Problem with shift panel: no display

Forum for both AC and DC electrical components. From engine alternator to dashboard, inverter to batteries, and everything electrical in-between.
geantbrun
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:52 pm

Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by geantbrun »

Hi,
We're on our depart for a 3-day trip and a new problem is occuring with our motorhome: there is no display on the shift panel! First time I started the engine, I notice a "partial" display with notice "Mode on service". I parked the RV, shut if off and restarted. Now there is no display at all. Of course I cannot shift and move anymore. I had problems two weeks ago with the alternator and got a new one. Batteries on dashboard show 13.5 after start. Can it be a fuse related to ECU? If yes, can someone know where I can find it?
Help needed please!
Thank you
Patrick
Safari Sahara '96
Allison transmission 6sp

UPDATE: I just restarted again: I see something like a 5 at left, a 9 at right and the word "Service" in center of the panel. Two minutes later, it changed for the normal values: "N N". Is it safe to go?
wolfe10
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:12 pm

Re: Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by wolfe10 »

Is it safe to go-- not until you have this sorted out.

Using the shift pad, what are your DIAGNOSTIC CODES? That will give you a starting place.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Re: Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

geantbrun wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:59 pm Hi,
We're on our depart for a 3-day trip and a new problem is occuring with our motorhome: there is no display on the shift panel! First time I started the engine, I notice a "partial" display with notice "Mode on service". I parked the RV, shut if off and restarted. Now there is no display at all. Of course I cannot shift and move anymore. I had problems two weeks ago with the alternator and got a new one. Batteries on dashboard show 13.5 after start. Can it be a fuse related to ECU? If yes, can someone know where I can find it?
Help needed please!
Thank you
Patrick
Safari Sahara '96
Allison transmission 6sp
Patrick
When I had that same problem I pulled and bench tested the 6 relays from the Allison VIM,
(Found that one had failed and replaced it).
Image

My VIM is mounted to the front firewall, forward of the cabinet between the front seats.
Image
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
wolfe10
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:12 pm

Re: Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by wolfe10 »

Yes, it COULD be a number of things.

That is why I suggested seeing what the Allison ECM said was wrong.

Takes less than two minutes from the driver's seat. No special tools, etc.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Re: Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

wolfe10 wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:27 pm Yes, it COULD be a number of things.

That is why I suggested seeing what the Allison ECM said was wrong.

Takes less than two minutes from the driver's seat. No special tools, etc.
Brett
Is that possible/doable if/when there is no display on the shift panel?
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
wolfe10
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:12 pm

Re: Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by wolfe10 »

stuplich@ymail.com wrote: Sat Aug 15, 2020 9:42 am
wolfe10 wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:27 pm Yes, it COULD be a number of things.

That is why I suggested seeing what the Allison ECM said was wrong.

Takes less than two minutes from the driver's seat. No special tools, etc.
Brett
Is that possible/doable if/when there is no display on the shift panel?
Depends on what is causing the issue. But the proper "first two minutes" of starting to identify the fault.

Followed by disconnecting and reconnecting ECM and if shift pad is separate its connections as well. Make sure the gang plug connections "snap" into place.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
geantbrun
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:52 pm

Re: Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by geantbrun »

Thank you Brett and Mel for your help. I have to admit that I finally took the road (before reading your messages). Of course, I made it very slowly and was checking all the time the shift panel and the dashboard to make sure everything was ok.

Brett, before departure yesterday (and before the shift panel stopped showing characters) I tried to push Mode to see if I can see something abnormal but the Mode button did seem not work (no effect when I push the down or up arrows). Today I tried again. Started the engine, shift panel was ok ("N N"). I pushed the Mode button and saw a message (something like "Mode on"). I tried to push the arrows but it did not have any effect.

Mel I located the VIM exactly where you described it is supposed to be. Access is not easy (bunch of wires in front of the VIM) but I will try later to test the relays (when I get information on the net on how to do it!)

Thanks again
Patrick
Safari Sahara '96
Allison transmission 6sp
wolfe10
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:12 pm

Re: Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by wolfe10 »

To check for diagnostic codes:

Ignition on-- engine on or off (I do it with engine off)

Push UP and DOWN arrows at the same time.

That will bring up either OL (on later model Allisons) or go straight to d-1 (for diagnostic code 1).

If OL comes up, push the UP and DOWN arrows again to bring up d-1.

Copy down the codes.

Then push MODE to bring up d-2. Continue until d- whatever brings up - -

Said another way, just pushing MODE will not bring up the diagnostic codes.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
geantbrun
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:52 pm

Re: Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by geantbrun »

Sorry Brett for my mistake and thank you for pointing me out the good procedure. So the codes are:

d1: 2 3 then 1 2 (repeating)
d2: - -
d3: - -
d4: - -
d5: - -

Strangely enough, I didn't find in the operator's manual of Allison (that I got from previous owner) a table with the signification of the diagnostic codes.

Patrick
Safari Sahara '96
Allison transmission 6sp
geantbrun
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:52 pm

Re: Problem with shift panel: no display

Post by geantbrun »

Mel, as you own the same Safari as me, would you know how to disconnect/reconnect the ECM as Brett suggests it to do?
Also where are those two Allison 12 VDC positives that Brett suggests to test here: https://community.fmca.com/topic/5936-a ... nsmission/.
Thank you
Patrick
Safari Sahara '96
Allison transmission 6sp
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