Auto Park Solution...as close as possible

[tropical36]

I'm not the guru...although one does exist...he has the complete library so far...with research still going on...there are basiclly 3 versions and he is very generous with wanting to help out ...I won't give out his email...but if you go to woodall's forums and search auto-park...he will be there somewhere under the ID of... oldusedbear...here you can PM him with your problem...wanting of info about your version...etc...etc...he probably knows more than any...that actually work on them for a living...and will actually guide you or your non knowledgeable mechanic to a successful repair...also tell you what spare parts to carry...knowing all this and being very aware of the problem...I'm getting one of the beasts and probablly tomorrow...if it wasn't what I was getting for my money and I could afford to go up a few years...say at least to 2000 or o1...I would go with the Ford chassis...if the MH manufactures had starting putting say ...something like the present Allison transmission...custom built..modified or whatever...in the GM..and later WH chassis...rather than taking what they thought would be the cheaper way out....then they wouldn't be having all these issues now...to make them somehow fix it....would bankrupt every one of them and the govenment knows it...I would imagine...I mean I'm sure of it...so they must be at least aware of it ..Lol....Hey...they figured if GM was using it with their truck chassis...it must be ok..and their problem anyway...
Here's the
bear's own words...so I hope this will be of some help to you all...>>>>>>>>>>>
If your AutoPark is giving you trouble, or you're afraid that it might, we will try to give you some help.

The AutoPark Library is basically a collection of information. It consists of factory manuals, drawings, pictures, and papers we've written on various aspects of the system. We have some great assistance from four other forum members who help me with both general and specific problems. There is additionally a huge contribution made by many other forum members who have sent us all sorts of valuable information.

We are particularly anxious to help those who want to do their own repairs. On the other hand, if you are trying to just educate yourself, or prepare to deal with a service outlet, that's OK too. In either case, we'll do what we can. We would stress that we are in no way trying to compete with commercial repair outlets and have no financial interests in any part of the process.

In almost every case, we will need to exchange several emails to complete the diagnosis and repair. I usually check my email several times a day, so we normally respond pretty rapidly. It goes without saying that prompt replies on your part will speed up the process. Not ALL RV'ers are retired though, and we understand that many of you just can't drop everything to work on the motorhome.

We surely hope that our information is accurate, but can make no guarantees to that effect. Simply stated, we will do our best to help those who ask.

Obviously, anyone who undertakes their own repairs has the responsibility for the outcome - - including considerations of safety. For those who have reservations in this regard, we strongly suggest they utilize a competent commercial service.

Patience and persistence seem to be the key words in this process. Where people are willing to "keep looking and trying," our success rate is very high. Hopefully your case will be no exception.

We always welcome comments and questions.

We'll look forward to hearing from you and helping with your AutoPark problems.

[tropical36]

I'm not the guru...although one does exist...he has the complete library so far...with research still going on...there are basiclly 3 versions and he is very generous with wanting to help out ...I won't give out his email...but if you go to woodall's forums and search auto-park...he will be there somewhere under the ID of... oldusedbear...here you can PM him with your problem...wanting of info about your version...etc...etc...he probably knows more than any...that actually work on them for a living...and will actually guide you or your non knowledgeable mechanic to a successful repair...also tell you what spare parts to carry...knowing all this and being very aware of the problem...I'm getting one of the beasts and probablly tomorrow...if it wasn't what I was getting for my money and I could afford to go up a few years...say at least to 2000 or o1...I would go with the Ford chassis...if the MH manufactures had starting putting say ...something like the present Allison transmission...custom built..modified or whatever...in the GM..and later WH chassis...rather than taking what they thought would be the cheaper way out....then they wouldn't be having all these issues now...to make them somehow fix it....would bankrupt every one of them and the govenment knows it...I would imagine...I mean I'm sure of it...so they must be at least aware of it ..Lol....Hey...they figured if GM was using it with their truck chassis...it must be ok..and their problem anyway...
Here's the
bear's own words...so I hope this will be of some help to you all...>>>>>>>>>>>
If your AutoPark is giving you trouble, or you're afraid that it might, we will try to give you some help.

The AutoPark Library is basically a collection of information. It consists of factory manuals, drawings, pictures, and papers we've written on various aspects of the system. We have some great assistance from four other forum members who help me with both general and specific problems. There is additionally a huge contribution made by many other forum members who have sent us all sorts of valuable information.

We are particularly anxious to help those who want to do their own repairs. On the other hand, if you are trying to just educate yourself, or prepare to deal with a service outlet, that's OK too. In either case, we'll do what we can. We would stress that we are in no way trying to compete with commercial repair outlets and have no financial interests in any part of the process.

In almost every case, we will need to exchange several emails to complete the diagnosis and repair. I usually check my email several times a day, so we normally respond pretty rapidly. It goes without saying that prompt replies on your part will speed up the process. Not ALL RV'ers are retired though, and we understand that many of you just can't drop everything to work on the motorhome.

