NUMBER:
GROUP:
DATE:

21-012-14
Transmission and
Transfer Case
April 08, 2014

This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without written permission of Chrysler Group LLC.

SUBJECT:
Transmission Shift Enhancements - Adaptation Drive Learn Procedure
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves performing a subjective shift quality rating when customers
experience poor shift quality and if necessary, performing the transmission adaptation
learn procedure. In addition, this bulletin involves performing transmission adaptation learn
procedure when the transmission is repaired/replaced and/or the valve body/TCU
assembly (mechatronic) is replaced, or when the adaptation memory cells are cleared with
the wiTECH diagnostic scan tool.
MODELS:
2013 - 2014

DS

Ram 1500 Pickup

2012 -2014

LD

Charger

2012 -2014

LX

300C

2014

WD

Durango

2014

WK

Grand Cherokee

NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with the 845RE (Sales Codes DFL),
8HP45 (Sales Codes DFG), or the 8HP70 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
(Sales Codes DFD).
DISCUSSION:
The 845RE, 8HP45, or the 8HP70 8-Speed Automatic Transmission uses a sophisticated
shift algorithm that includes learned information so that the shift quality remains excellent
even as the transmission wears. This learned information is recorded in memory cells
referred to “Adaptation Memory Cells”. Each applied clutch records the amount of time it
takes to fill the clutch (Fast Filling Counter/Filling Time) and the amount of pressure (Filling
Counter/Filling Pressure). The adaptation memory cells are set to zero (0) on every new
transmission (new in vehicle and/or replaced for service) and when the transmission
control module is replaced for service. In addition, the adaptation memory cells are set to
zero (0) when the transmission control module adaptation memory cells are cleared using
the wiTECH diagnostic scan tool. Until the adaptation has been learned/relearned, the
transmission shift quality may not meet the customers expectations.

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NOTE: Anytime the transmission has been overhauled (unless the valve body/TCU
assembly (mechatronic) was replaced), the adaptation memory cells must be
cleared using the wiTECH.
The adaptation memory cells appear on the wiTECH for every clutch. Each clutch will
include:
•
•
•
•

Fast Filling Counter = the number of filling time events that has taken place
Filling Time = +/- number of ms (milli seconds) from zero (standard set value).
Filling Counter = the number of filling pressure events that has taken place
Filling Pressure = +/- mb (millibar)/PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) from zero
(standard set value)
If the adaptation memory cell “counter” is zero (0), than the adaptation memory cell has not
been updated. The, Filling counter ideally should be at least 12 (6 on 8HP70/90) and Fast
Filling counter at least 4 (2 on 8HP70/90) to improve shift quality and with each
subsequent count, shift quality will improve even more.
Typical wiTECH Display of Adaptation Memory Cells
Graph

Name

Value

Unit

Type

Clutch A- Filling
Pressure

0

PSI

Sensors

Clutch A- Filling
Counter

6

Counts

Sensors

Clutch A- Filling
Time

0

ms

Sensors

Clutch A- Fast
Filling Counter

2

Counts

Sensors

Clutch B - Filling 0
Pressure

PSI

Sensors

Clutch B - Filling 6
Counter

Counts

Sensors

Clutch B - Filling 0
Time

ms

Sensors

Clutch B - Fast
Filling Counter

Counts

Sensors

Clutch C- Filling 1
Pressure

PSI

Sensors

Clutch C- Filling 6
Counter

Counts

Sensors

Clutch C- Filling 18
Time

ms

Sensors

Clutch C- Fast
Filling Counter

Counts

Sensors

PSI

Sensors

2

2

Clutch D- Filling 1
Pressure

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21-012-14

Clutch D- Filling 6
Counter

Counts

Sensors

Clutch D- Filling -6
Time

ms

Sensors

Clutch D- Fast
Filling Counter

2

Counts

Sensors

Clutch E- Filling
Pressure

2

PSI

Sensors

Clutch E- Filling
Counter

6

Counts

Sensors

Clutch E- Filling
Time

2

ms

Sensors

Clutch E- Fast
Filling Counter

3

Counts

Sensors

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Customers may indicate that their transmission shift quality does not meet their
expectations.
DIAGNOSIS:
Perform “REPAIR PROCEDURE A” anytime the Transmission is replaced, Transmission
has been overhauled, valve body/TCU assembly (mechatronic) is replaced, and/or the
adaptation memory cells have been cleared with the wiTECH.
Perform the “EIGHT SPEED TRANSMISSION SHIFT QUALITY DIAGNOSIS” anytime a
customer indicates that their shift quality does not meet their expectations.
EIGHT SPEED TRANSMISSION SHIFT QUALITY DIAGNOSIS
To ensure that the process is repeatable, dealers should perform the following
recommendations:
•
•

Identify specific employees to perform the Subjective Shift Quality Analysis. These
employees become the Qualified Subjective Shift Quality Auditors.
Each Qualified Subjective Shift Quality Auditor should drive approximately five
8-speed vehicles to establish a baseline for the shift quality of each shift as received
at the dealerships.

NOTE: This evaluation and procedure MUST NOT be done while the vehicle is still in
Shipping Mode. Place the vehicle in Customer Mode prior to performing.
1. Using the wiTECH, check for active Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) in the
Transmission Control Module’s (TCM) memory.
2. Were there any active DTC’s in the TCM’s memory?
a. YES>>>Using the appropriate trouble shooting procedure, diagnose and repair
conditions that may have set the DTC(s).
b. NO>>>Proceed to the next step.
3. Start the vehicle and operate the engine until the transmission oil temperature is at
least 30°C (86°F). It may be necessary to apply the service brake and shift the
transmission into gear to improve warm-up time and/or drive the vehicle until the
transmission temperature reaches 30°C (86°F).

