So I got off work tonight at 1 A.M. and we were having the coldest temps in over a decade.

Much to my surprise the D fired right up, even at 19 below with a battery that has seen more abuse than I care to describe. (Seriously, I was surprised. I already had a coworker pulling around to jump start me. We were both glad to not have to screw around with a jump start in minus 30 wind chills... )

Engine ran great, but obviously the shifts were a little late at first. Took it easy to let things warm up, and everything went great on the way home except for it never shifting into 4th gear (overdrive). After 5 minutes of driving, all the other shifts were happening right at the right time, just as if it was July. At 55 mph the engine was revved to about 3 grand. (Usually a little under 2 grand at that speed...)

I took back roads most of the way at around 40 mph, but when I got close to home I got back out on the highway to check it out and it still refused to do that last shift. This is at the end of a 40 mile drive, plenty of time for everything to get as warmed up as it's going to get.

Just wondering if there's a protection mechanism in the computer preventing the shift at these temps? Or perhaps the super cold air had the tranny cooler working just a little "too well"?

Not terribly concerned, but thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone had any thoughts.

 

No worries, my Ram does it most of the winter here in Montana.

 

Cool. Thanks.

My gut feeling was that it would go back to normal as soon as things warm up a bit, but I've had to do so many repairs on the thing this winter that I'm getting a bit paranoid. Like I said, I wasn't terribly concerned, but it's nice to have confirmation that it's not a big issue.

Thanks

 

Yup worried the first time both the rams did it. Sucks because its a 75mph hwy out here and running 75 in 3rd gear suckssss

 

Yes it is computer controlled to not engage in harsh weather or under extreme engine power use. This is normal as long as once it gets warmer it starts to engage again.

 

Awesome. I was pretty sure it was just the extreme cold and nothing to worry about, but I can't afford any more major repairs at the moment, so thought I'd double check my assumption. Wouldn't want to keep on driving and unknowingly doing more damage.

Definitely glad to know that it is expected behavior.

Thanks guys.

 

+1

This is normal in those temps of under about 32F until it fully warms up. The colder the worst it is. It is a protection thing.

 

Btw i found an easy way to disable it!! Move south! I am starting to get tired of the snow and cold already(gotta love 9month winters up here)

 

Dude, I'm right there with ya on that... Problem is I have to convince my wife, and getting her to leave here would require convincing her entire family to move along with us (roughly 5 thousand people... lol... big family...).

In other words, I'm stuck here....

 

Oh, yeah, I can also confirm that it wasn't a problem. We had a big heat wave come through and warmed all the way up to 1 above. Tranny shifted normally all day....