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dangme55 · 02-03-2013, 08:34 AM

Hi all,

I searched the forum using several keywords but i cannot find a reference to this issue.

I am in the process of checking out/buying a 1999 Fleetwood Discovery with the 275 hp Cummins and the 6 speed Allison.

On the test drive everything went well - shifts were smooth but firm I guess this was in performance mode as I was not educated enuff to change it to economy.

I did notice some odd behavior which concerned me. Around 55-60 mph if i put some increased pressure on the accelerator the coach seemed to 'jump' and i could feel feedback in the pedal.

I have had cars that would constantly 'hunt' at certain speeds around the overdrive shift point. Am I seeing the same behavior here where the tranny/ecu is going back and forth at a shift point?

Is this something that should cause me to walk away from this one? Or is this just something normal that can be avoided by staying away from that speed? Moving to one side or the other was what i would do with cars with this behavior.

Coach has 23,000 miles on the 'clock.'

Thanks for any help

Jim

jlfbatonrg · 02-03-2013, 08:38 AM

Jim,

Check the rpms when this happens. I think that speed is where our old 98 D would shift to 6th gear. If that's the case, you might be at the lower limit rpm wise, and increasing throttle pressure might be forcing a shift.

Skip426 · 02-03-2013, 08:56 AM

Sounds like your feeling the torque convertor " lock up " and that's the speed that I get the same thing. Trans shifts from 5th to 6th at 56 mph and at 58 the convertor does its thing, if you watch the tach closely you'll see about a 100 RPM drop, slight increase in throttle at this speed will unlock the convertor, then relock at say 61. JMHO. Normal operation.

Any service records available on the coach ?

dangme55 · 02-04-2013, 08:49 AM

Thanks to both of you - Skip and JLF - I am getting a pretty good deal on this as far as I can tell - going from my 'relic' 1990 Allegro 454 P30 to this coach. The allegro was a 'proof of concept' for me, wife and dog. It was just too narrow without a slide. Dog had to move all the time when we walked around. LOL

No service records but only '23K' on the clock as far as I can tell - and the price its right (I think) at $38,500 - i got an extended warranty and I have a local shop (non-rv) that is run by two brothers that have 25+ years at Freightliner in Atlanta - they did work on the 'relic' and they are very reasonable $$wise. So I am in good hands there.

So onward and upward one step at a time.
Thanks again!