklearn. These procedures take only a few minutes, so even if they do charge you, it should not be a big amount.
 
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#24 · (Edited)
Come on TransEngineer, A lot of the "stealership" comments on here are probably deserved, but if they are out of warranty why would you expect a dealer to work on vehicles for free? we gotta eat too.

I have done stuff like this for free for certain customers, but more and more it seems we get people coming in with a chip on their shoulder demanding stuff like this for free. I didn't build the truck or make a dime when the guy bought it, if FCA wants to step up that's great, but don't expect me to drop what I am doing and work on some guys truck that i've never seen before for free.
 
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#16 ·
See if you can figure out which shift is harsh. Use the ERS buttons on the shift lever to limit the top gear, then try a coastdown from each gear and see what you get. Get up to speed so you're in the max gear each time. Note that ERS "3" is an extra gear (we call it 2nd prime or 2P). Here are the shifts you should get (on coastdown to a stop) from top gear in each ERS position:

ERS "2" = 2nd gear max, you'll get a 2-1 downshift
ERS "3" = 2P max, you'll get a 2P-1 downshift
ERS "4" = 3rd (direct) gear max, you'll get a 3-1 downshift
ERS "5" = 4th gear max, you'll get a 4-3, then a 3-1 downshift
"D" = 5th gear max. I think you'll get a 5-4, then a 4-3, then a 3-1 downshift

Give it a try, and see if it's one particular shift that is harsh all the time.
 
#18 ·
I notice the hard down-shift as well...while coasting to a stop.
When I'm pulling my 32' travel trailer (6,000 lbs), that's when I notice the hard "Pop" into gears (like when it's trying to drop a gear). I use Tow/Haul mode when pulling too.
There are times that, when I put the transmission into gear (from park), the truck wants to lunge forward, and quite harshly too.
 
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#23 ·
RFtech53 said:
Hi all, I'm new here.

I'd like to know if this ever got solved. I just bought a 2016 RAM 1500 Laramie with 11,500 miles on it. Came in from a one year lease which was turned back in. Truck looks brand spanking new, other than a few primer spots I see on the top of the cab where the factory didn't spray it right. The gray primer spots are covered with clear coat. The dealer is trying to see if FCA will pay to fix it.

I'm having two issues that are making me wish I'd never bought the truck. I didn't notice either issue when I test drove it.

One is the very hard downshift from 2nd to 1st when I'm coasting to a stop. I drive very conservatively, so I'm usually coasting when getting ready to stop. I especially notice it when coasting uphill ... say when driving uphill and coming to a stop on an off-ramp from an interstate. I'll be doing 1-2 MPH and just before it comes to a stop, it feels like someone hit my rear bumper. The dealer erased the tranny CVI's this week in hopes that it would re-learn new shift points and stop doing it. That didn't work. In fact, I'd swear it's worse than it was.

I'm also having the dreaded wind buffeting noise outside the drivers window which to this point, the dealer hasn't been able to solve yet ... but they hear it. They've done the TSB which replaces the foam inserts between the outside mirrors and the door. I knew that wasn't the source, but they had to try it first.

Anyway, sorry to go on ... and I probably shouldn't mix issues in one post.
Click to expand...
Since you have a 2016 truck, I'm guessing you have the 8-speed trans. Posting this here (in the 2011 forum, when 8-speed was not available) may confuse people who will think you're talking about the 5-speed trans.
 
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