On my 2009 1500 with 5.7 using Electronic shift control and turning off high gear and MDS. Set cruise. Break cruise with brake pedal, Then reengage cruise truck shuddered badly. Same condition, high gear blocked, MDS off and cruise set say at 60 mph. Going down a incline, auto braking applies. Then entering flat and level or a incline cruise accelerates truck shudders. Also does this in TOW//HAUL and u-sing cruise control. Had the latest FLASH yesterday. Lessened the affect of the shudder but did not eliminate it.

 

What latest flash? I have had my '09 since new, and never had a flash. Runs great. No shudder...ever.

 

I had a shudder in my ford once I hit about 65mph, turned out that one of the coil packs was bad. Are you throwing any codes?

 

No. Is in the transmission. Its not a misfire. The latest flash addresses such and a slew of other things. They hook vehicle up and the computer tells them if applicable. This must be a common issue over several model years. I did a SEARCH on two forumns and found numerous complaints of SHUDDER. One RRT/TSB and several FLASH updates describe the very thing mine is doing. Its got I think a second gear,second gear prime clutch pack issue and maybe a retainer? Valve body issue? The FLASH lessened the severity of the shudder but did not fix it. Tech at he little dealer near me says he's going to talk to RAM tech assist and we'll go from there. It won't do it if cruise not used of if left to shift into high gear.

 

I believe this is the latest TSB that was released for shifting issues.

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).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
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.
Reprogramming the PCM will correct the DTC conditions listed above.

 

If the dealer contacts a Chrysler tech hopefully they will get to the bottom of the issue.

 

The shudder described in the update is what I'm experiencing. Actually I had THAT flash a few months back. The FLASH that was done the other day was to correct a issue with the PREVIOUS flash not being effective. A FLASH to fix why another previous flash was not working! WOW. Does it in Tow/haul also. The FLASH update the other day did lessen the shudder but did not correct it. I'll check with dealer tomorrow and see if the tech has contacted "STAR" about it. He has a ticket on it. Thank You Chris with Dodge Cares.

 

Great! So I had mine in for a stalling issue and they re-flashed everything - now truck shifts at higher RPM - used to be around 1750 now 2000 - 2100 RPM - they claimed the new flash was better for the truck??? But now the mielage has gone way down and they seem to be okay with it!! I am not so happy!! It's a good 2 -3 mpg in the city - I haven't taken it outa town so I can't comment on Highway yet!

 

I noticed firmer shifts but nothing else. I see no change in where it shifts. Fuel mileage is still good. Now on COLD days below 45 it sucks. But its like that in all my vehicles. Mine shifts good,runs good but it has a transmission shudder in the right conditions. . I'm fixing to pull my 5th wheel and head south.(its under 6000lbs) I want it fixed before I do.

 

Well Dodge Cares. The flash my truck had a week ago was to FIX previous flashes that didn't take correctly. On top of that the Tech submitted the issue to STAR to open a case on and see what they suggested.(last week) As of today,Friday at 2PM he has gotten NO reply from them. He said he goes through this a fair amount. What he wanted to try and he did do today he cleared the PCM totally. Reloaded with new software/flashes and did a 'relearn' on it. I'm driving to see if any changes or fixed. One other thing. This 2nd gear and 2nd gear prime is ridiculous.
Its hardy any change in the gear ratio and the 2nd gear prime drum assembly and clutches is very small and not many discs in it. He had one apart and showed me. I'd like to know WHY they did that in the design. Bad weak link. He said he will resubmit his request to open a STAR case again. We would like to hear from the engineers. Customer service goes deeper then dealer level.