Just got back from a 5,500 mile trip out west in a new to me 2008 Dodge 2500 170" with 103,000 miles and it appears the transmission is acting up.
Sprinter was loaded down with approximately 1500 lbs of dirt bikes and gear. About 1500 miles in the transmission started to have a 1-3 second vibration/shudder that felt like rolling over ripples in the road, faint but noticeable. It happened mostly in higher gears just after up shifting.
I had a Dodge dealer replace filter and fluid. Not sure of the fluid type used other than they mentioned it was the Mercedes stuff and expensive. I put a call to dealer to find out exactly what was used, waiting for returned call.
For the first 350 miles it appeared to be fixed then it slowly came back and progressively got worse as the load was increased. I picked up a 6x12 trailer, another approximately 2500 lbs. and the shudder/vibration became more pronounced and happened more frequently.
It appears the shudder/vibration happens after an upshift or while cruising and only when on the throttle. When it happens the RPM climb ~150-200. If I lift off the throttle when it begins to shudder/vibrate, it goes away immediately.
With the trailer attached it is very pronounced, without it is faint and less frequent.
I'm not familiar with the mechanics of this transmission but it feels like the torque converter or some clutches are briefly unlocking and locking.
I have searched and read countless threads here and seems others have experienced similar but different scenarios. Since nothing reads the same as to what is going on and I'm not sure exactly either I'm not sure what direction to go on with a fix.
Also checked for codes with the Green Diesel Engineering scan tool, nothing.
Change the fluid again?
Valve body cleaning?
Suggestions before taking to dealer?
Sprinter was loaded down with approximately 1500 lbs of dirt bikes and gear. About 1500 miles in the transmission started to have a 1-3 second vibration/shudder that felt like rolling over ripples in the road, faint but noticeable. It happened mostly in higher gears just after up shifting.
I had a Dodge dealer replace filter and fluid. Not sure of the fluid type used other than they mentioned it was the Mercedes stuff and expensive. I put a call to dealer to find out exactly what was used, waiting for returned call.
For the first 350 miles it appeared to be fixed then it slowly came back and progressively got worse as the load was increased. I picked up a 6x12 trailer, another approximately 2500 lbs. and the shudder/vibration became more pronounced and happened more frequently.
It appears the shudder/vibration happens after an upshift or while cruising and only when on the throttle. When it happens the RPM climb ~150-200. If I lift off the throttle when it begins to shudder/vibrate, it goes away immediately.
With the trailer attached it is very pronounced, without it is faint and less frequent.
I'm not familiar with the mechanics of this transmission but it feels like the torque converter or some clutches are briefly unlocking and locking.
I have searched and read countless threads here and seems others have experienced similar but different scenarios. Since nothing reads the same as to what is going on and I'm not sure exactly either I'm not sure what direction to go on with a fix.
Also checked for codes with the Green Diesel Engineering scan tool, nothing.
Change the fluid again?
Valve body cleaning?
Suggestions before taking to dealer?
Last edited: