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J Walker · 03-30-2013, 12:36 PM

Yesterday I took my MH for a short drive to check on it before going camping. All went well until I tried to back into my driveway. I could not shift into reverse. The shift lever was stiff and had resistance shifting into reverse. There was also resistance shifting into gears 2, 3, and 4. I did the only thing I could do myself and oiled the linkage and shift lever at the transmission. It freed up the shift lever a lot and allowed me to shift into reverse. I am wondering what I should be worried about? Is this a sign of problems to come? I can see how a shift lever and linkage can become corroded and I hope that is the extent of it. My understanding is that the transmission is electronically controlled and the shift lever only changes electrical settings so there should be no mechanical resistance other than a corroded lever and shaft. The MH and transmission are 12 years old with 64,000 miles. I have been using Transynd for most of the time and to the present.

Ray,IN · 03-31-2013, 12:10 AM

Wish I had an answer. My 02 Chevy dually Allison transmission did the same thing last week. I hadn't driven it for a few weeks and when I shifted into R, the display light blinked and had no reverse gear, also the check engine light came on. I shifted through the gears a few times to no avail.

Turned off the engine, restarted it, shifted into R and it moved. The check engine light continued on for about 3 re-starts, then went off and stayed off. Electronics are great when they work, when they quit they are a curse.

J Walker · 04-01-2013, 01:19 PM

I hope the lack of many responses means that this is not a common problem that I am experiencing. My Allison 1000 with a stick instead of a touchpad is fairly uncommon and that may be the answer. After applying lubricating oil to the linkage and lever at the transmission I can shift freely. One likely reason for the stiffness in shifting is that the lever which moves a shaft was binding. Actually, it would be the shaft that was binding. It is surprising and I hope it doesn't mean more problems later. Thanks for the response so far.

EngineerMike · 04-01-2013, 01:25 PM

I think you licked the problem. Linkage is frequently not perfectly aligned and generally has at least some leverage req'd to operate; add corrosion over time, prior lube gunks up & things stick. Its surprising what friction can do.

Hooligan · 04-11-2013, 01:26 PM

Jim- I found this yesterday while searching for another pub, may help diagnose the shifting problem if it's not just lube..
http://www.allisontransmission.com/s...t=JA3664EN.pdf

J Walker · 04-14-2013, 04:01 PM

Hooligan, Thanks for the link. I just came back from a camping trip nearby and the transmission is shifting freely. Once it freed up it has been normal. Lubricating the linkage is possibly the solution but I have some doubts. It was quite a coincidence that immediately after lubing the problem cleared up. I can only keep an eye on it and see if the problem returns. I will be headed to a transmission shop if there is an internal problem.