Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: rclark on March 13, 2021, 01:01:43 pm

Title: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: rclark on March 13, 2021, 01:01:43 pm
I am having transmission problems.  Yesterday, while taking off, the transmission was causing the coach to jerk and jump. The gear numbers were flashing. I checked the codes, oil was ok, the D1 showed code 3500, D2-5 didn't show any codes. I manually shifted to second gear and shifted manually to the campground, I didn't use first gear.
Code 3500 shows to check:
*ECM connections are tight clean and undamaged
*VIM        same as above
*wiring has correct power and ground connections
Where are the ECM and VIM boxes located  on the coach and connections on the transmission?
Another problem I have had was the retarder switch didn't light up but retarder worked normally. I checked bulbs and changed relays and didn't fix it. With this new problem the retarder doesn't work.

Thanks for all the help
Ron


Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 13, 2021, 01:23:03 pm
Ron,

I don't know where the Allison ECU (or the VIM?) is located on your coach, but perhaps the document linked below might help your trouble shooting efforts:

Transmission - Allison MD 3060 Troubleshooting Manual [Page 7] | ManualsLib (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1354071/Allison-Md-3060.html?page=7#manual)
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: jor on March 13, 2021, 02:18:54 pm
Here's where the ECM is on a 97 and the connection point on the transmission end. Don't know what a VIM is.
jor

ECM: You'll likely have to remove a carpeted plywood cover that is velcro'd on.
Transmission: It's on the driver side.
jor
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: Chuck Pearson on March 13, 2021, 03:37:58 pm
If all else fails....American Shifty Corporation | North Little Rock, AR (http://www.americanshifty.com/)

They are in Little Rock.  I am told they know all there is to know about the /Allison trans. 
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: Dub on March 13, 2021, 07:17:17 pm
If you take it to a shop Ron you have American Shifty on Broadway North Little Rock and United engines at 9401 I 30. Both are Allison dealerships but I've used neither for Allison. I would talk to both and make a decision. I've used them both for semi gears with no negative results. Good luck.
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: amos.harrison on March 14, 2021, 09:33:55 am
Your ECM should be at the top of the water pump compartment.
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: rclark on March 14, 2021, 02:41:42 pm
Thanks for all the replies and info. The Forum is top notch. I am open to any more info anyone has.
Thanks again.
Ron
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: John44 on March 14, 2021, 05:41:49 pm
If it was/is jerking and jumping I would make sure the bearing in back of the transmission harmonic balancer is not loose,it can be checked with a pry bar.
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: rclark on July 28, 2021, 07:31:02 am
UPDATE:
 I have a metal plate with a couple of solenoids and three relays and a 30 amp resettable breaker that powers the ECU on the forward wall under the bed. I found a couple of corroded connections on the solenoid and breaker was rusted. I replaced the breaker and cleaned up the connections, including the ground cable, and put dielectric grease on all connections.
The voltage from post to ground was 13.2 volts but when I checked from the wire lug to ground was 9.8 volts after repair voltage was 13.2 both places.
For future reference always check voltage or continuity on the wires not posts.
I want to thank everyone that responded and thanks for your help.
ECM was behind the 12 volt air compressor covered by a carpeted cover then a several bundles of wires. I hope this helps others.
Ron
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 28, 2021, 08:29:59 am
UPDATE:
 I have a metal plate with a couple of solenoids and three relays and a 30 amp resettable breaker that powers the ECU on the forward wall under the bed.
Congrats on the trouble shooting and finding a fix!

The 12 volt "automotive" wiring diagram (B-2126) in your owners manual should show that 30 amp circuit breaker.  If it does, make a hand written notation on the diagram indicating the fact that it powers the ECU.  Might be a help to some future owner of your coach, or even to YOU if your memory is anything like mine (IE selective...)

Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: Jan & Richard on July 28, 2021, 08:44:14 am
UPDATE:

For future reference always check voltage or continuity on the wires not posts.

Ron
What an excellent point.  Thanks for sharing.

Richard
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: Don & Tys on July 28, 2021, 03:41:28 pm
Please post photos if not too inconvenient. Someday someone will be searching for help with a similar or identical issue and a photo of the relays and breaker might prove to be the key that gets them smoothly down the road. ^.^d
Don
UPDATE:
 I have a metal plate with a couple of solenoids and three relays and a 30 amp resettable breaker that powers the ECU on the forward wall under the bed. I found a couple of corroded connections on the solenoid and breaker was rusted. I replaced the breaker and cleaned up the connections, including the ground cable, and put dielectric grease on all connections.
The voltage from post to ground was 13.2 volts but when I checked from the wire lug to ground was 9.8 volts after repair voltage was 13.2 both places.
For future reference always check voltage or continuity on the wires not posts.
I want to thank everyone that responded and thanks for your help.
Ron
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: Dub on July 28, 2021, 09:37:34 pm
Good post to bookmark.
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: rclark on August 06, 2021, 09:44:11 am
Don
here is the pictures as you requested for my update. Look close behind the terminal with blue zip tie at the corrosion and the 30 amp breaker that is rusted between the blue and yellow zip ties. 
Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: Don & Tys on August 23, 2021, 02:48:55 pm
Thanks for the follow through. I redid that electrical component panel a few years back. I did this as part of a larger charging system project. Here is a link to the topic (with pictures including those below) which may be of some use to you as you decode what does what on that panel.
Charging System project (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=34545.0)
Don

Don
here is the pictures as you requested for my update. Look close behind the terminal with blue zip tie at the corrosion and the 30 amp breaker that is rusted between the blue and yellow zip ties. 

Title: Re: MD3060R Transmission
Post by: rclark on August 23, 2021, 06:14:02 pm
Don

Thanks for the Charging System project link and for the labeled pictures. They are greatly appreciated.
Ron