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Topic: Allison shift pad (Read 2810 times) previous topic - next topic

Allison shift pad

My push button shift selector/pad is becoming increasingly slow to respond.
I seem to remember tell of a company that rebuilds them?!.
If there is no such rebuilding option any advice on where to look for reasonably priced replacement?
Thanks as always!
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #1
Tom,
These folks do a top notch job Transmission Instruments    Several here have used these folks.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #2
I just got my shift pad back from Transmission instruments. Could not be happier with there work and attitude.
I did not get the same soft touch screen back, its a hard plastic push button screen, works great and has a better feel than the soft touch. Looks brand new.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #3
I just got my shift pad back from Transmission instruments. Could not be happier with there work and attitude.
Good to know, my 'N' is sticking, not all the time, but I know this won't get better. Price?
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: Allison shift pad

Reply #4
I just got my shift pad back from Transmission instruments. Could not be happier with there work and attitude.
I did not get the same soft touch screen back, its a hard plastic push button screen, works great and has a better feel than the soft touch. Looks brand new.


Pics? Help a Brother out!! :D

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #5

here you go, bro.


1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #6
I wonder if the pad would work with the newer system that only shows the selected gear not selected and actual?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #7
Brett replaced our 'one window' display in 2010 with the dual window, looks the same as Lon's,  I like the 'click' buttons !

Lon, what did you pay for it?  :-X
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: Allison shift pad

Reply #8
Mike, your '93 probably came with a 2 window display from Foretravel. Hope to find out if it wasn't and that they are interchangeable.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #9
Mike, your '93 probably came with a 2 window display from Foretravel. Hope to find out if it wasn't and that they are interchangeable.

Correct. 1993 Allison 3000/4000 had two window displays.

I do not believe two windows can be interchanged in place of one window.  A good reason for Scan Gauge D, Silverleaf, etc if you have the one window display and are not comfortable determining gear by speed and RPM.
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 shift pad

Reply #10
Until I put in the VMSpc, I didn't know the coach wouldn't upshift to 6th until 63 mph. Towing in Cal. limits speed to 55 so I am running in 5th while towing and mileage suffers.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #11
Until I put in the VMSpc, I didn't know the coach wouldn't upshift to 6th until 63 mph. Towing in Cal. limits speed to 55 so I am running in 5th while towing and mileage suffers.
So you're saying the CHiPs don't have no sense of humor?  They won't let you fudge it a bit up to 63?  Bummer.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #12
Brett replaced our 'one window' display in 2010 with the dual window, looks the same as Lon's,  I like the 'click' buttons !

Lon, what did you pay for it?  :-X

Transmission Instruments charged about $500 including return S&H. It took a few days for them to turn around.
First class service. I much prefer this new pad to the old one.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #13
So you're saying the CHiPs don't have no sense of humor?  They won't let you fudge it a bit up to 63?  Bummer.
I have a commercial license and am not allowed to remove a violation with traffic school. Also 10 mph over the speed limit and possible suspension on commercial lic. Insurance premium goes up also, and on a crane not good. When we go to other states I can get into high towing the Jeep.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #14
Interesting as my m11 upshift into 6th occurs at 55.  I think the shift points are adjustable? Same axle ratio
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #15
Interesting as my m11 upshift into 6th occurs at 55.  I think the shift points are adjustable? Same axle ratio
We must have something different if not the rear gears. Maybe Allison computer can be programed. When not towing I have experimented by getting up to 63 and watching the VSMpc show 6th gear and then backing down, around 58 it goes back into 5th.  Did the ISM mine has change anything to the shift points?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #16
"In ECONOMY MODE, the transmission will not downshift even at WOT (Wide Open Throttle) until the engine pulls down to peak torque RPM in some application and 200 RPM lower that "regular mode" in others. And similarly, on up-shift, economy mode will shift into a higher gear EARLIER-- with the difference only at or near WOT."
Brett posted this many years ago, think the Allison 4000 can be programed to default to either normal or economy mode. Mine shifts at about 63 also, maybe Bobs is programmed for default economy mode operation.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #17
My tranny shifts to 6th at 61mph.  Not 60.5 even.
Regards,
Brett

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

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #18
Yes, the Allison ECU can be reprogrammed by an Allison dealer.  BUT (large BUT) the RPM range is what is set, so it would affect all gear changes, not just 5-6.
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 shift pad

Reply #20
If all repairs were this simple I would be a very happy camper.
Less than 15 min. even if you "milk" the job.

1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #21
Changed fuel filters and started coach,was going to move around but will not go in drive,all the other buttons work but drive will not beep or indicate drive,removed keypad,will call the repair place in morning.The wiring harness had a jumper wire between number
3 and 1, the wire was cut/broken,connected the wires but just got the 2 snake eyes,disconnected wire and will wait to talk to repair place.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #22
That is what John does for a living: Transmission Instruments
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 shift pad

Reply #23
The wiring harness had a jumper wire between number 3 and 1, the wire was cut/broken...
The cut wire has been noticed by many Forum members when they are poking around the back side of the touch pad.  It is a "modification" to the touch pad wiring connector, done by the factory when the touch pad is located remotely from the Allison CPU.  The cut wire is discussed here:

Allison Touch Pad connector
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Allison shift pad

Reply #24
Changed fuel filters and started coach,was going to move around but will not go in drive,all the other buttons work but drive will not beep or indicate drive,removed keypad,will call the repair place in morning.The wiring harness had a jumper wire between number
3 and 1, the wire was cut/broken,connected the wires but just got the 2 snake eyes,disconnected wire and will wait to talk to repair place.

Try putting hair dryer on the touchpad to warm it up and see if that gets it to go in gear.  I am assuming you made sure engine was at slow idle when you tried to shift into gear. If idle is too high it will not let the transmission go into gear
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago