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Retarder

1998 U270: Retarder has been working last several days when I let off the throttle, now it only works when I put on the brake, what changed?

Re: Retarder

Reply #1 –
If you have a joystick and don't put it all the way back when you take your foot
of the throttle the retarder will come on to what ever position you have left the
joystick in. Some people drive that way I prefer to use the joystick.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Retarder

Reply #2 –
If your 'retarder' button is on, but the joystick is all the way forward in position 0, it will only activate as you apply the brakes. You need to pull it back at least one click for it to activate when you take your foot off the gas. After that, the more clicks back you pull it, the more it engages when your foot comes off the pedal.

At highway speeds, the last position on mine will damn near throw the dog across the living room.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Retarder

Reply #3 –
Thanks Elliott I forgot all about the retarder switch as I never touch it, it's always
on.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Retarder

Reply #4 –
Switch on always except in slick conditions. Snow, ice, heavy rain (yes a 32,000 bus can hydroplane on those four large rather significant contact patches on the rear tire) Once those rear tires loose adhesion, the heavy dnd wants to Change it's seat and lead, at that point you are definitely along for the ride.
And it is scary, had it happen once, bus sideways on a four lane highway at 45 mph in pouring rain.

Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Retarder

Reply #5 –
And if you leave the retarder joystick in any position except off, fully forward, your cruise control will not engage.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Retarder

Reply #6 –
Quote from: folivier –
And if you leave the retarder joystick in any position except off, fully forward, your cruise control will not engage.
Actually the cruise will engage, but the first time it has to "let off" due to a downgrade, the retarder will turn on, tap the brake lights and turn off the cruise.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Retarder

Reply #7 –
There are no (very few perhaps) universal answers when it comes to what happens in one year or another, one model to another in the same year.  Forest's experience might be as he describes it. Keith's may also be as he sees it. Four years difference.

In my coach, a 2001 U320, if the joystick is in any position other than zero when the throttle goes to zero either by taking your foot off the throttle pedal or while using cruise control, starting down a grade the retarder begins to retard and if you are using cruise control, it will disengage.

I had inadvertently left the retarder joy stick in position one and saw the cruise control disengage every time we went over the crest of a hill.  Took a while to realize the joy stick was not in the full forward position.

My preference is switch on, joystick fully forward unless on a long downhill grade.


Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Retarder

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
My preference is switch on, joystick fully forward unless on a long downhill grade.
This is what I do now.  I will likely add a switch at some point, that will allow me to break the connection between the brake switch due to retarder activation for those instances where I am towing and don't want the brake controller to activate the trailer brakes based on retarder usage...but then can flip the switch on when not towing.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Retarder

Reply #9 –
I put in an extra pressure switch to activate the trailer brakes so the trailer brakes only
come one with the brakes.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Retarder

Reply #10 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
This is what I do now.  I will likely add a switch at some point, that will allow me to break the connection between the brake switch due to retarder activation for those instances where I am towing and don't want the brake controller to activate the trailer brakes based on retarder usage...but then can flip the switch on when not towing.
I have a '95 U-240. There is a retarder switch with a light that come on if the switch is on and you touch the brake, but no "Joystick". did that come later?
Joe
1995 U-240 GrandVilla 36'
FMC# 18675
Lookingglass, OR
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order." - Ed Howdershelt Abintra Press "If you have to lie to gain Support, you are not worth Supporting" "I just want to go somewhere where there's chocolate and nobody talks." - Ynez Reinschmidt

Re: Retarder

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Cpt_kludge –
I have a '95 U-240. There is a retarder switch with a light that come on if the switch is on and you touch the brake, but no "Joystick". did that come later?
Joe

The joystick is associated with the Allison transmission retarder. Your U240 came most likely from the factory with a an exhaust brake. The switch is just labeled as a retarder
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Retarder

Reply #12 –
No, the 1995 U240 COULD have a transmission retarder.

And, in that era, the joy stick was an option and some have been able to retrofit one. 
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: Retarder

Reply #14 –
Our 1995 U280 came with retarder but no joystick.
  So, I upgraded to a joystick also.  One of the very best upgrades I have done.  Kind of a 4 way tie between the hose reel, lithium batteries. Solar power and the Alison joystick.

 
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR
 

Re: Retarder

Reply #15 –
Wow, great info, left this morning and it was working like it should.