2007 Ram 1500 Transmission shift control module

I figure that plenty of members here own Ram trucks of this vintage so I thought I'd pass along a bit of info.
The 545RFE trans that backs the 5.7 HEMI is a decent trans but at 325,000 miles, I am about to dig into the transmission again to change the shift control solenoid.
The symptoms leading to this: Loss of 1st gear and overdrive as well as torque converter lockup. 2nd, 3rd and 4th work fine, as does reverse.
Fluid level was 1/2 qt low. Not enough to cause any trouble.
In July 2016 at 265,000 miles, I experienced the same symptoms. The MIL came up on the dash, the code came up a P 0750: Shift control solenoid. I did a search that offered a few YouTube videos on replacing the solenoid pack. The fluid gets drained, pan removed, then out comes both filters. The valve body comes down then the electrical connector is released for the solenoid pack. It comes apart easily and goes back together just as easily. In 2016, it was $240 with a $200 core from the nearby NAPA store. I never heard of a core on an electrical part like this but I went with it. Now almost 3 years later but only approx 60,000 miles, it has failed again. NAPA no longer offers the remanufactured unit. They have a new Echlin part for $319. The closest one is in Montana. I'm in CA. By next Friday I may have it for the weekend.
I checked with the local Dealer: $450 and it is backordered with no estimate of availability. With millions of these trucks on the road, how can that be?

They want you to buy a new truck. Check e bay I buy mine their cheaper than my local dealer at my cost,get an orginal mopar one. I don't know how good the rebuilts are.

The "remanufactured" one I got lasted about 62,000 miles. NAPA seems to have abandoned the use of them and instead sells new ones made by their ECHLIN brand. Dodge may have used Bosch or Siemans?
The dealer had no clear estimate of when the back-ordered parts would be available. This truck is my daily driver. I run it 220 miles a day, 5 days a week!

Two things:

Napa sucks

and the dealer is no better..

There are dozens of listings for NEW OEM solenoid packs on ebay at any given time.

That was rude.
Also, W-T-F makes you think that an anonymous dude on ebay would be any better than an OEM part from the dealer?
NAPA is surely better than Vato Zone, O'Riellys or the other chain stores, right?

The dealer doesn't have them? I don't know, just a guess.

And NAPA? Maybe, maybe not. They sure charge more though.

The dealer I called claimed that they were on nationwide backorder with no estimate of availability. Price was $450! This is my daily driver ! I do have a backup driver but I prefer a truck for my work. Ideally, the OEM part is what I'd get but as a second choice, the NAPA stuff has been good quality. Their price with a small discount was $292.
On a side note, I do prefer OEM brake pads though. I find they last longer than the aftermarket stuff I've used.

NAPA used to be a good source for electrical parts, "used to be" the optimal words. My recent experience with more then a few NAPA Echlin parts has not been very good.

Many of the ebay sellers are selling Mopar replacement parts, the same stuff you would get from a dealer, if they had one in stock, for 1/2 the price. My recent experience with the ebay sellers, selling Mopar replacement parts has been rock solid. Just be sure the parts you buy are Mopar replacement parts and not a china substitute. Gene

Doing a little research before you click "BUY" takes almost no effort. See who is selling it and where it is from ? Some dealers probably sell more through ebay then their own walk up parts counter. 30 seconds of searching shows that chrysler no longer sells them as 'new' but only remaned, which sucks and the high price you are being quoted probably includes the $100 core charge.

I like this place for most OEM parts purchases not done via ebay. https://www.moparamerica.com/oem-parts/mopar-solenoid-valve-body-68002342af


Once upon a time Napa may have been better, those days are gone. Made in china is made in china, I will not pay the premium for the same imported junk.

It took long enough but the module came in yesterday. I swapped it this afternoon and all is well.
Hopefully this one lasts longer than 62,000 miles.

I hope so also!

Seeing as how stupid the RFE design is using rtv to seal the pan it would take half as long and half the mess if they used a reusable gasket like the old stuff.

I used RTV the first time I did a trans service but now I use the rubber gasket. No leaks either way but cleanup is much easier now.