We surely hope that our information is accurate, but can make no guarantees to that effect. Simply stated, we will do our best to help those who ask.

Obviously, anyone who undertakes their own repairs has the responsibility for the outcome - - including considerations of safety. For those who have reservations in this regard, we strongly suggest they utilize a competent commercial service.

Patience and persistence seem to be the key words in this process. Where people are willing to "keep looking and trying," our success rate is very high. Hopefully your case will be no exception.

We always welcome comments and questions.

We'll look forward to hearing from you and helping with your AutoPark problems.

[oemtech]

I have been telling folks this for months. The woodalls forum and rv.net forum are one in the same. A PM to oldusedbear will get you started.

oldusedbear has the 2 versions of the J71 down pat. The J72 is another matter (current version).

[RattlenRam]

Do they have the same problem with the J72 as they do with the J71.

[oemtech]

This is just a guess... no. This is due to the fact that the J71 is mostly mechanical and the J72 is more electronics than mechanical.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by oemtech:
This is just a guess... no. This is due to the fact that the J71 is mostly mechanical and the J72 is more electronics than mechanical. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The J72 is absent the electric/hydraulic switches that are problematic in the J71 system. The J71 uses 2 high pressure electric/hydraulic switches which have been known to split open or leak fluid. I don't believe the failure is related as much to the electrical side but more so to the lack of fluid if the system ruptures. Once the switches are changed and the fluid is topped off typically all is well.

In Orlando, Florida at the Samboree an owner approached me and said that he didn't have any of the normal problems with his J71 "because" he proactively changes 1 switch every 9 months and he changes the second switch every 15 months. He based this strategy on past observation and history. He said, "I know they're going to leak because I had the motorhome for a long time and in the past the switches have failed like clockwork." The owner told me that he loves his motorhome and he's keeping it.

[TOMF1936]

Driver
In what year did they start using J72?

Tom

[DriVer]

The Auto Apply Brake

The parking brake on the P Series 16,500 lb., 17,000 lb., 18,000 lb. as well as the W Series 18,000 lb. and 24,000 lb. GVWR chassis incorporates a unique automatic apply feature. The parking brake is spring applied and hydraulic release. The automatic electric/hydraulic parking system controls the transmission/propeller shaft mounted parking brake. Workhorse utilizes two designs of automatic apply park brake systems, the J71 and J72. All P Series 16,500 lb., 17,000 lb. and 18,000 lb GVWR chassis were equipped with the J71 system through the 2004 model year. Starting in the 2005 model year the 17,000 lb. and 18,000 lb. chassis became equipped with either the J72 system. All W Series 24,000 lb. GVWR chassis are equipped with the J72 system. Both systems components and operation are outlined in the following pages.

In 2007 the J72 auto apply parking brake was discontinued on the W24 & W25.5 because Allison Automatic Transmission provided Workhorse Custom Chassis with an exclusive feature parking pawl in the 2000 Series transmission. The W16 & W18 continue to use the J72 system because the 4L-80E and the 4L-85E 4 speed automatics are not provided with a parking pawl from General Motors.

[max49]

Driver, you once said how you can tell , just by looking at it, if it is a J-71 or J-72, but I forgot what the difference is. This is how I found that mine is a J-71. My manual says that WH changed to the J-72 during the '04 model year but did'nt say how to tell what you had in your coach.
Is there a code # in the VIN for this?

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by max49:
Is there a code # in the VIN for this? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>It's not in the VIN# it's in the SPID. Look for J72. You will see small sheet of numbers perhaps in your engine compartment someplace with a lot of 3 character, numbers and or letters. The SPID is Service Parts IDentification. If not J72 look for J71 but I would tend to believe that you have a J72 on a 2005 coach.

EDIT: My SPID sheet is stuck on the bodywork in front up high in the engine compartment. It's white and about 2 1/2 or 3 inches by 4 inches.

If you give me the last 6 digits of your VIN# I can check my alternate resources.

[Kazoo Tom]

I am one that can personally attest to the help that "oldusedbear" can provide. I was having some minor problems with mine. Sent a message to him and got an almost immediate reply. His diagnosis was "right on" and the repair was made quickly and efficiently.

If there is anyone having any problems, look him up on the other forum, you will be well pleased with the results.

[DriVer]

Max49, Did you get a handle on that J72 SPID?

[max49]

Driver, you were the first one to tell me what to look for to tell if I had the J-71 or 72. Thats what I was asking you but I think you said the 71 has a cable going to it (and mine does) and I think you said the 72 was hydraulic but that physical difference is what I was asking you about, again.
Also my SPID has J-71 on it too.
The coach is an '05 but of course the chassis is an '04. Maybe I got the last J-71.
However if the cable or hydraulics is the only difference, I might would rather have the 71. Might be easier to disconnect if necessary. But IDK for sure.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by max49:
... you said the 71 has a cable going to it (and mine does) and I think you said the 72 was hydraulic but that physical difference is what I was asking you about, again. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>True that! The J71 does have a cable and the J72 has a hydraulic line going to the drum.