Community Forums

Allisonman · 08-03-2018, 08:44 AM

I have been strictly an Allison Tec, manager, Allison rep and now outside sales for 40 years. I used to answer questions before about 15 years ago but became quite busy in my job and lost track.
I have come here to try and lend my expertise to RV owners who have questions about their Allison Transmissions. I really enjoy helping out so please if you are having an issue with your Allison, please leave me a question. I try and check in every other day so please be patient. Thank you and "Have a great day!"

CountryB · 08-03-2018, 08:53 AM

Thanks for offering. I look forward to reading your advise and solutions.

Allisonman · 08-03-2018, 09:21 AM

Thank you CountryB!

Have a great day!

Cooperhawk · 08-03-2018, 09:26 AM

I have one. Our Allison is an 02 model. Should I have any upgraded programing done? As far as I know it has never been touched.

104,000 miles.

dbarton291 · 08-03-2018, 09:30 AM

Glad you're here! I want to retire someday soon.

dbarton291 · 08-03-2018, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

I have one. Our Allison is an 02 model. Should I have any upgraded programing done? As far as I know it has never been touched.

104,000 miles.

I can help you there. There's no reason to update the software in an Allison unless there is some kind of issue going on. It's not like an iphone where new features come out every so often.

TonyMac · 08-03-2018, 09:48 AM

Very glad to have you AllisonMan, you are gonna be very popular. I love my Allison MH3000. However, my tranny sometime downshifts rather hard form 5th to 4th? Cause for concern? Difficulty to repair? Run it till it breaks? It never gets much above 200* even when climbing big hills and towing my 4000# toad, and usually runs about 180*.

Then, my PacBrake operates in the Manual mode. How do I change that mode?

When climbing, if the tranny is frequently up and down shifting, I manually select the lower gear and set a 2000ish rpm. Is that the right thing to do, or should I let it hunt?

Cooperhawk · 08-03-2018, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarton291

I can help you there. There's no reason to update the software in an Allison unless there is some kind of issue going on. It's not like an iphone where new features come out every so often.

No issues. Thanks.

Mr_D · 08-03-2018, 10:23 AM

Allison 4000MH behind an ISX 650. in my '09 Country Coach.
Had the house batteries replaced a couple months ago. Not sure if the turned off the power to the ECM but I now sometimes get a hard shift from 2nd to 1st. No error codes on my VMS. Hoping it's just lost it's programming.
Ideas?

CountryB · 08-03-2018, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Allison 4000MH behind an ISX 650. in my '09 Country Coach.
Had the house batteries replaced a couple months ago. Not sure if the turned off the power to the ECM but I now sometimes get a hard shift from 2nd to 1st. No error codes on my VMS. Hoping it's just lost it's programming.
Ideas?

There is some instruction in the Allison owners manual (WTEC III AND GEN 4 era) for relearning programming. Not sure if you saw this or not.

Arch Hoagland · 08-03-2018, 12:29 PM

Welcome! It sure helps to have people who have worked in the industry on here.

I assume this thread will be where most of the questions and answers are located?

Allisonman · 08-03-2018, 12:41 PM

Hello Mr Barton. Thank you and I know what your talking about retiring LOL. I did this on another site years ago and was overwhelmed but a pleasure to help others.
And you, pardon the French,... know your [ moderator edit ]! LOL Very clear and precise answers. I hope I can give answers as you have in your time here. Thank you!!! Have a great day!

Allisonman · 08-03-2018, 12:53 PM

Hello Tony. Is the 5-4 harsh shift something that just started? You did not mention what year of MH you have but if you happened to have your foot on the throttle slightly, that can cause harsher shifts. I usually hear upshifts as harsh.
If this is a new MH, it takes a while to adapt to the driver unless you stopped at an Allison Distributor or dealer and they reset the shifts to unadapt or fast adapt. I would use your shifter and check to see if you have any codes. Just press the up and down arrows at the same time until you see a D1--. If you have 2 dashes, you have no codes but if you have for example D121-12 or if a newer coach you will have P---- codes. write those down if you have and let me know but I think you won't have codes.
You asked about manual exhaust brake? The transmission is set to downshift at calibrated times to lower gears when you have the exhaust brake switch on. The preselects can be changed anywhere between 1-6th gear, the customers choice. You would have to take it to a facility that has the Allison Doc software to make this change.
Thank you and have a great day!

CoCoDave · 08-04-2018, 05:52 AM

Welcome!

Mr dbarton291 has been a real help on this forum and has set a high bar for responsive, competent technical assistance. As the big wad of diesel pushers that got sold between 2000 and 2009 gets older, it's likely that more and more transmission problems will arise. We'll need more of that technical expertise. Thanks for joining.

Best,