Re: Allsion issues Reply #25 – July 01, 2018, 02:29:05 pm Similar to the symptoms I had when I lost my transmission cooler. Easy enough to check. Just check for transmission fluid level with the dipstick. If it shows very low look for evidence of oil in the coolant reservoir. Hope I'm way off base on this one.Roland Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #26 – July 01, 2018, 02:36:33 pm Roland,Certainly another possibility, though this failure is (thankfully) very rare.Hopefully someone at the CG can help her get the back open and check the transmission fluid level (and verify that there is no coolant in it) and take a quick look at the coolant reservoir to verify no ATF in it. Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #27 – July 01, 2018, 06:51:08 pm Danii - You are a smart girl. You just haven't seen it before. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #28 – July 02, 2018, 04:20:59 pm Don't mean to hijack but I had (have) a similar problem.Retarder quit functioning & manual downshift response became inconsistent. At the time trans temp was ~197 on the gauge & the VMS. That was max temp I had seen this trip (Northern Georgia) but had been as high as 207 in the past (out west) without malfunction.Pulled over at next level spot & went through pad diagnostics:oL Okd1 62 23 Retarder temp sensor failed highd2 61 00 Retarder oil temp hotTranny dipstick shows proper level.Is 197 considered high temp?Continuing driving without using retarder with no apparent issues. Looking for an Allison shop but any wisdom here is appreciated. Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #29 – July 02, 2018, 05:41:52 pm David,It is possible that the plug has came loose from the probe. But that shouldn't drop the 6100 flag. You most likely lost the Temp. probe on the transmission thus the codes you have. Those codes come from this probe. The Allison number is 295-11861. This is a simple DIY job. You can call Ted Keating at his business TKT 800-997-4858 or email him at TKT Sales Allison Transmission Parts Supplier he should be able to help you out and save you a $ or 2.Pamela & MikeOn edit: The probe is on the drivers side of the transmission somewhat close to the main computer cable. I will look up the pics that I have posted before and repost them to give you an idea as to what you are looking for.On 2nd edit: Here is a link to a previous thread for you to look over with pics. intermittent retarder operation Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #30 – July 03, 2018, 01:55:42 am Thank you all for your help & suggestions, & especially thanks to Brett W. for walking me thru what I needed to do, I learned a lot this time with his patient guidance & instructions.....got the engine open, checked everything with help of a neighbor + another brief chat with Brett....topped off all fluids then went & got extra (Transynd, Rotella, coolant, etc.) & filters to keep on on hand, + made a date with the local diesel maintenance outfit to do a full service + change filters + whatever else is needed, on 7/5.Consider me much more educated & able to deal with a lot more than I was before on my own. Hopefully all this will take care of the issue. The nearby place is no longer an Allison service rep so if they can't get it all resolved I have another outfit to make a date with.Appreciate you all...grateful for the collected expertise of the best owner's forum on the planet.....we're a lucky bunch to have this forum & especially a fella like Brett to keep us on the right path......y'all have a wonderful Fourth of July! Quote Selected 12 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #31 – July 03, 2018, 10:20:11 am Don't get me wrong and I'm not pointing fingers but as soon as you purchase a coach, you have a responsibility to yourself, others riding with you and the public around you to know the basics of checking fluids, monitoring belt conditions, tire pressures, air systems, etc, etc. Perhaps there should be a downloadable checklist for the items inspect on a daily or weekly basis not only on the road but as a pre-flight before you leave home. Also good to have a class where those without the knowledge can come up to speed on motorhome basics. Nothing like a hands on experience to give you confidence and the ability to better deal with any incidents.I know in Germany, to get your driver's license, you must explain engine and transmission operation in detail and demonstrate the ability to change a tire. This requires a lot of study and many fail the test the first time. The first three vehicles at an accident must stop and render aid. Unless you can drive a manual transmission car, you get a restricted driver's license. Pierce Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #32 – July 03, 2018, 10:55:37 am Pierce,that's exactly what you learn at the Foretravel ladies driving school,the guys have classes all week also.If we ever had a driving test similar to Germany too many would never pass and the UAW would go goofy yelping they could'ntsell anything.Our fuel is so cheap compared to Europe that it's become a rite of passage as soon as a kid turns 16 daddy get'sthem a new car. Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #33 – July 03, 2018, 11:06:22 am John, lack of vehicle understanding is gender independent. Women are just as capable as men. The last time down at my fire station at the SB Airport, the crew was all female.Fuel is cheap here because we don't support our infrastructure. Our bridges are all worn out outside of the west and our roads seem designed to torture both vehicles and occupants. The difference in price here and there is all taxes. Low taxes mean low priority on maintenance and people.Pierce Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #34 – July 03, 2018, 12:05:47 pm I meant the guys don't just sit around,the women have many more classes and driving time then the men,at least 45 min in a newcoach driving around Nac.Is a great expierience lots of info. Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #35 – July 03, 2018, 06:48:55 pm Dani,what do we think the problem was? Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #36 – July 03, 2018, 09:19:12 pm Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – July 03, 2018, 10:20:11 amDon't get me wrong and I'm not pointing fingers but as soon as you purchase a coach, you have a responsibility to yourself, others riding with you and the public around you to know the basics of checking fluids, monitoring belt conditions, tire pressures, air systems, etc, etc. Pierce...well unfortunately I made the mistake just a couple of months ago of trusting a certain "top" service provider to ascertain that all fluids, belts, filters & tires were topped off & in top shape for the trip from NAC to FL to South Dakota....that was my mistake, but an honest one....then yesterday I found the oil level to be FOUR QUARTS LOW (yes I am yelling because I am still mad as hell) & the coolant level to be extremely low. Inexcusable!I'm not savvy enough technologically to know how to change filters but I'm certainly prepared now to double check fluids & make sure tires are adequately inflated. And to raise holy hell with any outfit that fails to do as I request as part of the usual maintenance & road checks for which I am paying. As I've said, every single time I have any service performed, I make this request but the last outfit obviously let me down & let me down badly. I intend to take up the issue next time I have the opportunity.....that is, if I ever return. I've now learned now that no outfit is to be trusted. I've had to oversee other work before, stand by & watch while appalling mistakes were uncovered & shoddy workmanship was found, (by senior techs who should have known better) and I've also had at least a thousand dollars worth of work go bad within 24 hours, & in spite of my taking it up with the owner of said outfit, was made to spend another couple of thousand the next time & sent on my merry way. I guess I'm going to have to stand by & watch them when road service is done as well. In the meantime, I intend to make darned sure I do my own checks & not trust that someone else is getting it done. I've spent a small fortune on this coach as I am not a technological person, writing checks is so much easier than learning how to change my own filters, but when I don't feel I can trust someone to do what they said they will do, all bets are off, I am running out of service outfits I can trust, sad to say... Quote Selected 7 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #37 – July 03, 2018, 09:35:25 pm YOU GO GURL! It's not just the 'fair sex' that gets the shaft, so to speak. For those of us that travel (and live full-time) in our coaches, it's the biggest problem: finding someone you can trust! I'll need the 'full meal deal' before we go up to the NW and, so far, I've not interviewed any that I trust. I demand I stay at the coach, which is the first tip-off (insurance regs, is their excuse), even though I've offered to sign a waiver and on and on. I'll just keep looking, the forum has been a big help, but so far, no luck. So, dear heart, you're not alone; hang in there! Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #38 – July 03, 2018, 10:26:53 pm Quote from: mike leary – July 03, 2018, 09:35:25 pmYOU GO GURL! It's not just the 'fair sex' that gets the shaft, so to speak. For those of us that travel (and live full-time) in our coaches, it's the biggest problem: finding someone you can trust! I'll need the 'full meal deal' before we go up to the NW and, so far, I've not interviewed any that I trust. I demand I stay at the coach, which is the first tip-off (insurance regs, is their excuse), even though I've offered to sign a waiver and on and on. I'll just keep looking, the forum has been a big help, but so far, no luck. So, dear heart, you're not alone; hang in there! This issue is what made me realize I could never live full time in the coach and give up my stick and bricks with my tools as long as I can drive the coach. I will travel around the country when I retire, and might get caught up with having to pay for a repair that I can't fix on the road. But I will do all my own servicing and repairs that can be done at home. If health gets to me where I can't handle the job I have a 54 year old son that some of my mechanical ability has rubbed off on, and I will coach him on how to work on keeping the coach up. I do this as I don't believe financially I could do otherwise. Quote Selected 4 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #39 – July 03, 2018, 11:18:54 pm Quote from: Miz Dani – July 03, 2018, 09:19:12 pm...well unfortunately I made the mistake just a couple of months ago of trusting a certain "top" service provider to ascertain that all fluids, belts, filters & tires were topped off & in top shape for the trip from NAC to FL to South Dakota....that was my mistake, but an honest one....then yesterday I found the oil level to be FOUR QUARTS LOW (yes I am yelling because I am still mad as hell) & the coolant level to be extremely low. Inexcusable!I'm not savvy enough technologically to know how to change filters but I'm certainly prepared now to double check fluids & make sure tires are adequately inflated. And to raise holy hell with any outfit that fails to do as I request as part of the usual maintenance & road checks for which I am paying. As I've said, every single time I have any service performed, I make this request but the last outfit obviously let me down & let me down badly. I intend to take up the issue next time I have the opportunity.....that is, if I ever return. I've now learned now that no outfit is to be trusted. I've had to oversee other work before, stand by & watch while appalling mistakes were uncovered & shoddy workmanship was found, (by senior techs who should have known better) and I've also had at least a thousand dollars worth of work go bad within 24 hours, & in spite of my taking it up with the owner of said outfit, was made to spend another couple of thousand