Getting the run around.....

[scfrisco]

Hi all, new to this forum and hoping to hear others experiences with Allison Transmission shifting up and or down using the up / down arrows....Seems my 2016 Palazzo has a 2100MH Allison Transmission that doesn't allow me to up or down shift when on the road. The touch pad has N, R, D only with Up and Down arrows. I previously had an Allison and was able to up and downshift as necessary, but this one doesn't. I've contacted Allison and they tell me its RPM dependent.....Really??? I cannot climb long hills with a toad, without manually downshifting using the arrow down, but then it puts me in 3.1 from 6.6.....doesn't make sense. I've also contacted an Allison authorized repair center and they claim I have to bring it in for them to see what's going on...Well, they want $700, just to let me know that its calibration dependent and the selector position may not be available.....something about being set at manufacture time......

So, has anyone else experienced this quagmire or is this the way these smaller transmissions operate nowadays?


Thanks in advance.

scfrisco

[Bob Denman]

Welcome to our campfire, and I hope that the experts "shift into high gear", and solve your problem quickly!

[GVP-The Boxcar Children]

I run the Jake brake downhill and let the transmission auto-shift going up hills in our Aria 4000 (6-speed Allison). Uphill momentum slows the rig and I watch the temp gauge so it doesn't overheat. We've seen too many DP cook-offs just over the crest of big hills, so it is recommended to slow down and don't chance it.
Gary

GVP

[scfrisco]

Thanks, Gary, appreciate the input.


I'm looking at the Allison docs and I found what looks to be a Product Family Operating Tips sticker of some sort. This is showing selector positions, and range coverage. What I can tell is that gear ranges 4 and 5 seem to be calibration dependent and these gear ranges may not be available on the 2100 MH trans.


Is yours a 2100MH trans also?



scfrisco

[EA37TS]

Not sure about the exact issue but I know the Allison 2100 is the reason some Cummins ISB 6.7 engines cannot be up-rated to 360HP. Not having all ranges available could be the reason.

I have an Allison 3000 and all gears are available. I do not have a trans temp gauge on the dash but I did install a Scan Gauge D and have the TFT as one of the items I monitor while driving.

[scfrisco]

Thanks, Dave.....I'm still doing the research, and hope to find the answer soon.....frustrating when the manufacturer is so vague.


scfrisco

[scfrisco]

Trying to compare notes with another Palazzo owner, to determine if my trans is acting correctly or perhaps, I'm having shift selector issues....


Thanks all...

scfrisco

[GVP-The Boxcar Children]

Originally Posted by scfrisco

Thanks, Gary, appreciate the input.


I'm looking at the Allison docs and I found what looks to be a Product Family Operating Tips sticker of some sort. This is showing selector positions, and range coverage. What I can tell is that gear ranges 4 and 5 seem to be calibration dependent and these gear ranges may not be available on the 2100 MH trans.


Is yours a 2100MH trans also?



scfrisco

Sorry for the delay. I don't have the exact specs as the documentation is in the rig in storage. I'll gain access this weekend and see what I can find.
Gary

[m1noel]

Originally Posted by GVP-The Boxcar Children

Sorry for the delay. I don't have the exact specs as the documentation is in the rig in storage. I'll gain access this weekend and see what I can find.
Gary

All Aria's come with the MH3000 transmission.

[GVP-The Boxcar Children]

Well there it is^^^^^^^^^^^^^^-thanks!
Gary

GVP

[Wandering]

Mine is 2018 Thor, 400 HP. I've found in the transmission manual that the customer (Thor) determines several items, so Allison may not know what all of the transmission settings are supposed to be. Also, the computer has been programmed to prevent engine overspeed, no matter how many high gears are "locked out". I find I have to keep to a lower speed down hill to prevent unwanted (and supposedly locked out) upshifts that result in runaway unless very hard and long braking is used. This is by design. I think it's a little too conservative - on the prevent high engine damage caused by RPM side - but you don't want to risk your whole rig by trying to get around these settings. Your case seems extreme, but read the manuals carefully to see if it's really a fault or if it's by design.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Wandering

Mine is 2018 Thor, 400 HP. I've found in the transmission manual that the customer (Thor) determines several items, so Allison may not know what all of the transmission settings are supposed to be. Also, the computer has been programmed to prevent engine overspeed, no matter how many high gears are "locked out". I find I have to keep to a lower speed down hill to prevent unwanted (and supposedly locked out) upshifts that result in runaway unless very hard and long braking is used. This is by design. I think it's a little too conservative - on the prevent high engine damage caused by RPM side - but you don't want to risk your whole rig by trying to get around these settings. Your case seems extreme, but read the manuals carefully to see if it's really a fault or if it's by design.

Not sure you have the customer correct. I believe Freightliner buys the transmission and assembles
the chassis before Thor makes the purchase.