Allison Fluid Level

[tbethurum]

I have a 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40J with the Cat 3126B, Allison 3000 6 speed my dip stick shows overfull when checked at idle and at temp, about a couple of inches over the full mark but when I check on the shift panel shows O.K. The trans temp is O.K. but one time going up to Truckee from Sacramento on a 90+ afternoon trans temp registered just a tad over normal and at the top of the grade I stopped at a rest stop checked the trans at the shifter and it show O.K. level.
So is the dip stick wrong or am I just close to overfull and how many quarts does it take to show overfull.

[jacwjames]

Everything I've read says that the shift pad is the way to check the oil level. New coaches don't even come with a dipstick.

It is so inconvenient to check with my dipstick I don't use it anymore. When I first bought the RV I didn't know I could use the shift pad but after ~1 year I found I could so that's what I do now.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by tbethurum

I have a 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40J with the Cat 3126B, Allison 3000 6 speed my dip stick shows overfull when checked at idle and at temp, about a couple of inches over the full mark but when I check on the shift panel shows O.K. The trans temp is O.K. but one time going up to Truckee from Sacramento on a 90+ afternoon trans temp registered just a tad over normal and at the top of the grade I stopped at a rest stop checked the trans at the shifter and it show O.K. level.
So is the dip stick wrong or am I just close to overfull and how many quarts does it take to show overfull.

If you are leveling the coach before you check with the shift pad & it says OK, then worry no more. You are good.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[tbethurum]

Thanks for the replies, yes I was level when checked.

[djay]

I also have an allison 3000. How do you check on the keypad?

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by djay

I also have an allison 3000. How do you check on the keypad?

Hello, here you go......

Checking Fluid Level with the Keypad
The following procedure will allow you to check your transmission fluid level from inside the vehicle, and it is also more accurate than checking via the dipstick.
To enter the transmission oil level display mode, press the UP and DOWN arrow buttons simultaneously on the mode selector. A two-minute countdown begins when the following conditions are met:
Engine is at idle
Transmission sump oil is at operating temperature
Transmission output shaft has stopped
Transmission is in neutral
Oil level sensor is functioning properly
The display should show *8 and then count down to 0. Note that it will take two minutes to complete this countdown. During the countdown, the display flashes and a count (8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1) occurs reducing by one digit every 15 seconds.
NOTE: Failure to meet any of the above conditions will stop the two minute countdown. The shift selector will then display one of the following Oil Level Codes to show the reason for the countdown interruption. The countdown will resume where it stopped once all conditions have been met. Shift selectors with single digit display will display the codes one digit at a time. Shift selectors with two digit displays will display the codes two digits at a time.
OIL LEVEL CODE
CODE DESCRIPTION
oL 0X
Setting time too short
oL 50
Engine RPM too low
oL 59
Engine RPM too high
oL 65
Neutral not selected
oL 70
Sump fluid temperature too low
oL 79
Sump fluid temperature too high
oL 89
Output shaft rotation detected
oL 95
Oil level sensor failed

After the two minute countdown, the shift selector displays the oil level data as in the following examples:
OIL LEVEL READINGS
MEANING OF READINGS
o, L, o, K
Fluid level is correct
o, L, L, o, 1 or OL, LO, 01
Fluid level is 1 quart low
o, L, H, 1 or OL, HI, 01
Fluid level is 1 quart high

To exit the oil level display mode, press the NEUTRAL button or simultaneously press the UP and DOWN arrows twice

[jacwjames]

Here is a good guide on the Allison Transmission and how to check the oil level along with a list of diagnostic codes. It shows several different types of shift selectors so you just have to reference yours.

[djay]

Thanks I give it a try when I get it out and warmed up

[soneil422]

Guess I'm confused on my results of the test.

I pressed the buttons and got the reading: OL -7. Thought I did something wrong, waited a minute, tried it again: OL -4.

That was all I got. Did I do something wrong or is it 4 quarts low?

Thanks

[Duoglide1]

I'll go look for my pdf copy of the Allison manual. I think -7 is not warm enough for check. Not sure on -4 but don't think you have a valid check yet.

Edit if it was 4 qts low it would say oL Lo 4. Don't add oil yet.

2005 Country Coach Inspire, C9 CAT

[jacwjames]

When you are checking the transmission fluid level using the shift pad it requires that the transmission be warm, coach leveled, and has been sitting at idle long enough for the fluid to settle down in the transmission.

If you press the Up & Down buttons early it will show a number -7 and then start counting down in 15 seconds increments. It will eventually count down to -1 and then show OL OK meaning the oil level is OK or a number meaning the amount of oil under or over the recommended amount.

[soneil422]

I had just came in from a 60 mile drive on the freeway. I hope that means it's warm enough. I'll stand by and wait on you. Thank you.

[soneil422]

I never could get it to show 'ok' or 'low'. Last number I saw was '-4'. Then I got tired of waiting and went home. I'll have to check it again and wait a little longer. Thanks.

[jacwjames]

soneil422
On one of my previous posts I attached an Allison document that explains everything. Down load it and go through it. Then go through the oil level check procedure and see if you can get it to work.