Do Not Shift

[BMsuper]

I have had my 93 Beaver Patriot parked for about a month in my yard as it is winter here in NY and my coach is winterized. We are probably going to head to Florida in the next month or so so I went out to start the coach today and let it run for a while. Temp today was about 35 degrees. It started up easily and I let it run for about half an hour. The temp guage never warmed up much, although the dash heat was putting out heat. The trans had a red warning light that says do not shift. I thought it would go off after warming up but it never went off and I couldn't get it to go in gear. The trans fluid is correct and it worked perfect when I parked it. Does anyone out there know what could be the problem. It's dark now but tomorrow I will get the books out and read them over. I hate when these things happen. It ran perfectly when I parked it and now in winter I have to go through it.

Thanks, Bob F.

[BMsuper]

Well, I went out today to figure why my coach wouldn't go into gear yesterday. It started right up and the tranny went into neutral as it should. It is about 20 degrees warmer today and everything works as it should. The only thing that it might have been is that yesterday when I was warming up the engine the idle was about 1,000 rpm. It never dropped to idle and I believe that if the idle is that high the tranny will not show neutral and will not go in gear. I lubricated the throttle linkage so it was more free moving and maybe this allowed the engine to idle at lower rpm allowing the tranny to work as it should. I didn't sleep too good thinking about what the heck could be wrong. Now I feel a lot better knowing I don't have to get out there in the cold and work on this rig. It is very unusual that we get a 50 degree day in the last days of December. Hope this might help someone with a similar problem.
Bob F.

[samert111]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMsuper The only thing that it might have been is that yesterday when I was warming up the engine the idle was about 1,000 rpm. It never dropped to idle and I believe that if the idle is that high the tranny will not show neutral and will not go in gear. Bob F.

Yep, 1000 RPM is too high and the Allison will not allow a shift into gear that high. I think 750 or 800 is the max it will allow. Keeping the linkage lubed also helps as I've seen this cause excessivly high idle also.

[BMsuper]

Well, I went out a couple of days ago and again the coach would not start. I can start it with the key on and jump the starter solenoid but the tranny pad does not light up and the do not shift light is on.

This time I found the tranny ECU (under the keypad) and the Vehicle Interface Module located in the same place. Since the problem seems to be temperature related I put a small ceramic heater near the front seat blowing on the ECU and VIM. After about 20 minutes the tranny lit up when the key was turned on and it started as normal.

I also checked the code on the transmission which read d1 69 32. I am told that any 69 code requires replacement of the ECU. I can drive it as is and as long as the ECU is kept warm it operates normally. The problem is I don't trust it and I am planning a trip soon to Florida from NY.

Has anyone on the forums had a similar problem and how did you solve it. I am told an ECU is about $2,400. (WTEC II).

Thanks, Bob F.

[samert111]

Bob,
I can send the section out of my manual that addresses your specific code if you provide your Email address.

What it says is that code 69-32 is ECU: SPI communications link fault.

Subcode 32 can be cleared mannually by turning off vehicle ignition and restart the ECU (not sure how to do this). If the code reappears, replace the ECU.

My direct email is samert111@yahoo.com


Steve

[BMsuper]

Hello Steve:

Thanks for your quick reply. The ECU and the VIM are in a compartment inside the coach just under the keypad on my 93 Beaver. It took me a while to trace the wires to find these units and they seem to work when the coach is heated. It is about 30 degrees here in NY. The VIM and ECU are just inches apart in this compartment. This compartment is to the left of the drivers left leg and is inside the coach but when the heat is on in the coach these components sweat as the heat doesn’t reach these components behind the compartment cover. I will leave the cover off when I travel so the heat reaches these units and possibly dries them out.

Today I heated the VIM only, which is a black box that contains relays and fuses, with a hair blow dryer. After about 10 minutes with the key in the on position the transmission keypad lit up and the coach started as it should. I think I have narrowed the problem down to the VIM. I will remove the VIM and check the relays and fuses. I am told that if the relay for the neutral safety switch is bad it will not send power to the ECU.

However, I still have the code for the ECU when it does start and run. Fault code d1 69 32, that is the only code registered. If you have any information relating to this problem I would really appreciate if you can send it to me.

I am worried that the ECU may fail on the road to Florida and stick me somewhere.

Thank You, Bob Ferreira
BMsuper@optonline.net
Crompond, NY

[st687]

Call John at transmission instruments 1-866-439 9779, he will help you with your problem.

[BMsuper]

I haven't called John at Transmission Instruments yet. They have a nice website and if what I have done doesn't work he's my next call.

This is what I have done so far. I turned the heat (furnace) on in the coach and let it sit until the temp. leveled off at 65 degrees.

I pulled the Vehicle Interface Module (VIM) and checked and cleaned all the relays and contacts. It appears to be clean and looks like new. I pulled the plugs going into the VIM and ECU and cleaned all the contacts with electrical cleaner. I re-installed everything and it started up as normal.

I cleared the d1 69 32 transmission code by holding the mode button for 10 seconds. I left the heat on in the coach for the day and started it several times without a problem. I also took it out on the road and it ran excellent.

I took the coach down to my local truck shop for an inspection and told the mechanics there about my problem with the ecu. They thought that moisture was probably causing the problems.

I sometimes use my Big Buddy catalytic heater to warm the coach so I don't use the propane in the onboard propane tank. I find that the inside of the coach sweats when using that heater and the VIM and ECU are actually wet from sweat.

When I heat the coach with the furnace the hot air seems to dry the inside of the coach and those instruments are not wet. So, we leave for Florida soon, everything seems to be working as it should so we're going to give it a go. Wish me luck.

Bob F.

[BMsuper]

I chickened out. I was afraid I would have a problem on the way to Florida. I removed my ECU/Keypad as one unit and sent it off to Transmission Instruments. I read on this and other forums that he is very good with this type of problem. I will post the results on the forum.

Bob F.

[BMsuper]

Sent the ECU and Keypad to John at Transmission Instruments. He fixed it and fast. The best $300 I ever spent.

We head to Florida tomorrow. Once I get past the snow in Jersey and Virginia I should be a good trip.

Bob Ferreira

[BMsuper]

Coach ran flawlessly to Florida. Thank you Transmission Instruments, they fixed my ECU/Keypad for $300 when a new one was near $2400.

Once again this forum saved me.

Thanks to all who contribute. Bob F.