Transmission bump, not during shifting

Tiny
BENLEE1199
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE RAM
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
When driving down the road and holding a consistent speed, lets say between 50-65 MPH for example, I will feel a single "bump" from the transmission. It is usually once every few minutes, so on a 15 minute drive I might feel it 10 or 15 times. This is not when shifting between gears. It is not very rough at all, and not audible, just a quick "clunk" feeling. It is only a split second and the truck never slows or revs or anything else like that, it just keeps going along at the same speed. If the road is bumpy or I'm distracted, I sometimes don't feel it at all, but my wife will, so I know it is doing it fairly consistently.

Even though the truck runs fine and shifts well, it still has me concerned because it could be a sign of a transmission issue. The fluid is at the correct level (checked with warm/running engine, after driving, on a level surface). I swapped out the transmission shift solenoid pack a few months ago, due to a completely different (and much more severe) shifting issue, and it fixed that issue, so the fluid and filters are new. This little transmission bump has been happening for a week or two, so the last couple of months after changing the trans shift solenoid pack, it has not been acting this way.

Thanks so much for any input you can offer!
Thursday, July 8th, 2021 AT 5:49 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

Do you know if the transmission in your truck is the 42RLE with variable line pressure? In 2006, there were two variations of the 42RLE transmission. The newer model came with the VLP design.

The VLP solenoid is duty cycle controlled by the TCM to vent the unnecessary line pressure supplied by the oil pump back to the sump. The system also contains a line pressure sensor. The line pressure sensor is a direct input to the TCM.

I'm wondering if you are feeling it vent when pressure drops.

Let's start this way. I attached a pic below of the transmission I'm referring to. Locate the identification tag on your transmission (driver's side) and let me know if it matches what I attached.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, July 8th, 2021 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
BENLEE1199
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Here is the top number on the trans label: TITTJ308511161
The 3 digit number next to the 2nd bar code on the far right is: 452
The bottom number is: P52119452AD RFE

Thank you!
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Tuesday, July 13th, 2021 AT 5:41 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

This doesn't appear to have the variable line pressure sensor. We have two ways to go at this point. First, you can have the CAN bus system scanned to see if there are any codes related to the transmission. CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, all computers/modules are tied together via a few wires.

Here is a video showing how it's done:

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

Or, we can check transmission line pressure to see if it is low. If you look at the attachments below, they provide the directions and specifications for testing the pressure. Take a look through them to see if you are comfortable doing this.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Tuesday, July 13th, 2021 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
BENLEE1199
  • MEMBER
  • 69 POSTS
Thanks so much for that information. I don't have the equipment for the line pressure test, so I may have to rely on the CAN test. I have a bluetooth OBD2 scanner that works with an app on my iphone, but it is fairly basic and does not do a scan test, so I have been trying to find an app that will work with my bluetooth scanner to do a CAN test, but no luck so far.

If you know of an app that works with a bluetooth OBD2 scanner and an iphone, that would be great! I'm happy to pay for an app also, but I would prefer to not have to buy a new scanner.

Thanks!
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Friday, July 16th, 2021 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

I'm not sure which system you have. I purchased one a couple of years ago to have with me all the time. It can read all codes. I just ran out to get it so I can tell you the brand. Fortunately, I haven't needed it, so I can't tell you how accurate and functional it is. However, I do know it does scan the entire system. It's called a Blue Driver.

The bad thing is this. What I paid for this is more than you can purchase a scanner with all capabilities on Amazon for half the price. It's just a thought.

Let me know what you are able to find out or if there is anything I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, July 16th, 2021 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
BENLEE1199
  • MEMBER
  • 69 POSTS
I see that the Blue Driver is about $120.00 on Amazon. What scanner would you recommend that can scan all systems, including transmission codes?

If I'm going to invest in a new scanner, I may want to spend a little more and get something that can send commands on the ECU (bi-directional) and possibly even do certain coding, programming or system resets. Is there a scanner in the $100.00 to $200.00 range that you can recommend that has these capabilities?
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Monday, July 19th, 2021 AT 5:46 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

I just did a search for a scanner able to read CAN. This one is offered by Amazon. If it is able to scan the CAN, it should be able to communicate with any of the modules on the vehicle. However, please confirm that. The price is right as well.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, July 19th, 2021 AT 7:57 PM

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