the next time & sent on my merry way. I guess I'm going to have to stand by & watch them when road service is done as well. In the meantime, I intend to make darned sure I do my own checks & not trust that someone else is getting it done. I've spent a small fortune on this coach as I am not a technological person, writing checks is so much easier than learning how to change my own filters, but when I don't feel I can trust someone to do what they said they will do, all bets are off, I am running out of service outfits I can trust, sad to say... Dani,How many miles have you put on the coach since this service was done? Ours "burns" about a quart every 2000 miles.Are there no signs of any oil or coolant leaks?It could very well be an oversight or incompetence on the part of the service tech, just giving the benefit of the doubt that something else could have happened. Don't beat yourself up, we have all been there (paid for sub-par service) at one time or the other.Hope your Allison issues are not serious or expensive to fix. Keep us updated. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #40 – July 04, 2018, 12:55:24 am The 4 qts. were transmission fluid. It should not use any. Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #41 – July 04, 2018, 04:03:05 am Quote from: craneman – July 04, 2018, 12:55:24 amThe 4 qts. were transmission fluid. It should not use any.No, the four quarts were not transmission fluid, I have checked oil before, it was engine oil....the transmission did not need any fluid. I know how to read, and I had a very able diesel man helping me. Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #42 – July 04, 2018, 04:34:10 am Quote from: FourTravelers – July 03, 2018, 11:18:54 pmDani,How many miles have you put on the coach since this service was done? Ours "burns" about a quart every 2000 miles.Are there no signs of any oil or coolant leaks?It could very well be an oversight or incompetence on the part of the service tech, just giving the benefit of the doubt that something else could have happened. Don't beat yourself up, we have all been there (paid for sub-par service) at one time or the other.Hope your Allison issues are not serious or expensive to fix. Keep us updated.Total miles approximately 4,000 since leaving NAC in late April....have not found any leaks, and I have been looking. Gary O. and I found the initial transmission leak, (and it was dealt with at Allison in TPA) a year ago, but in this instance it was clearly negligence. I have seen several instances of where so-called factory trained experts have done shoddy work, & had it done over again properly with no charge, I have also had to pay other techs to re-do the work that was done wrong & am not done with that fight. I am going to be all over these people (nicely but firmly) when it comes to any work done in the future. As soon as life settles down a bit (later this summer) I intend to address all these issues & keep a very wary eye out for any further additional screw-ups. Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #43 – July 04, 2018, 07:05:35 am Four quarts is one gallon. That's how much oil it takes to bring the oil pan level from the lower mark on the dipstick to the upper level. Not a serious issue. In a car four quarts low would cost you an engine. Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #44 – July 04, 2018, 07:11:59 am Dani, are you going to update your avatar pic? Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #45 – July 04, 2018, 09:33:37 am Quote from: Miz Dani – July 04, 2018, 04:03:05 amNo, the four quarts were not transmission fluid, I have checked oil before, it was engine oil....the transmission did not need any fluid. I know how to read, and I had a very able diesel man helping me.The engine being 4 qts. low would have nothing to do with your retarder not working. My mistake thinking the tranny must have been low. As mentioned above after driving 4,000 mi. the engine could have used some of your 4 qts. After your next service and after you are sure the oil level is correct, check the oil level again after driving 1,000 mi. and see what amount the engine uses before you read the service company the riot act. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #46 – July 04, 2018, 09:36:17 am Quote from: nitehawk – July 04, 2018, 07:11:59 amDani, are you going to update your avatar pic?......well nitehawk, cannot seem to get the e mailed pictures to link up to the new computer as I'd done with the other one. Will get my computer tech to do it next time he assumes control of the keyboard.... Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #47 – July 04, 2018, 12:52:25 pm Quote from: nitehawk – July 04, 2018, 07:11:59 amDani, are you going to update your avatar pic? Come on, Dani, I just changed mine, if I can do it, so can you! It sure would be neat if we could click on each other's avatars and bring them up full size! Quote Selected
Re: Allsion issues Reply #48 – July 04, 2018, 05:42:17 pm This BAD experience is a lesson to all of us.There is a reason why commercial drivers always perform a pre-trip inspection.There is a reason why pilots always perform a pre-flight inspection.Not that they are able or willing to perform needed service but that they can personally spot a obvious problem or something simple that somebody else neglected to do. Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Allsion issues Reply #49 – July 04, 2018, 05:48:06 pm Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – July 04, 2018, 05:42:17 pmThis BAD experience is a lesson to all of us.There is a reason why commercial drivers always perform a pre-trip inspection.There is a reason why pilots always perform a pre-flight inspection.Not that they are able or willing to perform needed service but that they can personally spot a obvious problem or something simple that somebody else neglected to do.VERY good advice. Quote Selected
It sure would be neat if we could click on each other's avatars and bring them up full size!
Topic: Allison Issues