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Topic: Sticking Allison shift buttons. (Read 906 times) previous topic - next topic

Sticking Allison shift buttons.

Reading another thread about going to "N" when at traffic lights (which is something I've always done), I'm reminded of when we brought the coach south for the winter. A couple of times, it would not shift quickly back into drive at a green light. Is there a spray to clean the shift buttons, or do I inspect the floor safe for CB stash?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Sticking Allison shift buttons.

Reply #1 –
There are many posts about this issue which is common on Allison W-Tech II remote shift controllers.
In October last year, I experienced a long delay before transmission shifted in "R" but had already heard from other Foretravel owners about this problem, which occurs after about 15 to 20 years of service.
I sent an email to transmissioninstruments@msn.com yesterday and received a return phone call.
You can remove the remote shift control unit, dismantle it and clean the contacts (with Acetone). Do not clean the rubber pads which touch the contacts and be very careful with other fragile parts.
Transmission Instruments will rebuild these Allison part 29507949 units for $480 and claim that they will work for decades, while cleaning them will only work for a few months.
I will be taking my U320 on a short drive in the next couple days and see how the remote shift control is working (after cleaning it).
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Sticking Allison shift buttons.

Reply #2 –
Yup, same two-window display, Allison # 29507949. My files show Brett installed a fresh unit in late 09. Let us know how the cleaning went. Thanks for the information, Wyatt!  ^.^d

Is that module hard to remove?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Sticking Allison shift buttons.

Reply #3 –
Putting in N at every stop light is going to give the results you have...a worn out touch pad!
1998 U270 34'

Re: Sticking Allison shift buttons.

Reply #4 –
I bought a new pad for the 93 I had at first. It was not responding due to cold and stiffnes but all of a suddon it got the sensitivity back and never needed replacing so still have new pad just in case.
I did take mine apart and cleaned the pad conacts so maybe that did have something to do with it.
All others have been fine.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Sticking Allison shift buttons.

Reply #5 –
Unnecessary shifting to Neutral would cause unnecessary wear on touch pad, transmission controls and on any motorist waiting for coach to move forward, especially if when starting up, R is touched instead of D.