Transmission light came on

[efstewart]

As I was driving in bumper to bumper traffic, climbing up a very steep grade towards Eisenhower tunnel EB on the I-70, west of Denver, my transmission light came on. The Dash showed the transmission temperature to be at 257 degrees.

I finally reached the top and then drove down a very steep grade for about 20 miles, again in bumper to bumper traffic. The transmission light soon went out, and the temperature settled in at about 211 degrees.

I am the second owner of this Intrigue, and after going through the maintenance paperwork, I am guessing that the transmission has never been serviced. I noticed the the Silverleaf maintenance minder says to change the filter and flush out the old fluid at 30,000 miles. I have about 46000 miles now. I have scheduled to have done in about 10 days (everyone around here is too busy to get in sooner).

Will this service solve the problem? (it has never happened before) and it seems to be working fine since then.

What is the normal operating temperature range for an Allison transmission working with a Cummins 400 ISL?

[Smitty77]

If you do not have documentation of the service, then as you know - do so. (TES295 Transynd).

As far as temperatures climbing to the The Tunnel, and then depending downward (What a great drive!!). Are you letting the coach do the shifting, or, are you manually controlling the gear as you climb? (Remember. The ECM's of the engine and Allison, are in 'reactive 'mode. You have eye's, and can see in advance the incline up, or down, and respond in advance of the 'reactiveness' of the brains of these two systems...). The less shifting up/down a transmission does, the cooler it runs.

Good chance a device will take care of things, for sure would not hurt! But also as you are learning your rig, think ahead of the ECM's, and take manual control.

Best to you, and all,
Smitty

[IASM]

The transmission will build heat when the torque converter is in play. This is anytime the transmission is not in lock up meaning in a gear. when in traffic or especially when stopped like at a light get in the habit of putting the trans in neutral. also you can manually place the transmission in first when traffic is not moving quickly. About the only time i watch the temp is when stopped or in traffic.
Also make sure they use transynd for lube.

[Mr_D]

As I remember the Allison won't lock the converter in 1st gear and then not in 2nd till part way through the rev range. This slippage heats the fluid and can overheat the fluid. 257° is within the operational limits of TES 295 fluids.