allison 1000 transmission

[abzs]

driving an Itasca 34' class A MH in KY. MH is on a workhorse chassis w/ a 8.1 engine. I am towing a Chevy Equinox up and down the hills heading for the mtns. in TN. After several hours got a alert on our lcd display saying to "check transmission temp". I slowed down and took it easy for a few miles and it went away. Is this something to be concerned about and have checked? If so what could the problem(s) be?
Any info would be appreciated!!!!!!

[othertonka]

I have the 8.1 chev with a 1000 Allison in my MH and there is no tow haul button. The OD switch is on the dash. I don't believe the OP has a tow haul button on his MH.

[PaulJ2]

noleakman wrote:
Where is the tow haul mode is it a switch??

It is a button on the end of the shift lever on 3/4 and 1 ton PU. Not sure on your motorhome.

[Mike_Hohnstein]

Here
Get one of these to verify the temp sensor is accurate. A quick click pointed @ the bottom of transmission will verify. Great item to have in the tool box.

[noleakman]

Where is the tow haul mode is it a switch??

[RCMAN46]

Two things the diesel guys have learned with an Allison 1000.

I assume since yours is behind a 8.1 these two items will apply.

First the Allison 1000 does not like to be overfilled. I run mine at the lower end of the dipstick marking. That is the area marked for hot I have my level at the lower mark when the fluid is 180 degrees.

Second if it has a tow haul mode use it. That keeps the torque converter locked. An unlocked torque converter generates a lot of heat.

[abzs]

Equinox is about 3975 lbs

[othertonka]

The message was a warning that you tranny fluid was getting hot. The problem is that it did not tell you how hot. That is where a Scan Gauge II would come in handy. The Scan gauge can be programed to show the Allison trannny temperature right on the dash. you can watch the temp as you drive. I had the message come on one time as I was pulling a 11 % `GRADE going Into Death Valley, 1st gear, 4200 Rpm's, towing a CRV, but my scan gauge only showed about 220 so I just pulled over for a few minutes and it cooled down right away. I don't think you hurt anything but next time turn OD off and keep the RPM's up and manually down shift to get in a gear that keeps the tranny from hunting. How much does your Equinox weigh?

Scan Gauge II

[wolfe10]

Yes, anytime any transmission is "hunting", that is down/up/down/up shifting, lock it in the lower gear until the grade allow for a better "it can stay in the new gear" shift.

[abzs]

I didn't lock out the o/d so it was shifting in and out of o/d. So could have been the constant in out of o/d but I'll get it checked out. I have recently had the trans. fluid changed and it does use Transynd fluid.

[rgatijnet1]

Probably a good idea to change out the fluid, especially if it has turned a little brown and not a nice clear cherry red. A warning on the dash means that the fluid was seriously overheated. If you change the fluid, switch to Transynd fluid and this will make your tranny run a little cooler.

[Coyote74]

Were you bumping in and out of overdrive or did you lock it out. Constant shifting will cause what you described on steep hills, the trans keeps looking for od and trans overheats.

[Carvin_Marvin]

Have you checked the oil level?

[RV_CONUS]

I have a similar setup with a lighter toad.

Have not had that problem or warning.

However, if I did, my next stop would be to my trusted Allison repair center for a checkup and diagnosis. That's just me. The Tranny is an expensive proposition to take a chance with warnings.

Within the first two years, had the Allison serviced and the torque converter replaced under warranty.

The Allison tech said there was a defect in the converter which they discovered during a filter/fluid check when removing the pan.