Our first serious trip in our newtous 1994 FT.
Day 1: The lock on the engine compartment loosened up, spun around, and our door was flapping in the breeze
Day 2 AM: No AC in the front part of the coach (later remembered the GFI in the bath - problem solved
Day 2 PM: Stopped at a rest stop. No, that wet spot can't be from us! Oh Yes it is! Our secondary fuel filter developed a spraying lead on the backside. Apparently from a dent, where it either oilcanned or rusted to a lead. Glad I carry extra filters.
Day 3: The transmission shifted from drive to neutral twice, changed mode a few times, and later shifted from 6th to 4th at 65 mph, which really rocks things. I noticed that the display would go blank for a minute when this happened. After being really scared, I pulled codes and got a "35" which indicated a power problem. I found that the fuse may have been loose - here's hoping.
More later. I am interested in opinions on the trans problem.
Matt B
Matt,
This is the best I have found in the country for diagnosing and repairing the Allison MD3060 shift pads and ECU's:
www.transmissioninstruments.com (http://www.transmissioninstruments.com) 866 439 9779 John Kopalek. ECU's
But, clearly, start with eliminating codes you can!
Brett
Should have had a prebuy by Wole10
We had put about 1,200 miles on the coach with no issues, no leaks, no problems. The trans problem began after we hit several really savage bumps on I-10, such that there may have been injuries if not for safety belts. The first transmission symptom started within a few minutes of that. I suspected an electric problem because the shift panel would go out, and then the trans would seem to go to its default mode - lowest gear for a speed, non-econo mode, etc. The error code seemed to indicate the same. After removing and reinstalling the fuse, we have gone about 150 miles with no repeat of the problems. I am really hoping it was the loose fuse, and indications are it was.
Wish us luck!
oldMattB
Brett's suggestion is on the money. I had a turbine speed sensor code and the transmission wouldn't shift out of first until it was at operating temp. I was living with the problem when, on a trip the summer before last, I got the code for ECU failure but aside from alarms...nothing ever happened. Allison told me that the ECU would fail shortly or probably and I'd be locked in first gear until shutdown and then nothing thereafter. I called the guy Brett is talking about. He is in Texas and has a strong accent (German I think). He seemed to know all about my ECU failure code on this particular ECU. He said that it needs very stable power and the internal power supply, as it ages, gets shaky causing the code in question. Allsion wanted $4500 to replace it. Mr. Transmission Instruments (http://www.transmissioninstruments.com) said to send him the ECU, he'd replace the internal power supply, freeze it and test it and heat it and test it and send it back to me. If it solved my problem...send him $300. I did and when it came back the ECU failure code was gone with no repeat. I still had the Turbine Speed sensor problem which I eventually had repaired (bad sensor). Best money I've spent on any repair or service since I've owned the coach. This guy is great.
I have copied down the name and phone number for reference, but I feel encouraged by the results of correcting the loose fuse. We will be back on the road in a few days, and will knows better.
Matt B
Czechoslovakian please. But he would probably forgive you.
An update about the Allison six-speed transmission problem for the benefit of future readers:
First symptom was the selector being unresponsive - it would take literally 3-4 seconds of holding the button down for the selection to become active. Later, it would shift or attempt to shift to default positions - from mode on to mode off, from drive to neutral, and (worst) from sixth speed to savage lurch and then fourth. All times, the display would go blank for a fraction of a second.
I suspected electrical, and apparently "repaired" the problem by shoving the trans fuse back into the fuse block with my index finger.
So far, 1,200 miles with no return of problem.
Matt B
Note, there are TWO Allison fuses, right next to each other. One for memory, one for operation.
Brett
I thought I saw two listed on the fuse map. I believe the problem one was a 10-amp for operation.
Where are these two fuses physically located?
Regards,
Jon Twork
Jon,
Location of the main fuse box will vary by model. On Matt's U240 it is on the driver's side under the dash (hinged dash). If I recall, the transmission fuses are on the left side of the box.
Brett