Breakdown Information
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RV particulars: Gulf Stream Tourmaster
Driveline (Engine, Transmission): 300HP Cummins, Allison MD3060
Chassis: Spartan
Miles: 49,000
Year: 1993
Break Down Description: Allison electronic shifter control went blank and the engine would not restart after being shut off.
Symptoms: Self-shifted into neutral when going down the road then the shifter's digital display went blank
Effect: Stranded on the side of Interstate 95 in extremely heavy traffic causing $950 tow job and parts replacement that extended warranty company would NOT pay for.
Cause: The transmission Electronic Control Unit (ECU) became intermittent. It was mostly blank but would occasionally flash. The ECU is powered by dedicated positive and negative wires all the way back to the battery. Those wires were checked, batteries were changed (long shot), the ignition switch was changed (another long shot), the two fuses in the Vehicle Interface Module (VIM) were checked.
I found a place on the internet called TKT Sales and called them. The owner, Ted Keating, was extremely helpful - walking me through checks on the ECU with my voltmeter. Because battery voltage and ignition voltage were present right at the ECU but yet the ECU was blank, I ordered a used ECU from him and it fixed the problem. It cost me $900 versus the $2500 plus $500 programming fee that a local shop wanted for a new one.
If you have an Allison transmission be sure to write this info down now in case you need them beside the road somewhere like I did. His e-mail address is ted@tktsales.com or you can contact him through his website at http://tktsales.com. Tel: (267)716-7332.
And by the way, I have nothing to do with TKT Sale except being a happy customer!
Please note that if you have extended warranty coverage through Interstate StarRV, then you basically have no coverage. They say they would cover my transmission but they will not cover the ECU. They cover the wiring harness but not the ECU. Their contract is worded such that there's probably no way they'll have to pay me for anything.
I also learned something else. If you have a Class A diesel pusher and you have a chassis problem it's almost impossible to get assistance in many places throughout the country. Those RV service centers that you see everywhere will NOT be able to help you - they work on toilets and window shades, etc. And, even if you have an extended warranty, you had better keep about $5,000 or more on reserve for emergency repairs! Our last trip cost us a little over $3700 in repairs, parts, and towing expenses alone!
Cheers,
Dennis
Driveline (Engine, Transmission): 300HP Cummins, Allison MD3060
Chassis: Spartan
Miles: 49,000
Year: 1993
Break Down Description: Allison electronic shifter control went blank and the engine would not restart after being shut off.
Symptoms: Self-shifted into neutral when going down the road then the shifter's digital display went blank
Effect: Stranded on the side of Interstate 95 in extremely heavy traffic causing $950 tow job and parts replacement that extended warranty company would NOT pay for.
Cause: The transmission Electronic Control Unit (ECU) became intermittent. It was mostly blank but would occasionally flash. The ECU is powered by dedicated positive and negative wires all the way back to the battery. Those wires were checked, batteries were changed (long shot), the ignition switch was changed (another long shot), the two fuses in the Vehicle Interface Module (VIM) were checked.
I found a place on the internet called TKT Sales and called them. The owner, Ted Keating, was extremely helpful - walking me through checks on the ECU with my voltmeter. Because battery voltage and ignition voltage were present right at the ECU but yet the ECU was blank, I ordered a used ECU from him and it fixed the problem. It cost me $900 versus the $2500 plus $500 programming fee that a local shop wanted for a new one.
If you have an Allison transmission be sure to write this info down now in case you need them beside the road somewhere like I did. His e-mail address is ted@tktsales.com or you can contact him through his website at http://tktsales.com. Tel: (267)716-7332.
And by the way, I have nothing to do with TKT Sale except being a happy customer!
Please note that if you have extended warranty coverage through Interstate StarRV, then you basically have no coverage. They say they would cover my transmission but they will not cover the ECU. They cover the wiring harness but not the ECU. Their contract is worded such that there's probably no way they'll have to pay me for anything.
I also learned something else. If you have a Class A diesel pusher and you have a chassis problem it's almost impossible to get assistance in many places throughout the country. Those RV service centers that you see everywhere will NOT be able to help you - they work on toilets and window shades, etc. And, even if you have an extended warranty, you had better keep about $5,000 or more on reserve for emergency repairs! Our last trip cost us a little over $3700 in repairs, parts, and towing expenses alone!
Cheers,
Dennis
