Thanks Robk1971. Before I figured out how program the current gear onto my cluster readout, I was always putting it into the manual shift mode (set to 8) to track the trans ...didn't make a difference.

I do have a bit of an update. (still haven't gotten to any dealer to test drive/compare or checked the fluid condition) The transmission is acting pretty consistent. ...consistently dropping power to shift, then applying power again. It has almost gotten me into a couple of accidents. ...pulling out into fast moving traffic and giving it firm throttle and the dam thing slows down to shift. WTF! Also when changing lanes at high speeds in tight traffic conditions. I almost got rear-ended on the slow-down to shift, then almost rear-ended the car in front when I had to STOMP on the frickin thing. All of these occurred with kids in the truck with me. Now I don't trust the thing when I NEED to accelerate.

A friend suggested that it may have a "sport mode" as that accentuates shifts. While the truck has the "Sport" model/option, I can't find any setting to change the driving/shifting option.

I still intend on giving a dealership one more chance and fixing this. That would mean agreeing that it drives/shifts like ****, and not just looking at their diagnostic tool while riding with me and saying "everything looks normal". If they can't correct this, it is getting sold.

Oh yeah, I haven't mentioned the fact that I am getting 12mpg's with suburban style driving. That's what I got with my '05 with a 4.10 with ALL city driving in Chicago city limits. ...and yes, I realize what accounts for gas mileage. I would expect 14+ in my driving conditions.

I plan on having a final decision by 12/1. If it's sold, it's either a GM (last of the V8's) or new panels on my '05. Right now, this is still my go to truck. ...reliable and always confident when I step on the gas. 180k and still going! That's pretty sad with a new truck sitting next to it.

 

So I finally made some progress... After the last flash/service the truck seems to have settled into a more "consistent" shifting pattern. It just plain old shifts like it thinks that it's a "lazy" manual transmission. ie revving up, backing off of the power, shifting, then applying power. It is STILL very noticeable, and somewhat dangerous when merging and pulling out into traffic. So I got the truck into another dealership. I drove my truck and a new one with the service rep. ...not a tech. I did realize (and the rep agreed) that both trucks shifted similarly. So they serviced mine and they applied yet another new flash/update. Since getting the truck back and driving it, it remains reasonably consistent as before this last flash.

As for stop and go, neighborhood driving... I haven't taken the kids back to school yet. I'm figuring that there may be a marginal improvement. ...although that is where I feel the torque converter remaining locked up more. Also, the gas mileage is still less than I would expect. I have had a tank with 15.3 mpg. ...but that had about 1/2 highway driving on it. So it's still not great.

So where I'm at now-- I realize that they have this trans programmed to shift like a "lazy" manual to save on wear-and-tear. It just shifts too slowly. ...and (at least me) I find myself driving with my foot deeper into it to get it to shift faster/smoother. Especially pulling out into traffic and merging. So like I said, it appears to shift like the trucks on the lot. I am still not "happy" with my purchase. I think that this thing feels less powerful and slower with their shifting algorithm, and that affects gas mileage also.

In short-I am not truly "happy with the purchase/truck". But I am reluctantly keeping the truck (for now). I am putting low miles on it in case I do see that the resale value spikes and if I feel a desire to sell it. I still have the old workhouse to go back to at a moments notice!!!

 

Might consider getting a tuner for it...... That would likely solve the lazy shifting, and perceived lack of power.....

 

I haven't looked too extensively. ...but as far as I could tell, the only options for the newer years are a reprogrammed ECU for $1000+ or the Pedal Commander types. I may look at those further in time. I had to get the Weather Techs in before the winter snow came to Chicago. I am still not ready to pull the trigger on a Line-X or a set of air bags for the back tho.

 

I am not a fan of the pedal commander. The ONLY thing it does, is modify the signal from the pedal position sensor, to make the PCM think you are stepping on the pedal, harder than you really are. You could accomplish the EXACT same thing by..... stepping on the pedal harder.....

