Posted by Jason Locke on to
News
The P0871 code put fear into the hearts of even the most courageous of Ram 2500 or 3500 Cummins owners, and it's a very bad sign for the condition of your Ram's transmission. That being said, just because the P0871 code shows its demonic face, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll need a new transmission or a rebuild. However, if you let that code go unattended too long and you start getting weird shifting into 5th or 6th gear, then things can get pretty spicy for your Ram, its transmission, and your wallet in one heck of a hurry. So the question becomes, can you fix a P0871 code with just a valve body? If so, at what point? And at what point do you actually need a full transmission or transmission rebuild? We here at Tier One are going to give you the long answer below, but the short and very unsatisfying answer is it depends. There's a lot of factors that go into whether fixing a P0871 code solely requires a new 68RFE valve body or something substantial, and there's really no one "correct" answer for everyone.
What is the P0871 Code?
The P0871 code is a standardized OBD-II code that's technically an "overdrive pressure switch rationality code" and occurs when the overdrive pressure switch is in a position that's unexpected by the truck's computer. While this sounds like a fairly minor issue, it's appearance is a harbinger of very bad things. The cause of the P0871 is generally due to issues on the 68RFE's valve body with the most common issue being SSV bore wear that causes a loss in pressure to the overdrive circuit. However, cross-leaks that cause a general loss in pressure, issues with the solenoid pack, or problems with the overdrive pressure switch can also potentially be the issue. If SSV bore wear or cross-leaks are your problem, your only real solution is a new valve body. That being said, in some cases, just doing a valve body may not be enough or it may be too late.
Can the P0871 code be a sign of bigger problems?
If your P0871 code is due to pressure issues in the valve body (and most cases of the P0871 are), that does some other things inside your transmission. A loss of pressure in the transmission can lead to only partial engagement of the 68RFE's overdrive clutches. This partial engagement causes slipping, which in turn causes a ton of hear buildup. The overdrive clutches on the 68RFEs aren't all that thick, and that heat can easily burn them up after enough driving. If your overdrive clutches get too burnt (or fuse into an angry lump of garbage that also damages the hub), your transmission will no longer be able to mechanically shift into 5th or 6th gear, regardless of whether or not you swap out the valve body. At this point, your only solution is a new or rebuilt 68RFE transmission. That's why it's critical to take action on a P0871 code early and to try to not drive the truck much (if at all) when the P0871 comes for you.
Can a Valve Body Fix a P0871 Code?
In theory, a new valve body (be it OEM or a high-pressure aftermarket) can fix P0871 code, but the problem is how much damage is already done to the overdrive clutches or other parts of the transmission. A 68RFE valve body will fix a P0871 code, it's just a matter of whether or not it's too late for the rest of your transmission.
If you want to prevent a P0871 code from becoming a major hassle, you need to do the following:
- The first time you get the P0871 code, take action. Don't keep clearing the code for a weeks hoping it will go away.
- Once the code shows up, check your transmission dipstick and see if the fluid is still in good condition and doesn't smell burnt.
- If the fluid on the dipstick looks bad or smells burned, you're probably hosed. However, you can drop the pan and see if there's material in the bottom of the pan.
- If the pan looks good, then you can mostly likely get away with just a valve body.
- If you see a lot of clutch material in the pan or the fluid looks really bad, you'll likely need a transmission at that point.
A P0871 Code doesn't necessarily mean you need a transmission...if you act fast
In conclusion, a P0871 code is not an absolute death sentence for your Ram's 68RFE transmission, but if you let that code go and don't address it in pretty short order, you're going to have a bad time. The good news is that jumping up to a 68RFE high-pressure valve body is a solid upgrade, even for a bone-stock truck, so if a P0871 code does happen to your truck, it's not necessarily the end of the world. Just make sure that you jump on fixing the P0871 code as soon as it comes up, and you may be okay. If you do end up installing a new valve body and it doesn't fix the issue, you may need to jump into a transmission or look into other electrical/ECU issues. However, the vast majority of the P0871 issues are valve body related, and attacking that first, quickly, and with the right 68RFE valve body is the best way to save the rest of your transmission.Tier One 68RFE High-Pressure Valve Bodies:
