Yesterday, driving from Tampa to Vero Beach, FL, on FL 60 we had the tranny drop a gear then begin to slow down to a stop. The engine was still running when we stopped. I couldn't accelerate while we were slowing. I shut off the cruise, then the mode, but that did nothing. Once we were stopped the coach started right up and we were fine. Probably went about 10 miles before it happened again. This time I didn't turn the cruise or mode back on but just drove it the last 15 miles myself. The road is flat, a 10 mph head wind 88 degrees. 1/3 fuel tank fresh 10 days earlier. We weighed in at 29,500 lbs earlier. Not driving anywhere for a couple of months but would like some help or thoughts.
Larry, is it like you loose power, can you rev up the engine, if not do you have the King Control throttle system.
Larry you can call me at 214-762-6290 I had a problem like that was the King system.
Do you have the King control THROTTLE as well as CRUISE CONTROL or do you have an air throttle.
If "all King", this guy is excellent at helping troubleshoot and can supply parts if needed:
King Control. Steve Boler. 22250 Glyview Trail, Faribault MN 55021, 507-334-0250 or 952 944-9644
Engine wouldn't rev at all until stopped.
Don't know what throttle system. It's a '96 U295, 36 ft, build #4805
James Triana could tell you how it originally came, but quite a few have been modified over the years to air plus King Control cruise.
My suggestion is to open the bed so you can see the engine and give Steve Boler a call. He is a gem.
Brett is absolutely right It really sounds like a King Control problem. I sent a control box to Steve last Friday with the same type of problem. If you need help,, call me and I will talk you through the take off process so you can send it to Steve. This type of problem never goes away. It just gets worse and you finally will have to hook a cable on the throttle on the motor and string it through the coach to the drivers seat where you pull very hard on the cable to make the motor rev up. NOT FUN !
Gary O
I talked to Steve Boller a few years back when I had what I thought was a King Controls issue. He eventually asked me to ship the unit to him (through Cummins in Cincinnati) and he rebuilt the unit and shipped it back at no cost. He is truly a remarkable man that will not give up on you. If you can follow Gary O's instructions, do that first.
https://www.facebook.com/KingControls (https://www.facebook.com/KingControls)
I like that,
I was wondering if out in the sticks, and I had motor trouble, whether I could do that to get me out of Strife and back to some where it could be fixed,,
Now I know I can, Thanks,
Mr B Your coach should have the bendix air throttle and cruise control, but you could use a string to pull the throttle if you had to.
Check the green ground wire from the Cruise control box to the frame,remove the wire and clean the frame and the loop connector and reinstall,try this first.
Our 1997 U295 came to us with an air throttle and the "rope from the engine to the driver position" story. It can be done if the King control fails.
Since we've had the coach, the cruise control has worked well, as has the air throttle.
We have the Bendix Cruise air system on the 240 and it has caused many headaches right from picking it up in Dallas. getting it to idle down sometimes takes a few minutes of waiting but some times that cannot be done and I feel this was the reason we had our accident in Idaho on trip home with it. I could not slow coach down when vehicle in front lost control on the ice and snow. The Allison sure does not like this higher rev thing as it will not allow you to put it in Drive.
I have yet to look at that problem but getting close to it as other things are fixed. Interesting looking at the answers/suggestions as one may be what will sort us out. If not I guess as Brett told me change it too a King Cruise.
John H
Cruise Controls for Diesel engines. (http://cruisecontrolking.com/)
Thanks Pat, although Brett had already a few weeks ago given me that info but before I call and talk I want to see if there is something I can fix for the idle problem as the cruise part worked fine. Have a feeling the air cylinder Potentiometer may be a problem, only problem with that is I am not an electrical wiz and have a tough time understanding that etc and how to test.
John h
John,
If is is an issue of not returning to idle after throttle application, particularly by the cruise control, remove and clean the exhaust port on the Bendix control unit-- forward end of engine compartment. Sometimes, debris clogs the exhaust port and that prevents the air from escaping.
I had the same problem on my 1997 U295. Sent my King Control in for repair and was informed that unit checked fine. They suggested that I do the light bulb mod which involved installing a brake light bulb in the brake pressure circuit. I did as directed and everything has worked great. Give them a call and they will send you the schematic on how to install the bulb. Good luck.
Not having a problem with the return to idle. Will call folks on Monday afternoon and get started on this. Have a call in to James T. and hope he gets back to me on this.
Working on the Bendix Air control pieces right now and just had the CC-5 cylinder apart. All looked ok and with some air into the port did not hear any escaping past O rings. The potentiometer checked out pretty close to specs on the ohms resistance. Lubed the cable in wire sheath well just in case it was "hanging up". Next to the valving.
I think some of the FF members have been mixing makes up in answers as Bendix and King are 2 different operating systems. (correct Brett??)
John H
Very different.
The Bendix you have air controlled (throttle AND cruise).
King is electronic.
Some coaches have retained Bendix (air) throttle and changed to King Control cruise-- probably the best combination.
Spoke with Jimmy Freytag about this problem since he said he thought he'd had the same problem before. Gave me some ideas to try and we both thought it showed a problem with the King Control. Called Steve Broler and he had me try some tests. He thought it was acting OK and by my holding the phone near the control while DW pushed on accelerator several times he thought it sounded good, too. However, since I'm sitting here until Easter, He suggested I remove the unit and send it in for a diagnostic. He said they run it through several hundred on and off cycles with their computer checking the computer in the cruise unit. Said that if it checked out then it must be just slipping and then correcting itself and that we wouldn't know until it did it again. If he finds something wrong he'll fix it and return it. There is a $75.00 charge for the testing so we'll see what they find. Thanks to all for the information, you folks are great! ^.^d
well after doing the cruise control things I mentioned in previous postings I decided to have a look at the foot throttle as Gary O mentioned to me he had seen one with same problem and it was a sticking throttle pivot pin. Well I took it all apart and cleaned all up and noticed that the carpeting was possibly restricting the pedal action so cut it away clear of unit and then spent an hour trying to get the thing back together as that return spring was tough to keep in place to pass the pin thru. Finally did it and I do believe it does feel better-very positive return. We will see as cannot start it till air dryer is finished
John H
Finally had time to pull the cruise unit out and get it shipped in. Had to stand on my head, literally, but got the nuts off the bottom and the guide nuts loosened on the guide cable. I'm kind of top heavy from the waist up and had to lean in to put my head on the main air intake line so I could lean down far enough to get the job done. Would have been easier from below but even with the coach all the way up I don't fit. Did I mention I'm kind of top heavy???