Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => General Talk => Topic started by: LLYJ on October 11, 2012, 06:21:41 PM
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Hoping one of the techs on here can please help me out - quick easy question but if you have any ideas or advice on my bigger issue it would be appreciated
I am changing my tranny filters to try and solve a bigger issue and am wondering if its OK to use the reusable rubber gasket provided in the filter kit or do I have to follow the service manual which specifies using black RTV - conditions outside are not ideal for RTV and am wondering why RTV - tranny is a 545RFE in a 05 2500HD with 4x4 - thanks
My bigger issue - Tranny is dropping into limp mode and throwing out codes (P0700 & P0876) - 1st occurred a couple weeks ago on a cold day taking off with out enough warm up - I assumed oil was thick which is an easy explanation for a pressure differential (P0876) code coming up - everything cleared and seemed to be normal for a couple weeks but yesterday problem with same two codes happened again 3 times - 1st two were in Canmore and 3rd was about halfway home (and I was babying the throttle but went limp mode at 90kmph on flat terrain - bumped roughly as it fell out of OD, but made it home ok in 3rd (as best as I can tell). when I moved it this morning I noticed it operated properly but still had eng light on of course.
Really bad timing... a buddy had his house burn to the ground two weeks ago leaving him, his wife and 9 month old homeless - I am supposed to be hauling donations (furniture, clothing toys tools etc etc) from Lake Louise, Field and Golden to his temp rental 3 hours south of Revy this weekend - I hate the idea of bailing on him but I also can,t afford a tow from that far away - or to pay for the work at a dealership if it dies way out there so if I can get this figured out that would be awesome !
I have done some research on the Dodge forums and a few simple tests out of the service manual and this is what I know
- Oil is absolutely exactly at the recommended level (thru temp ranges)
- Oil is very clean - no burn smell - no black particles - no bubbles or foaming
- I bought the truck at 64k from Canmore Chrysler - they reported it was fully serviced for sale so I am assuming it has ATF+4 as spec'd - now at 94k
- Due for Tranny oil and filters at 96k so doing it now...anyway
- Based on how its performing (shifting up and down etc) I do not suspect a mechanical problem
- Based on what I have read in the service manual and various dodge forums it seems likely the problem is hydraulic and less likely electrical
Starting with the easiest possible solution I am suspecting the check valve in the filter for the cooler return line - this seems a very common problem in alot of vehicles with this tranny (or variations) and produces the code combo I am showing. Canadian tire was the only place open last night so I picked up the return filter and tranny pick up filter kit (both Pro-King) and enough ATF+4 (mobil) to do the job - if it proves to be the solution I'll buy the chrysler filters, do a proper flush and adjust the bands next week. (I read the aftermarket filters seem to be prone to this valve failure) - if that doesnt work I'll borrow gauges at work and do all the pressure checks - then look at electrical if hydraulics look good. if anyone has some experience or adviuce to offer I would appreciated it - thanks - If I am barking up the wrong tree please let me know !
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Could be just a sensor but that code is telling you it has another code in memory that it cannot reveal unless you have a proper scan tool. Can frig around all you want or just get it scanned properly.
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Gas or diesel?
There are some solenoids in the valve body that can cause some weird things to happen and are a common failure. If you are around Cochrane I could scan it for you.
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It has a gas 5.7L - I'll go into work tomorrow and borrow our snap on diagnostic scanner - It should have the software to read those codes and if that doesn't work I may take you up on your offer Clay. Thanks for your help !
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Best of luck. One of the times I had that issue in my 05 it was solenoids. Another time is was the pressure regulator. Another time was the valve body.
As far as I can tell, that transmission is a pile of crap. Thats why there is a tech set aside for them in most big dodge shops.
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i beleive that tranny came in WJs for a few years as well, or a variation of it.
i had it throw the P0700 code and it would go into limp mode. it was the speed sensors on mine. changed them in the driveway. took 20 mins, 120$ in parts. never had the issue again.
but i have no clue if its the same as the trucks. that P0700 code is really generic; could be many things. i guessed and got lucky.
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So wouldn't you know it - I go out to start the truck yesterday and engine light is off, its out of limp mode and worked perfectly fine no matter what I tried to get it to trip out again -man I hate automatics !
I imagine the hidden codes are still in memory so I decided to wait till I go back to work to try and retrieve them.
Thanks for all the suggestions - replacing the sensors, regulator and solenoids still a whole lot cheaper than a whole replacement
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Another clue
The other night while it was still in limp mode and showing codes when I shut the truck off, the transmission made a hissing sound that petered off after about 30 seconds - it was loud enough to hear in the cab with doors closed
I noticed that now everything is normal it doesn't make that noise
leads me to think solonoid or one of the valves