Foretravel Owners' Forum

Allskate33

Reply #786 – 19 minutes ago
I am in Calvary Canada , just before crossing the border my transmission retarder quit. Nothing else is wrong. I think it might be electrical. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate any help. My coach is an 07 Nimbus ISM 500 hp
On my way to Alaska, would like to know if I can fix it or do I need professional help ? Thanks : Paul
Quick EditQuote Sorry for the redo, I posted under Foretravel sightings.

Can't help you directly (no retarder on our coach), but I'm looking for online resources pertaining to retarder electrical system.  First hit:

Plug in your location (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) for list of nearby service facilities:

Sales + Service Locator (http://www.allisontransmission.com/sales-service-locator)

Did you try pulling the codes on the transmission?  See DIAGNOSTICS section in the manual:

http://www.rvtechlibrary.com/transmissions/3000_4000_operators.pdf

Haven't looked up codes yet . On board computer did not indicate any codes that I saw. I plan on contacting FOT tomarrow ! And start looking for other sources of help. Thanks for your help so far.

You might edit your topic title to something more descriptive, like "Retarder Malfunction - Any Ideas?".  Will get more attention...

When you said it didn't work, I am assuming the light in the switch didn't illuminate when you operate retarder.  While you are waiting on answers, check to see if you are getting power into and out of the retarder switch.  On my coach, I lost the Tag Axle Dump.  When I pulled up the left panel, the power wire to the switch had pulled out of the connector.  Repaired connector and everything worked.

The light on the dash came on for no longer than a second . It did this only a few times over a long period time , anywhere from 10 min  to 30 min then nothing. Are there any fuses I could check in the morning?

I will check the panel tomarrow .

I have had this happen a few times. I lifted the side drivers panel where the rocker switches are and removed the Cable connection from the joy stick module. Cleaned the terminals and plugged it back in. Worked everytime. The cable might also be loose.

Thanks Barry , I'll try that soon. I have many obstacles to work around this morning, family, and will get to look at it soon. I will post results as quick as possible. Thanks
Communications are difficult in Canada , without it costing a great deal.

Agreed. It seems like I get a $10 charge everyday for 100mb. I don't know where those mb are going  :'(  Luckily we have wifi here in the coach at Halifax  :dance:  b^.^d

Isn't it funny when I hear "communication is hard in Canada" and costs a lot?
When Canadians go to the States the Roaming costs for them while in the US are horrendous. I found that a Canadian phone service called
Roam Mobility" is only $1.95 cndn while in US for unlimited long distance to both US and Canada. I have one with a Pennsylvania #. If you want wifi it is around $3 a day. Uses TMobile lines and I found it worked great last winter when I had all those issues. Our cell charges etc are high compared to US but are coming down. You win some and lose some, and you guys should not worry about a few extra Dollars as you are way ahead of us in the fuel and Booze sections.
JohnH

Just an up date on the transmission retarder problem . First I went to a RV sales lot that was next door to my camp ground just North of Calgary . While getting info from service dept. which was being very very helpful, a gentleman offered the name of the man who does his work on his coach. Then called him and got me in to see him. His name was Fred and he owned Gold Seal Mech. Shop. While there I got on the phone with James Triana from FOT. They talked and could not come up with a solution . Fred let us spend the night in his lot. Next day he suggested Wajax who is an Alison Trans dealer. That is where the coach is now. Everyone that I've come into contact with has gone above and beyond the normal help I expected. Thank you Canadian people for being so nice to an Oklahoma boy! I hope to be back on the road towards Alaska today. I heard about fires in Canada, I don't think they are on our way.

At the transmission (where the electrical connector attaches) gingerly remove and clean the connections on BOTH sides of the connector (ie: CRC Electrical spay.)  Check for loose connectors, broken harness, etc., spray or pac dialectic into the connector and plug it all back together. 
It's positive to occasionally clean (service) this connector.
If this doesn't get you moving, there are a number of solenoids that have been known to cause issues, beside's the connectors located at the shifter location.  pc