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Cold Shift Issue

18K views 37 replies 16 participants last post by  Maurito  
#1 ·
Wondering if anyone is having this same problem?

2016 D/D RT RWD. Every morning, after starting up and even after letting it warm up, I put it in drive and the Trans kinda skips or jerks into 1st gear as I pull off. Drives perfectly fine after that, but it just happens every morning.

Not sure what it is...


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#2 ·
My 15 does the same thing when cold. I now have over 10k miles and it's still doing it. It's just like you said, cold start in the morning. I never full throttle my cars when cold so it's not that. If I take off at half throttle I'll feel it but now I accelerate like a grandma in the mornings for a few minutes and after that she shifts perfect. I took it as it's a zf 8 speed transmission thing. If this isn't normal please chime in, I don't want to damage my truck. Best vehicle I've owned hands down
 
#4 ·
Have the same problem, The dealer did change the 1-2 solenoid valve at 28k miles and it really did not change things. After the last reseting of the adaptive shift control I ran the piss out of it for a tank out fuel and it did change the shift points making the trans smoother in some places. At the end of the day the 1-2 shift up and down is a problem for the 8 speed, Not sure why on the v8 it doesn't start in 2nd to begin with.
 
#9 ·
I have a '16 R/T with the Hemi. Mine has been doing the same thing for the past few months. I got the Durango last August, and it didn't do this for the first 4-5 months. I've had it to the dealer twice and both times they say there's nothing wrong with it and they can't do anything if it's not throwing any codes. (What a bunch of BS!)

This couldn't have been more perfect timing, but I received a Survey from Dodge last week and I of course mentioned this particular issue and requested a callback. I spoke with someone from Dodge and they setup an appointment with a different dealer in my area. I have an appointment tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes. I've been "assigned" a Case Manager who is going to monitor this and see to it that this problem is solved to my satisfaction. I will post back once I find out anything.
 
#11 ·
My 13 does it with the 6speed trans.
 
#20 ·
I would be shocked, surprised and bewildered if it's not present. It is subtle enough to easily and unknowingly ignore with your subconscious. But, on the chance that you indeed don't have the issue, it would be great to know what version is running on your TCM. Again, this isn't limited to the Durango, it's an issue with other FCA vehicles with the 8HP70.

This is dangerous and could cause a collision
There are greater odds of being struck by lightning, bitten by a shark, and winning the Megamillions at the same time.

The question still remains, is this the problem that OP blacktopman is dealing with or are we losing focus on the problem initiating this thread?
 
#23 ·
I have no bump downshifting to first..or any gear. 2wd Hemi Citadel.
I paid close attention while cold, warm and towing my boat.
I did note my truck will not downshift into first until below 5 mph or almost to a stop or complete stop.
Only way I could tell was to watch the dash gear indicator.

So note this bump some of you are talking about is not present in my D.
 
#24 ·
OK, I've been following this thread since it started because my SXT does the 'bump' too. Not only on downshift when cold, but at all temps, and from 2~1. It's most noticeable when coasting-up to a traffic light at low speeds.

I tend to theorize that this is normal behavior for "eco mode". You know -- using the engine''s compression to slow the DD down sorta like a "Jake Brake" on a dump truck. Beats me, but it is kind of an odd sensation.
I haven't run it in "Thrash mode" long enough to see if it learns a different shift routine, but maybe I'll try that after reading some of the replies above.
 
#25 ·
UPDATE - I had an appointment at 7:30 yesterday morning. I ended up getting the same Service Adviser as I had the week prior, which I was hoping wasn't the case. So I explained to him once again what the issues were. He asked what time I needed it back and I said 3:00pm and he wrote down 2:00pm on the work order. He said he'd call later in the morning with an update. The day goes on, and at 3:21, I still had not received a call. A bit irritated, I proceed to call and the girl who answered the phone said it was done. I asked why no one ever called me when I was promised someone would, and she said the Adviser must've forgot. That really irritated me even more. I left work at 5 and on my way there, my Case Manager from Dodge called. I explained to him about the very poor customer service I've been receiving from this dealer. (I myself am in the customer service business, so I take these things very seriously) He was very apologetic and without my asking, offered me 3 years of oil changes and tire rotations for free to use at any Dodge dealership I choose. (thank god because it won't be this one!) He then explained to me what the dealer found with my Rango, and not to my surprise, they found nothing wrong. They said it's operating as it should. :mad: I explained the issues again to my Case Manager and asked what the next steps would be? He said they would order a "Black Box" and install in the Rango. I would drive it for a week or so and then return it to the dealer so they can further analyze the data with a Dodge Engineer.

So the saga continues. Now I wait to hear from them as to when they will install this "Black Box."
 
#26 ·
I thought most modern vehicles already have a blackbox. Im curious why they would have to put one in.
 
#31 ·
Do a reset of the canbus system. Disconnect the negative battery cable and then press the brake for 30 seconds to drain the bus system. Reconnect the battery and drive it to allow the transmission to relearn itself.
 
#33 ·
Well, a harder 1-2 shift and maybe a 2-1 shift is fairly normal when the transmission is cold. Is that what you have?
 
#34 ·
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m experiencing. The hard shift only happens from 1st to 2nd gear, and only when the engine is cold. What’s strange is that the shifts from 2nd to 3rd and beyond feel totally normal, even when it’s still cold. It’s just that 1st to 2nd. After driving for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, the shifting becomes smooth like nothing was ever wrong.
 
#35 ·
That's normal enough to not worry about it. How many miles on the car? If under or near 100K then it's the time for a trans fluid and filter change.
 
#37 ·
With the fluid already done it's just drive time now.