 

Just an update on where I'm at or my impressions... I had gotten to the dealer (I thought that I updated the post with that) and the new models shift the same. The shifting of my truck has seemed to become regular. ...but don't read that as it being good. It is still barely tolerable. The way that this thing shifts... The truck feels like it has about 2/3'rds of the power that it should. I still have a problem pulling out into traffic. It either lacks power to accelerate, or if I give it more pedal, the rear tire breaks loose. ...even on dry pavement. The Bridgestone tires suck and it doesn't have a traction lock. I'm going to have to look into buying a replacement rear end.

I have paid this thing off. I have thought about unloading it, but I am hearing that the Ford and GM trans are even worse.

Here's an example of the world that we live in. When the manufactures just say "that's how it's supposed to work".

 

Just an update... I'm still driving this turd. I stopped by a different dealer and spoke to a tech. He was kinda zeroing in on the valve body. So I brought it in and since there are no codes, he couldn't get enough info to have Chrysler approve a replacement. So he re-booted everything and DIDN'T apply their "quick learn". He said that he wanted it to learn "my driving". Well, the drive home the trans shifted more quickly then it ever has. ...albeit a little hard. But as this thing is "learning" it has gotten bad quickly. So he said to take it on drives long enough that the trans gets warm. (apparently I can't expect this thing to shift well when it is cold??? WTF) He said to drive it for 1500 and see how it goes. This weekend was warm and this thing shifted like ****. So I have had my fill.

Some may ask why I am enduring this. Well, I figure to lose out on $5k selling this and getting something else. ...as I am not familiar with other makes, I now need to research the options. At this point, it wouldn't be smart to buy another Ram. (since all of the techs are claiming that this sh!tty shifting is normal). ...and lastly, I need to make the last payment now and I'm figuring that it will take over a month to get the damn title in hand. I have to call to see how long that takes. I'll be doing that this week.

I see that CarMax has a 30 day return period. I figure that I will be utilizing that for whatever I purchase.

 

Strange, I posted an update but apparently it didn't save it.

So after another trip back to the dealer. They re-flashed the vehicle without the quick learn flash. They asked me to drive it on longer distances. So 2500 miles later, I now have 2500 miles more on the truck and it is still the same. ..poor/slow shifting.

A couple of things that I have been told by the techs:
--They have swapped out valve bodies and even transmissions. ...and that sometimes won't help the issue. (this tells me that they have seen this poor shifting befoe)
--I'm told that I need to take it on longer rides. I'm told that this has poor shifting characteristics when it is not warmed up. (this is 2022, not the early 1900's with a Model A, WTF)
--I've been told that it drives like a truck. (when I asked those techs if they had a truck or even these Rams, they all said "no". Hmmmm)
--I've been told a couple of times that the programming is all in favor gas mileage. So the thing shifts poorly/slowly so as to favor gas mileage. ...which btw I do not get good gas mileage. (I'm not an idiot) When you have a slow shifting vehicle, you are heavier on the gas. ...there goes the mileage.
--They told me that since I bought an extended warranty, I am covered if anything should happen. ...and maybe there will be a flash that will fix something. ...ie so just deal with the unenjoyable ride.

So I PM'd "Dodge Cares" above. We'll see if they can/will help. I'm not holding out much hope, but who knows, if it gets fixed, I would still keep it. However at this point, I'm looking at replacement vehicles. ...not Rams. I've had three Dodges/Rams over 25 years. This could be the last.

Mark

 

I think you posted your update in the wrong thread. I seem to remember reading this elsewhere yesterday.

Where are you at?

 

Well, a PM to Dodge Cares has garnered no response. (and they have been active as recently as yesterday) I had thought briefly about test driving a 2500 6.4L. I thought that maybe the trans programming may be better in that model as there may not be a concentration on fuel efficiency., But I really don't see the need to risk another disappointment. So I have determined a replacement. Let's just say that the kids and I will sit down and watch "King Kong vs. Godzilla" tonight. I hope to make a transaction early next week!