rough shifting

[laborinvainer]

I recently became the owner of a 2000 Fleetwood Flair 25Y on a P30 chassis. The engine shifts nicely upon startup, but after driving about 25 miles, shifting becomes rough. For example, when it shifts from 3rd to 4th, it will give me a pretty good jerk in the driver's seat. It does this in all gears. It is like a short hesitation before the higher gear kicks in. I have had the transmission flushed and serviced and then driven 300 miles. No change. Do you have any ideas on what the problem is and what the solution would be? Thanks.

[laborinvainer]

I recently became the owner of a 2000 Fleetwood Flair 25Y on a P30 chassis. The engine shifts nicely upon startup, but after driving about 25 miles, shifting becomes rough. For example, when it shifts from 3rd to 4th, it will give me a pretty good jerk in the driver's seat. It does this in all gears. It is like a short hesitation before the higher gear kicks in. I have had the transmission flushed and serviced and then driven 300 miles. No change. Do you have any ideas on what the problem is and what the solution would be? Thanks.

[MikeT]

Sounds like maybe the valve body is sticking after warm up -- a transmission shop should be able to diagnose this for you.

[Full-Timers]

Dump a bottle of Lube Guard in. It can't hurt and might save you a lot of money.

LUBEGARD® ATF PROTECTANT:
· Reduces operating temperature, allowing transmissions to perform more efficiently.
· Increases thermal & oxidative stability of ATF for stop & go driving, heavy loads & towing.
· Reduces transmission wear, extends fluid & transmission life.
· Maximizes over all transmission performance.
· Helps reduce comeback & warranty problems for shops & mechanics.
· Insures proper & smooth shifts.
· Prevents clutch chatter & torque converter shudder.
· Eliminates objectionable noise (squawks) during shifts.
· Keeps valves free. Frees stuck valves in valve bodies.
· Prevents hung governors.
· Modifies harsh shifts & makes them quicker in duration.
· Can be used with all ATFs: OEM, Synthetic or Mineral-Oil Based.
· Contains LXE (synthetic esters & synthetics).

[abarkl]

I'd be leerly about "dumping" additives into my 2001 Allison. I just changed the fluid with the two step process to Mobil 1 Synthetic and it runs strong.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by abarkl:
I'd be leery about "dumping" additives into my 2001 Allison. I just changed the fluid with the two step process to Mobil 1 Synthetic and it runs strong. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I hear that! The original poster does have the GM transmission and as Full-Timers suggested it might not hurt to try given the year and current performance of the motorhome.

I do know that there isn't any such thing as a mechanical fix in a can however perhaps this could be low-cost option to try. If the tranny improves perhaps the effort was justified.

The best option is to have the transmission serviced because most likely there is something wrong with the tranny or communication between the PCM and the tranny. The problem could be as simple as a poor electrical connection.

I do not want anyone to think that they should add any additives to their Allison Transmissions. Please don't even go there!

[Full-Timers]

Actually I first heard about LubeGuard from an authorized Allison Technician.

[laborinvainer]

My vehicle is at the transmission shop. It turns out that mice had eaten through some electric wires on the transmission. I am happy that it will be a relatively cheap fix ($300-350) Now all I have to do is figure out how to get the mice nest out of my dash HVAC. I'm serious! What a stink!

[JCM]

Try putting a few mothballs on top of your motor and tires when you are parked for a while. It helps me with the little rodents - keeping them away.

I know you must catch a few moths first and make sure that they are male but one must do what one must do to protect their coach. Have fun.

[DickNJo]

When we first got our coach (used) we had a terrible stink from the dash air. Turned out to be soured coolant from a leaky heater core. Out of warranty, naturally. :-(