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tazzzytazus's avatar
tazzzytazus
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018

6 speed auto transmission Allison with 8.3 Cummins

Hi everybody!!!! New to the forum and new to RV’ing. My wife and I love camping and love to go to different places. Without doing any research we decided to buy a motorhome. Used 1996 Holiday Rambler Imperial. Seemed to be in great shape. Interior is, now just worried about mechanically. We bought this in August 2017 and took a couple small trips without any problems during the summer. Over the Christmas holidays we took it from Indiana to Florida, Alabama and New Orleans before heading back home to Indiana, 2800 miles total trip. We experienced a few problems and I’m hoping for some advice. I’m a Class A truck driver but little mechanical ability, although I am very good at following directions. Coach came with all manuals, but they seem WORTHLESS for my problems. Any constructive coaching or advice will be appreciated.

1) rear brakes didn’t seem right. Got to Florida and took to an International shop in Daytona Beach. They found the “S” cans were binding and Corvus pins on slack adjuster were seize not allowing brakes to fully release. They were able to repair that - $977.14. They seem to be working fine.

2) when we stopped and put in N, the coach would not go into gear. Auto 6 speed with controller on left side of drivers seat. Repair shop stated the throttle return spring was bad and throttle linkage was binding not allowing transmission to return to idle.....lubricated linkage and replaced spring. On auto shift the coach shows a 6 on the left and the current gear on the right. I believe they call it “On Mode” or “Mode On”. The coach downshifts correctly. But when at a complete stop, it SOMETIMES will shift 1,2, then where the 6 is on the left will change to a 2 and the current gear will not go past 2 or it will downshift back to 2. This was not happening prior to the new spring. Any ideas?

3) I’m getting no heat from the dash while engine running and temp at running temperature....

4) my interior power will shut off periodically while engine running. Stays on while hooked to shore power.

5) LP gas cylinder = 100# about 30% full according to sensor. Will power on and heat for only a few minutes then cut off even though did not get to set temp of thermostat. Bad thermostat? I heard cold weather may affect it.

6) last and probably least, but would be nice. My cruise control are on center column of steering wheel. It does not engage, Check for fuses in the 3 compartments that I have found fuses, none labeled as cruise control or cc.

I’m sure there’s more to come but this is what I can think of at this moment.

Any help or advice is appreciated.

15 Replies

  • Ok, there are a couple of things that can go on with an Allison.

    Firstly, the mode on mode usually delays the downshift on hills until about 1500 RPM. It prevents the constant shifting when doing the rolling hills. If you're a driver, you already speed up in anticipation of hills anyway so you probably don't notice this. On my Allison, I go to mode when I get to the big roads.

    If you have an exhaust brake (PAC brake etc), the Allison ECM will select either 4th or second gear on the pre-select and will downshift to the pre-selected gear when RPM allow it as soon as you start braking. Once you come off the brake and go back to the accelerator, the Allison will shift to the normal gear for that speed and start upshifting again. Some people drive around with the PAC brake on all the time. I don't like the way it jerks out of the lower gear when you step on the gas, therefore I turn on the PAC brake only when I need to slow down.

    My guess is you turned on the PAC brake at some point.
  • I think you are far away from needing to get rid of your coach.
    I would not take it to a rv repair shop for the trans. I would be looking for a Allison transmission repair facility for the trans. The cc also works in conjunction with the trans so your problems my all be related.
    Heat could be as simple as a thermostate or a blend door not opening a vacuum hose

    Maybe ask over HERE

    ALLISON TRANS
  • Thanks Mark. Unless my tranny needs replaced, I don’t believe my issues to be large enough to just pack it in and start over. I must admit though, I have given it some thought. I just hate to give up on anything. My bank account may state otherwise when it’s all said and done.....

    Really hoping to get some “fix” answers vs. throwing in the towel.
  • Not being real mechanically steep myself, I would take the Rig to a "good, reliable RV repair shop with a good reputation for quality work and ask them to check out all the issues you are having and how much it would cost to repair all the problems. Then decide if the financial cost is worth fixing or is it time to sell and buy another RV. If you buy another used RV I would take it to the same repair shop to have it checked out BEFORE you buy it. Just my 2 cents worth.
  • You were lucky on that trip. A 22 year old coach needs a complete mechanical and RV component inspection. Then repair or replacement of defective or questionable components. Then you should have a reliable unit.