Problem(s) with the retarder? How did you get it serviced?
Problem: I have a 2003 U320 with an Allison 4000MH tranny. The retarder started acting weird on our way to the Ladies Driving School that ended last week. The retarder use to work in this manner: toggle switch ON, hand lever pushed forward as far as it will go = retarder will not engage while decelerating or braking. Retarder works in this manner currently: Toggle switch ON, hand lever pushed forward as far as it will go = retarder engages while decelerating or braking. If I want to use the cruise control, I have to toggle switch OFF the retarder. While at FOT I had them check out the retarder. They plugged a "brain" gizmo into the wiring harness and drove the rig down the highway and verified that something was amiss with the retarder. Specifically the retarder will not disengage when decelerating/braking. FOT said they can't fix it and to take it to an Allison service center. Well the LDS ended and we motored to the DFW area where I called an Allison service center and described the problem with the retarder. Allison referred me to Stewart & Stevenson. I presume S&S makes the retarder. I called S&S and they said it appears to be a loose wire since the tranny wasn't displaying any error codes; that FOT should be able to diagnose and fix the problem since FOT has all the wiring schematics. I called FOT and they insisted that they can't fix the problem. Called S&S and relayed the info to them. S&S is still sticking to their original thoughts but said bring the rig in and they would call FOT for info on the coach wiring. However, S&S doesn't have any plugins to keep the house battery charged; refer going, etc. It might take days to figure out the problem.
Topic: Problem(s) with the retarder? How did you get it serviced? (Read 1017 times)
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