STAR Case
Contact the STAR Center for assistance if no solution is found

Release Date: 08/17/2011
Symptom/Vehicle Issue:
Light throttle reverse shudder
Discussion:
Certain drivetrain combinations may experience a condition where at low vehicle speeds, the transmission fluid flowing from the impeller to the stator can be momentarily interrupted. This interruption cause’s torque to be briefly interrupted causing the perceived shudder. Once the vehicle moves above 2-3 mph, the shudder gradually disappears as the torque interruptions become less noticeable. Unfortunately there is no repair for this issue and is a common characteristic of most torque converters under high slip/low speed conditions but is most noticeable on these specific applications due to the low reverse gear ratio. If you compare to another similar vehicle, you'll most likely have the same condition.

 

Atomic,

I know you mentioned it was a bad habit, but please note, as per the Owner's Manual, page 347 of the First Edition, there is a Caution stating that damage to the transmission may occur if the following precautions are not observed:
-Shift into Park only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
-Shift into or out of Reverse only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle speed.
-Do not shift between Park, Reverse, Neutral, or Drive when the engine is above idle speed.
-Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.

 

I agree dodgecares. Like I said, I developed a bad habit with my Chevy. I am making an effort to be sure I am totally stopped. The condition does not exist when I do it right. Every manufacturer would say that in their manual, but with this Dodge it looks like they really mean it!

 

What year truck or am I missing it?? I don't buy the gas slosh thing. Sounds like bump stop. When slowing and coming to a stop it is a delay into the 1st gear downshift. Feels like your truck got faintly tapped in the rear. Need to see if your truck has the LATEST flash update. Just had a update done on mine last week. It9 addressed trans shift torque converter lockup, shudder on downshift, idle quality and such. It had a long list of changes involving trans performance. Bump st9o has been minor issue since 2009 with a few updates addressing it ad other trans things. Get it hooked up to a DRB and see what updates are available. The update mine got was just released. month or so back. Friend has a 2012 Express. It shudders on downshift.

 

I think this is the flash you are talking about.

NUMBER: 18-011-12
GROUP: Vehicle Performance
DATE: March 15, 2012

SUBJECT:
Flash: MIL Illumination With Transmission And Driveability Improvements
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves flash reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new
software.
MODELS:
2009 (HB) Durango
2009 (HG) Aspen
2010 (DJ) Ram 2500 Pickup
2009 - 2010 (DS) Ram 1500 Pickup
2009 - 2010 (DH) Ram 2500 Pickup
2009 - 2010 (DC) Ram 3500 Cab Chassis
2009 - 2010 (ND) Dakota
NOTE: This Service Bulletin applies to HB/HG/DJ/DS/DH/DC/ND vehicles equipped
with a 3.7L, 4.7L or 5.7L engine (Sales Code EKG, EVE, EZC, EZD or EZH) and
a 4 speed 42RLE or 5 speed 545RFE or 6 speed 68RFE automatic
transmission (Sales Code DGV, DGQ or DG7).

The customer may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon
further investigation the Technician may find that any of the following Diagnostic Trouble
Codes (DTC's) have been set.
i. P050D - Cold Start Rough Idle
ii. P2181 - Cooling System Performance has been set
iii. P0935 - Line Pressure Sensor Circuit High All RFE transmissions
iv. P0300 through P0308 - Multiple and Single Cylinder Misfire. This condition can
occur when the vehicle is started cold and the driver immediately places vehicle in
drive and applies heavy throttle.
Driveability and Transmission improvements are also included with this software
release. These changes consist of the following:
a. Enhanced clutch protection for more robust torque management during repeated
fore and aft movement (rocking vehicle) all engines.
b. A revised torque convertor lockup schedule that will reduce transmission
temperatures in Tow/Cruise mode All models equipped with RFE transmission.
c. A Clunk sound or feel a shudder when the cruise control resume switch is pressed.
This condition is most noticeable after the brakes were pressed to cancel cruise
control and then the resume switch is pressed All models equipped with RFE
transmission.
d. A shudder or shaking feeling when a wide open throttle (WOT) event is performed
by the customer. This is most noticeable after the transmission downshifts during the
WOT event. This condition will stop once the transmission upshifts All models
equipped with RFE transmission.
e. A shudder or shaking feeling when accelerating from a stop under moderate throttle.
This condition will stop once the transmission upshifts All models equipped with
RFE transmission.
f. A shudder or shaking feeling after the transmission downshifts. This condition will
stop once the RPM's drops All models equipped with RFE transmission.
g. Harsh or noisy natural to reverse shiftsAll models equipped with RFE
transmission.
h. Harsh 4-3 downshifts. This condition happens when there is no throttle applied and
the vehicle is coasting down.All models equipped with RFE transmission.
i. Harsh 1-2 upshifts. This condition happens under moderate or heavy throttle
conditions All models equipped with RFE transmission.
j. Engine knock condition. This condition could happen when a wide open throttle
(WOT) event is performed or cruising at 5400 RPM or above All models equipped
with RFE transmission.
k. Hard start or long crank condition at 0° F (-17° C).all 5.7L DS and DJ models
equipped with RFE transmission.

 

The fuel situation is a well known issue. It has happened to a lot of people and it happens consistently to my truck. I can't say with certainty that it IS fuel sloshing around, but I can tell you when it happens the fuel gauge is always within a couple needles of 3/4 full.

I've had the bump stop (or driveline binding) situation before on a Grand Cherokee with the same basic driveline (Hemi and 545 trans) and this thud on the RAM is nothing like that. When that bump stop issue happened it was like the vehicle got hit from behind and it literally lurched forward a few inches. This situation on the RAM is more gentle.

I'm also not saying the OP's issue is for sure the fuel situation... just that he should watch next time it happens and see if it is around 3/4 tank. If that's the only time it happens then that's what it is.

Rob

 

Thats the one that was done to my truck. Anything for 2012 for shudder and trans performance?

 

Nothing has been released on the 2012's as of yet. If anything comes out I will post it here.