Limited Power When Stuck

brishan02 · December 8, 2009

I own a 2008 2500HD.So the other day I had parked on the side of the road in a grassy and very soft area. I was towing a small landscape trailer with a small 1 ton roller on it and also had a small load in the back of the bed (also a dump insert). So I go to pull out and see that I am getting stuck so I switch into 4 wheel drive and to my suprise I was only able to acheive at max 2000rpms. My tires were spinning and digging myself deeper, but I had no power above that range. This also happened about 3 weeks ago when I had to pull somone out of the mud when they were offroadding. Completely empty truck....and no trailer of course! I had absolutly no power.

Is there some sort of rev limiter that i am unaware about? I also own a 2003 2500hd and this is never an issue. It's almost like there is some sort of traction control taking over but I have no switch to turn it off! Please let me know if there is something that can be done or if its just my truck thats screwed up!

Stevens03 · December 8, 2009

I didn't think the 08's had traction control, but that sure sounds like whats going on.

jf781 · December 8, 2009

Is there the trac control icon flashing on the dash when this was going on?

Does the same thing happen in 4lo. I know at least on my 09 when in 4lo that traction control and stabbilitrak are turned off.

BTW - hope you got out ok!!

RJG183SA · December 8, 2009

I'm thinkin torque management kickin in. I had a situation with my previous '03 (pre-tune). Could not move after parking on a slab of ice, engine would only rev up to around 2k with 4x4 engaged. I tried rocking (going from drive to reverse rapidly) the nannies would not allow it to shift while the revs were up. The worst part of all was, I had to have a co-worker with a Dodge pull me off the ice patch

After the tune was installed (eliminating most of the TM) I could rev to redline while spinning the wheels

brishan02 · December 19, 2009

I'm thinkin torque management kickin in. I had a situation with my previous '03 (pre-tune). Could not move after parking on a slab of ice, engine would only rev up to around 2k with 4x4 engaged. I tried rocking (going from drive to reverse rapidly) the nannies would not allow it to shift while the revs were up. The worst part of all was, I had to have a co-worker with a Dodge pull me off the ice patch

After the tune was installed (eliminating most of the TM) I could rev to redline while spinning the wheels

So Im no mechanic or anything but what do you mean after the "tune" was installed? What exactly is done? I plow with this truck and it seems silly not to have full power at all times while plowing !