My dad had this problem with his 2002 Ram and it was like that until he bought his 2009. Neither one of us has the problem with the 2009. For the 2002, he had it checked out and I don't remember what they said but they didn't do anything with it and he drove the truck like that for 6 years and never once had a problem other than the noise. However, definitely doesn't hurt to go to the dealer and atleast find out what the source of the noise is.

 

How much did it cost for the PCM update? I have a 2007 Ram that just started doing it yesterday.

 

Did the PCM update apply to a 2007 1500 with a 4.7l?

 

My 2007 Ram did this exact thing, and the first time I mentioned it the dealer flashed an update onto the PCM and it never happened again. The truck would also occasionally not go into gear when I put it in reverse, it fixed that too.

 

Isnt todays technology great...?!!!!!!! lol lol lol

 

Do you know if the update also fixed the fast idle problem? Mine idles up to 1200rpm when it starts and slowly starts to idle down to about 700rpm (during the course of about 2 minutes). Does it really need to idle that fast? This happens even when the engine and transmission are hot.

 

Ive taken my truck into the dealership a few times... recorded the noise.... since they couldnt duplicate it... they kept my truck for a week.. said they pulled a master tech from another dealer... got dodge corp involved about it, they said not to do anything... gave me reference number..... guess what..... they never got a tech from another dealership.. the reference number for dodge corp doesnt exits ( i called ) nor did they do all these tests... they said if anything happens to it.. it will be covered by the warranty.... which im not within the 3 year / 36,000 anymore... but i have lifetime powertrain.. so until my truck tears up... they arent going to do anything about it.....

 

How do you tell if your truck has the powertrain warranty? I'm pretty sure mine came with the 3/36000 warranty, but I bought it used and the guy didn't know what warranty it came with. I talked to one dealer and he said that he had a 2007 that made the same noise and that there was an actual part that needed to be replaced on the transmission - likely story. I'm taking it in to be diagnosed on Friday, but I will be overseeing the entire operation. I will post back after my trip. There is nothing that i dread more than working with a dealer service department.

 

Dealer said the noise is typical for the type of vehicle it is. He did manage to fix my harsh downshift problem with a flash update to one of the modules. He also said the extremely fast idle after startup was normal as well. The mechanic in me hears the ratcheting noise and says, "That noise may not cause me problems in the near future, but some day that gear or solenoid is going to wear out". I just can't see how that noise is not a problem. My workaround for the noise is to start the truck up, put it in neutral to get the transmission fluid circulating, stick it in drive to calm the idle down, then shift back to reverse. That way I don't get the noise. I guess I will just keep doing this for now.

 

On my 09 I hear the solinoid when going into reverse. It is about 1-2 seconds [ kinda like the fliud moving] ? Is that the sound ?