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Topic: Allison Mode Question, 99' U270 (Read 1144 times) previous topic - next topic

Allison Mode Question, 99' U270

I have read many threads as well as web pages that talk about the Allison shift modes. They always mention regular or economy mode as a possibility. I have seen pictures of the shift control panel that have the word "economy" above the mode button. I have read and understand Brett Wolfe's excellent  article on the economy mode versus regular. No problem there... What confuses me is that on the shift control panel on our 99' U270, the label above the mode button says "power", not "economy". I understand from reading various articles by and about Allison transmissions that these transmissions are capable of being programmed to suit the end user requirements. My question is this, does the label above the mode button on our coach mean that perhaps Foretravel customizes shift modes to suit customer requests? Does the label on ours mean some other shift pattern is programmed into the ECU than the usual "economy" setting?

Just curious as it will be awhile before we will be on the road where I can test the differences between the two mode options...
Thanks!
Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Allison Mode Question, 99' U270

Reply #1 –
Don,

My '99 U320 shift panel is labelled ECONOMY.  They can be set up so either position is default.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Allison Mode Question, 99' U270

Reply #2 –
Don,

Best answer is to PROVE how yours was programmed because as you say it could be programmed either way, though virtually all RV's have Power Mode as the default mode.  So you need to push the Mode Button each time the engine is started to run in Economy Mode.

On your next trip, after the engine is warmed up, do a 0-50 MPH at WOT (Wide Open Throttle) with mode OFF and then repeat with ON.

Note highest RPM in each gear before each upshift.  RPM before upshift will be lower in Economy Mode.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Allison Mode Question, 99' U270

Reply #3 –
Thanks Brett. I guess that is the only way to know for sure... Looking forward to trying it! It seems common sensical to me that the mode light comes on when you push the mode button and that the label above, in our case "power" would indicate indicate the shift mode now chosen. So my theory to be tested, is that our default mode is economy and that the mode light on indicator means it is in power mode only when you push the mode button after start up.
Don
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Don,

Best answer is to PROVE how yours was programmed because as you say it could be programmed either way, though virtually all RV's have Power Mode as the default mode.  So you need to push the Mode Button each time the engine is started to run in Economy Mode.

On your next trip, after the engine is warmed up, do a 0-50 MPH at WOT (Wide Open Throttle) with mode OFF and then repeat with ON.

Note highest RPM in each gear before each upshift.  RPM before upshift will be lower in Economy Mode.

Brett
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Allison Mode Question, 99' U270

Reply #4 –
There used to be a video (VCR tape) you could get for free from Allison which covered the 3000MH and 4000MH transmissions and mode button use.  It's not available anymore BUT...  we just happen to have a copy AND Steve knows how to pull video off VCR tapes and compress the data down so it can fit on the forum.  It's in the files section.

Warning - this is a LONG video, almost 19 minutes, and over 80 MB (for those with bandwidth concerns)

http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=1829

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Allison Mode Question, 99' U270

Reply #5 –
Don,
  I have a 99 U270 and my transmission console is labeled power. It defaults to the economy mode on startup. Power mode must be selected.

Mark Z
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Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Allison Mode Question, 99' U270

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Mark Zettek –
Don,
  I have a 99 U270 and my transmission console is labeled power. It defaults to the economy mode on startup. Power mode must be selected.

Mark Z

Yes, Allison can program either as the default mode.  The VAST majority of motorhomes have Power as the default and Economy as the "push button to select".

Irrespective of labeling, I would do the 0-50 test I suggested above to verify that the label agrees with the ECM programming (they are two different pieces of hardware).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Allison Mode Question, 99' U270

Reply #7 –
My 97U270 display only says "Mode On".  And when the "Mode On" displays, the transmission is in Economy mode.
Peter
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH
 

Re: Allison Mode Question, 99' U270

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
There used to be a video (VCR tape) you could get for free from Allison which covered the 3000MH and 4000MH transmissions and mode button use.  It's not available anymore BUT...  we just happen to have a copy AND Steve knows how to pull video off VCR tapes and compress the data down so it can fit on the forum.  It's in the files section.

Warning - this is a LONG video, almost 19 minutes, and over 80 MB (for those with bandwidth concerns)

http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=1829

Michelle
I'm using Firefox on Windows 7 and cannot get the video to play.
Peter
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH