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Tranny will not go into Gear, Dash Level Light

July 17, 2020, 12:14:53 pm

My coach is at the Freightliner shop in Austin for service on the Alison.  It was shifting very hard (clunking into drive) when hot.

They found a wiring harness with a wire that had worn through and repaired it by splicing in a section.  Test drive still showed the shifting issue.  Then they reset (or whatever) the tranny.  Now it will not go into drive.

Symtoms:

• HWH Panel shows Run
• In lower center of dash:  the Level light is on

Can anyone help me re the "Level" light?  I don't remember it, apparently one of the lights like the "Air" light.

The tech thinks it's a leveling issue but the coach appears to be level.  In fact, he did a dump waited overnight and it leveled ok.  Still unable to get into gear.

I'm convinced that something in the neighborhood of the harness, etc. where they were working is the culprit.  Several years ago, we stopped for lunch and then tried to get going but it wouldn't go into drive.  After towing in, shop found a bad transmission wiring harness connector.  They fixed that and it has been great ever since.

Any helpful ideas?  It's 30 miles away and I'm sure building up significant labor charges.

Thanks

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Re: Tranny will not go into Gear, Dash Level Light

Reply #1 – July 17, 2020, 01:37:01 pm

Is it in travel mode? Do you have a HWH reset switch? (both at left arm while sitting in drivers seat).

 Can also try extending and retracting slides.

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Re: Tranny will not go into Gear, Dash Level Light

Reply #2 – July 17, 2020, 01:47:25 pm

By the way (speaking from first-hand knowledge), shift pads can and to go bad.  As for the level light on dash...is your coach at ride height (8-1/2" between out air bag plate outer faces)?  Our level light (on the dash) was on for years.  Mechanics couldn't find reason and advised me to ignore it IF I was sure coach was actually at ride height.  I made a little gauge to check it whenever the urge hit.

Larry

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Re: Tranny will not go into Gear, Dash Level Light

Reply #3 – July 17, 2020, 07:57:31 pm

Harvey, we feel your pain sir! Smarter guys here on the board but I was thinking:
(Symptoms: HWH Panel shows Run \ In lower center of dash:  the Level light is on. Can anyone help me re the "Level" light?)
1. Have you tried going in your storage bay and resetting your HWH re-settable fuse and then start your engine and check to see if the instrument dash "level light" turns off and test if it will go into gear?
2. If you observe 90psi or greater on your air gauges, have you tried putting your foot on the brake and pushing in the air parking brake (see if level light turns off and also will go into gear).
3. Have you tried calling Foretravel or MOT's technical support number and get their thoughts on it?

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Re: Tranny will not go into Gear, Dash Level Light

Reply #4 – July 17, 2020, 09:29:43 pm

There is an override setting in the side of your HWH that will allow you to drive. This is of course after you verified the slide is in, proper air, and proper ride height.

This won't fix your problem but you should be able to drive it home to work at your pace and your equity sweat.

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