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NOTE: Some vehicles may be equipped with a message center in the cluster that
provides transmission temperature values. If the vehicle is not equipped with
this message center, than the wiTECH must be used to identify transmission
temperature.
Determining Shift Quality Subjective Measurement Chart
Condition Noted
Not
Severe
Tolerable
1

2

Very
Poor

Poor

3

4

Marginal Barely
Accept
5

6

Fair

Good

Very
Good

Perfect

7

8

9

10

4. The “Eight Speed Shift Quality Worksheet” will be used for documenting the Shift
Quality Subjective rating as well as the Adaptation Memory Cell data. Refer to
DealerCONNECT>Service>Diagnostic Check Sheets (Located on the Service Tab in
the “Repair Information” box)>Transmission. Print a copy of the worksheet and attach
a copy of the worksheet on the Repair Order once completed.
5. Determine shift quality using the “Determining Shift Quality Subjective Measurement
Chart”. Shift quality will be evaluated on a scale of 1 to 10. The shifts should include
1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8 upshifts along with 8-7, 7-6, 6-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2, and 2-1
down shifts with light braking and reverse engagement.
6. The transmission adaptations will improve as the vehicle is driven.
7. Drive the vehicle in a safe area where the transmission is allowed to shift from first
gear through each gear up to eighth gear. From a stop, slowly accelerate the vehicle
using a constant throttle/pedal to approximately 72 KPH to 80 KPH (45 MPH to 50
MPH). The transmission must shift from first gear up to eighth gear.
8. Record the Shift Quality Subjective Rating for each shift.
NOTE: The Shift Quality Subjective Rating should not be established by comparing
each shift event to other shift events in a single vehicle. Example: Do not
compare the 1-2 shift to the 3-4 to establish the subjective rating. The
Subjective Quality Rating for each shift should be established by comparing
the shift quality of a specific shift to the baseline of that specific shift
established from driving multiple vehicles.
NOTE: On vehicles equipped with the paddle shifter or ERS, use of the paddle shift
system/ERS shifter should be used to help maintain specific gear positions.
9. From 72 KPH (45 MPH), lightly brake to a stop.
NOTE: The time allowance includes time to perform the Subjective Shift Quality
assessment (upshift from first gear to eight gear and down shift from eight
gear to first gear) three times if necessary.
10. On the Shift Quality Worksheet, record the Shift Quality Subjective Rating for each
shift.
11. While the vehicle is static and the service brake is applied perform a shift from Neutral
to Reverse.
12. If any shift has a Subjective Shift Quality Evaluation less than five (5), perform the
Adaptation Drive Learn identified in “REPAIR PROCEDURE B”.

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21-012-14

NOTE: Customers may need to be informed that adaptation will continue to update
as the vehicle is driven providing improved shifts as the vehicle mileage
increases.
SPECIAL TOOLS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
NPN

wiTECH VCI Pod Kit

NPN

Laptop

REPAIR PROCEDURE A:
NOTE: Repair Procedure A should only be performed if a Transmission is replaced,
Transmission has been overhauled, valve body/TCU assembly (mechatronic)
is replaced, and/or the adaptation memory cells have been cleared with the
wiTECH.
1. To ensure that the process is repeatable, dealers should perform the following
recommendations:
a. Identify specific employees to perform the Adaptation Procedure. These employees
become the Qualified Adaptation Procedure Technicians.
b. Each Qualified Adaptation Procedure Technician should drive approximately five
8-speed vehicles to establish a baseline for the shift quality of each shift as received
at the dealerships.
NOTE: It may be necessary to compare shift quality only to like vehicles. E. G. Ram
1500 shift quality to other Ram 1500 vehicles.
2. The Adaptation Drive Learn procedure is very sensitive to transmission temperature,
transmission input shaft torque, and transmission turbine RPM. The Adaptation Drive
Learn procedure must be performed at the following:
a. Transmission Oil Temperature between 30°C (86°F) - 100°C (212°F).
b. UPSHIFTS - Transmission input Shaft Torque between Between 100 N·m and 150
N·m (74 ft. lbs. and 111 ft. lbs.) (will be monitored on wiTECH as Engine Crankshaft
Torque).
c. UPSHIFTS - Transmission input shaft RPM 1250 - 2000 RPM (can be monitored by
monitoring Engine RPM using the tachometer on the cluster).
3. The Adaptation Drive Learn procedure will be performed driving the vehicle while
maintaining the previous criteria. The following needs to be considered when
determining the Adaptation Drive Learn procedure drive route:
a. The Adaptation Drive Learn procedure needs to be performed on a road that can be
driven safely while accelerating repeatedly to a speed of 64 - 80 KPH (40 - 50
MPH).
b. The route road needs to be very smooth - imperfections in the road surface such as
pot holes, tar strips, etc. can cause minor deflections in torque causing a delay in
obtaining the adaptation.
c. Avoid hills although a constant slight incline will allow the transmission input shaft
torque to be obtained easier. A too severe of an incline may cause the transmission
to down shift. The adaptation must be learned in the proper gear. The procedure will
restart once the proper gear has been obtained. Also, if the route contains hills that
both incline and decline, the transmission input shaft torque load may be too light
and the adaptations will not be recorded.

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d. Traffic congestion should be avoided. The procedure will require the vehicle to be
driven safely while accelerating repeatedly to a speed of 64 - 80 KPH (40 - 50
MPH).