Problems with motor home

[Uncle Sam]

I am posting this for a friend who ownes a 2003 36 ft Pace Arrow on a workhorse. He has had trouble with the engine dying whne coming to a stop it will restart. This has been going on for some time and he has had it in to numerous shops. But now he has a new problem, when returning from Top Sail it died but then when he restarted it drove as if the brakes were on, could only get it to go 40mph, although the tach showed over 2000 rpm. He never smelled any thing hot and no engine check light on the dash. He limped on home but then when he tried topull on the pad in the back yard it did not have enough power to pull through the sand and up on to the pad. He let it set and cool off for a while, went out and started it up and everything appeared to be normal again. It has a allison transmission and I have read about sticking solenoids which keep it in a high gear. What is your thought on this problem. I feel bad for him because he just got rid of another motor home because it also had problems he could not get repaired.
Could his problem with the engine dying and the transmission be connected??

[Uncle Sam]

I am posting this for a friend who ownes a 2003 36 ft Pace Arrow on a workhorse. He has had trouble with the engine dying whne coming to a stop it will restart. This has been going on for some time and he has had it in to numerous shops. But now he has a new problem, when returning from Top Sail it died but then when he restarted it drove as if the brakes were on, could only get it to go 40mph, although the tach showed over 2000 rpm. He never smelled any thing hot and no engine check light on the dash. He limped on home but then when he tried topull on the pad in the back yard it did not have enough power to pull through the sand and up on to the pad. He let it set and cool off for a while, went out and started it up and everything appeared to be normal again. It has a allison transmission and I have read about sticking solenoids which keep it in a high gear. What is your thought on this problem. I feel bad for him because he just got rid of another motor home because it also had problems he could not get repaired.
Could his problem with the engine dying and the transmission be connected??

[Rocky Larson]

Can only say where I would start if on my MH: Clean the Mass air flow sensor. Its located just behind the air filter (behind passenger front tire). Spray cleaner from most autostores labeled for this use. Replace air filter with original type/style. Replace fuel filter.
I have read on other posts that disconnecting the battery for several minutes might positively affect engine/transmission problems. Not my area so you may want to research that more.
Good Luck.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Uncle Sam:
I am posting this for a friend who owns a 2003 36 ft Pace Arrow on a workhorse. He has had trouble with the engine dying when coming to a stop it will restart. This has been going on for some time and he has had it in to numerous shops. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>A Tech II should be able to scan for problems if they exist at the time the vehicle was brought in.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> But now he has a new problem, when returning from Top Sail it died but then when he restarted it drove as if the brakes were on, could only get it to go 40mph, although the tach showed over 2000 rpm. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I have experienced this event only once and it was on my 2001 W20. It sounds like a limp mode type of operation and this is most often generated by the transmission not being happy with what's going on with the engine. The transmission shifts into 3rd and pretty much remains there until the fault clears. I was able to pull off into a rest stop and after 2 to 3 minutes with the engine stopped we were able to resume our travel and the problem never again presented itself.

Once the power falls off the best method to restore normal operation is to shut down the engine and wait for a brief period of time and restart the engine. Most often this will clear a fault in the computer and normal travel is restored. If there's something more seriously wrong you may see a text message error code in the instrument panel. I'm not sure about stuck solenoids in high gear.

Your friend may want to take the vehicle to an Allison service center and have it scanned for problems.

Heller's Transmission Service Inc.
Allison Dealer
4760 Springs Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33762
Phone: 727-573-2820 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Could his problem with the engine dying and the transmission be connected?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>It could and bringing the rig to an Workhorse service center should allow the techs there to look into the matter with the appropriate test equipment.

[DAN L]

have you done an OBT II scan? any codes? you can borrow a scanner from many auto parts stores or purchase one inexpensively.

[js9315]

If your friend does not know when the fuel filter was changed I would start there; there is a history of power loss because of plugged fuel filters on this chassis. Good news is that he can get the filter at Autozone. I change my fuel filter every 15,000 miles and everyone so far has had restricted flow compared to a new one, I also carry a new one with me all the time, cheap insurance...

[JonBrazel]

Sounds like what Mike said, "Limp Mode"...

[Ron & Dee]

Sounds similar to a problem I had here A multitude of problems

Read through the threads to the updates.


Ron

[Uncle Sam]

Talked to owner of the Pace Arrow again and mentioned the Air filter, fuel filter and the mass Air sensor. He said they were all replaced just recently, less than 1000 miles ago. He also said he was tired of trying to get it to work right and thinking about trading again.

[tropical36]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Talked to owner of the Pace Arrow again and mentioned the Air filter, fuel filter and the mass Air sensor. He said they were all replaced just recently, less than 1000 miles ago. He also said he was tired of trying to get it to work right and thinking about trading again. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I agree....the aggravation isn't worth it. Tell him I'll trade even for my trouble free 98 Tropi-Cal....saving him taxes and other trade in costs in the bargain.