I have an 08 Ram 1500 QC with the Hemi. During easy driving, upun shifting into 2nd gear, the truck immediately goes into what seems like a sputter. It only does it in regular drive mode. If I slightly accelerate or turn on the tow/haul mode or turn off the overdrive, it immediately snaps out of it. I took it back to the dealer and they told me that this was a common complaint and there was nothing that they could do. I called Dodge, and they told me to take it to a different dealer to get a second opinion. So I did, and they called it a shuddering, and replaced the torque converter and PCV valve. This did nothing to correct the issue. I'm wondering if the truck is simply going into MDC mode. Neither dealer suggested this as a possible explanation, but i'd be curious to find out if anyone else has had a similar issue, or can maybe explain what this is.

 

The truck shouldn't be going into MDS when you are accelerating, but it might be trying to do just that. I would take it back to the second dealer again if you were happy with their attempted fix the first time (remember, it might take a couple tries for them, but as long as they are willing, work with them). I'd stay away from the first dealer. It sounds like they didn't want to help you.

 

i have the same exact problem and they said it is normal. But it sure as heck doesnt sound normal. BTW i have an 08 hemi also

 

It's difficult to explain, but it doesn't necessarily do it during acceleration unless it's an easy acceleration like from a stop sign in a residential area, say 20-25 mph. Otherwise it does it as the speed levels off. It's kind of like if you have a manual transmission and you are in 4th gear and you you are going slow enough that you should still be in 3rd. That's the way the first dealer described it to me anyway. I'll probably take it back to the shop and see if they can do anything else for it. I just thought that if it's a common complaint like they said, then surely someone out there could give me an explanation as to the cause.

 

My 08 does the same thing. I'm pretty sure its the MDS. It is similar to having a spark problem in numerous cylanders. Check to see if it still happens if you take the OD off or put it in Tow Haul mode.

 

It is the MDS, it is normal. Mine does it all of the time under light acceleration.

 

Well, at least I know I'm not the only one with this issue. No, WMICHELLE227, it doesn't do it with the O/D turned off or the tow/haul mode turned on, which is why I've been turning the O/D off unless I'm out on the highway. I wonder if the '09 has the same issue? It would be nice if they could re-program it so that the MDS didn't kick on until at least 40-45 mph. Maybe then it might not be so noticeable, or might not be so annoying.

 

If yours doesn't "shudder" with the OD off, then I would deffinately say its the MDS. I totally agree that there should be a flash to delay the MDS though. I wonder if any of the aftermarket programmers are able to do that????

 

Cup,

Try this, I reset my trucks PCM today and the "shuddering" was a lot less noticable.

 

Could it be the Electronic Tranny, I have the 4.7 and it seems to drive smoother at lower speeds with the O/D off. I wonder if in trying to gain mileage the OD is geared to kick in too soon.