Stuck in the Adirondacks....

[FlyingDiver]

http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=6161

Transmission faulted about 30 miles after we left the campground this morning. Got a "Range Inhibit" annunciator, and the Allison control pad reports error P0722.

Coachnet had one tow truck out this afternoon, and they declined the tow. Said that we were too tall (when on the lift) for them to take under the bridges. We tried to get a technician out, but that wasn't happening. CoachNet says they have a different tow company signed up to do the tow tomorrow, but they need to apply for an over-height permit.

Looks like a 70-75 mile tow, from Pottersville, NY to Latham, NY. This should be interesting.

joe

[FlyingDiver]

http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=6161

Transmission faulted about 30 miles after we left the campground this morning. Got a "Range Inhibit" annunciator, and the Allison control pad reports error P0722.

Coachnet had one tow truck out this afternoon, and they declined the tow. Said that we were too tall (when on the lift) for them to take under the bridges. We tried to get a technician out, but that wasn't happening. CoachNet says they have a different tow company signed up to do the tow tomorrow, but they need to apply for an over-height permit.

Looks like a 70-75 mile tow, from Pottersville, NY to Latham, NY. This should be interesting.

joe

[Lug_Nut]

Joe, Will it run in low, or an gear. I would avoid being towed if possible. If it can be driven without damage, even 10 mph, I would do that. Heck 70 miles, 6 to 7 hours, well worth it. There is just too much that can go wrong under tow.

Peter

[FlyingDiver]

It does run. When I restarted after the first fault notice, I couldn't get it out of first gear. Not sure what it would do if I managed to get it up to 4th or 5th before it faults.

I'm not sure it'll even do 10 mph in first. I'll talk to Carl again in the morning and see what he thinks. If there really is something wrong with the transmission, driving it 75 miles could really tear it up.

joe

[Jetsmania]

Hi Joe & Sue! Sorry to hear you are having a problem. What does Newmar have to say? My friend Claude has a '08 King Aire and had a transmission fault code. he pulled off the road and waited hours for a tow. He got mad and restarted the engine and everything was fine. I am not sure if he cleared the codes. He drove to a service center and they found no problem. It has been fine since. Is it possible it is a false reading? I also would try to avoid being towed. If you have to,make sure they remove the driveshaft and mark it so it can be put back in the same spot. Good Luck and keep us posted. Paul

[FlyingDiver]

I got the same error at least three times, after shutting down and restarting. I didn't do anything to "clear the code" in between. If there's a way to do that, I'll give it a try tomorrow. Seems like towing the beast is something to avoid.

Carl at Newmar got their in-house Spartan guy on the line, but he didn't really have any other suggestions on how to proceed, other than to get a tech with diagnostic equipment looking at it.

joe

[Lug_Nut]

Joe, It appears you are not going anywhere tonight. I would disconnect the Chassis batteries for two or so minutes. That will hard boot the tranny via the ECM. By the way, the chassis batteries are the two 12 volt batteries (the only 12 volts there) that are aft of the six volt stack. To disconnect, just remove the main ground only (-).
If you can do it tonight, great, If not do it in the morning.
Best of luck, we have been there, not real nice.

Peter

[Latitude]

Joe
Not a 'Good' thing. But you say the Transmission 'Faulted'

What happens It goes to Neutral??? or??

If you are getting the 'Fault' with no vibration and or noise and you can still be mobile, I agree with the others travel under your own power to the nearest truck garage.

Best of 'Luck'
Rick

[saydiver]

As some of you are aware, we're noobs at this.

Please explain why it would be best if we're not towed. I do recall Bob having problems because they towed his rig incorrectly, but if a coach is towed correctly, what problems will being towed cause.

Thanks,

Sue

[Nathan Focht]

A search of that error code for Allison gives a "No Output Speed Sensor DTC (P0721, P0722)" return. That does not sound like an error that would ruin the tranny as long as you manually force the gears.

I had a tow that cracked the nose and cost 4k. The second time I needed a tow I duct taped the fitting on and drove to the garage instead. If you can limp safely to the garage, I would.

[Route 66]

I agree with the others about avoiding a tow at all costs.

Damage reported by others;

Front cap and/or other front components, rear cap and/or other rear components, mud flap, mirrors, driveline vibration if driveshaft not indexed, clearance issues.

Some folks have reported tows with no problems, but too many have had problems.

[rebelsbeach]

I was towed three times and had some kind of damage all three times.... If I ever own another coach, I can assure you it will NEVER be towed.
They can come get it on a low boy trailer if they want, but I will never allow to be towed again.

My experiences were with the generator door shoved so far back into the lower front cap that they had to do major body work to fix it.... Another time I ARGUED with the tow truck driver to get him to pull the drive shaft, he refused and towed the coach in neutral....a BIG NO NO.
I documented same on the tow report, and as such they gave the tranny an overhaul when they got it to the shop.

Call Ed Dobbs.... he's the Vice President of Spartan Customer Service.... his cell number is 517-231-1343.

He gave me the number and told me to give it to anyone I thought needed it.... sounds like you're a pretty good candidate!

Once I got to him it seemed my issues were taken care of..... GOOD LUCK!

[FlyingDiver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Lug_Nut:
Joe, It appears you are not going anywhere tonight. I would disconnect the Chassis batteries for two or so minutes. That will hard boot the tranny via the ECM. By the way, the chassis batteries are the two 12 volt batteries (the only 12 volts there) that are aft of the six volt stack. To disconnect, just remove the main ground only (-).
If you can do it tonight, great, If not do it in the morning.
Best of luck, we have been there, not real nice.

Peter </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's pretty dark out now, so I might try that in the morning.

BTW, the KGDB has THREE chassis batteries.

joe

[FlyingDiver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Latitude:
Joe
Not a 'Good' thing. But you say the Transmission 'Faulted'

What happens It goes to Neutral??? or??

If you are getting the 'Fault' with no vibration and or noise and you can still be mobile, I agree with the others travel under your own power to the nearest truck garage.

Best of 'Luck'
Rick </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It sets off the alarm and looses power. When it gets slow enough, it locks into first gear. At least, that's what I think happened the first time. The other times, I think it was already in first. After it happens, I can't shift at all. Not even into Neutral. The tranny seems to reset to Neutral after I shutdown the engine, since I can restart and then it's in Neutral again.

joe