Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Hseason@comcast Net on October 29, 2006, 01:09:28 am
Title: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Hseason@comcast Net on October 29, 2006, 01:09:28 am
Yahoo Message Number: 26502 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26502)I picked up my Inspire at the end of June 06 and immediately took it to SilverLeaf in Albany, OR where I had that unit installed. Good thing as my CC dash transmission temp guage has never worked. When I got home to ABQ in early July, I took the coach to the only CC-authorized place in ABQ, a Cummins Coach Care facility. They diagnosed the problem as a bad gauge and ordered and installed a new one several weeks later. Gauge still does not work (it never moves off of the left side lowest reading). The SL has been reading tranny temp within a few degrees of engine temp all of the time. Any ideas on why the CC dash tranny gauge might not be working? I know I can take it back to the Coach Care facility but I am leery of doing that (just don't feel comfortable with them).
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Ned Herrmann on October 29, 2006, 10:37:04 am
Yahoo Message Number: 26509 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26509)Harry. If you crawl under your coach, and look at the tranny, on the front there are 2 hoses that run towards the radiator. The one has wire with a small sending unit in the elbow. That is the trans temp sending unit. Because the unit measures electrical resistance, if you unhook it, the gauge should show zero or max and if you ground it the opposite. Usually grounding is max. That should tell you if it the gauge works. If it does, then it is the sending unit. Let me know. Ned Inspire 51677
Quote from: hseason@\.\.\.
> I picked up my Inspire at the end of June 06 and immediately took it to SilverLeaf in
Albany, OR where I had that unit installed. Good thing as my CC dash transmission temp guage has never worked. When I got home to ABQ in early July, I took the coach to the only CC-authorized place in ABQ, a Cummins Coach Care facility. They diagnosed the problem as a bad gauge and ordered and installed a new one several weeks later. Gauge still does not work (it never moves off of the left side lowest reading). The SL has been reading tranny temp within a few degrees of engine temp all of the time.
Quote
>
Any ideas on why the CC dash tranny gauge might not be working? I know I can
take it back to the Coach Care facility but I am leery of doing that (just don't feel comfortable with them).
Quote
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
---------
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Harry Season on October 31, 2006, 04:08:17 pm
I got under the coach today and found the wire to the tranny temp sending unit. I disconnected the wire and checked my dash temp gauge - still read minimum. I then grounded the wire which was attached to the sending unit and still no movement of the dash gauge. I tried this test with the ignition both on and off and never saw any movement of the dash gauge. Sounds like a bad dash gauge, which is somewhat disconcerting as I was told by the Coach Care facility that they had replaced a faulty gauge and it was operating properly. I don't think so.
Thanx for your tips.
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Dave Hills_1 on October 31, 2006, 06:51:13 pm
You might want to check the wiring from the sender to the gauge. I have found a number of badly crimped terminals and splices on mine that have caused various problems. Dave
2000 Allure 36' #30444
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Ned Herrmann on October 31, 2006, 06:54:04 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26580 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26580)Harry. That sounds like an issue with the gauge but one other check. Remove the leather blister behind the gauges. There are a couple screws on the top, with caps, and one under the dash on the left side of the stearing wheel. If you lay under the stearing wheel and look up, you will see a screw that goes through the plywood of the flat part of the dash and up into the blister. Once off, you can see the back of the gauges. There are 3 wires, one ground, one 12volt power and the other from the sending unit. Does it have 12volt to the gauge? Two things before going to that trouble, is when you turn on the key does the gauge move at all. If it does, it probably has power. Also, check the fues that powers the gauge. If you want to buy a gauge, I think it was only 15 bucks from CC. Have fun! Ned Inspire 51677
Quote from: Harry Season"
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Harry Season on November 01, 2006, 05:58:50 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26607 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26607)Ned: I was able to determine the following today: The tranny temp gauge has four leads on it for the following: 1) Green for the ground; 2) Brown for the gauge lamp; 3) Yellow for 12 VDC and 4) Red for the wire from the sending unit. I was able to check the yellow wire and, only with the ignition on, I have 12 VDC at that post on the back of the gauge. I then disconnected the wire from the sending unit and grounded it to the chassis (as best I could). I checked the continuity of the red sending unit wire on the back of the gauge and it read ~77 ohms which may be due to the length of the wire and/or my poor grounding at the back of the coach. So, now I know that there is 12 VDC at the gauge and that the wire from the sending unit to the gauge is not open. I guess it still could be a bad gauge or the sending unit, I just don't know. Do you know what happens if I remove the sending unit from the elbow? Will it drain the coolant? (The sending unit is mounted on the bottom of the elbow.) Harry
06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: James Spivey on November 01, 2006, 06:25:02 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26608 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26608)Harry you didn't ask me but I am pretty sure you will drain the unit. However, check seize and get a plug for temporary use.
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Harry Season on November 01, 2006, 07:13:49 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26609 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26609)Thanx, James, for the thoughts. Frankly, I am not willing to pull that sending unit if there is ANY chance that the coolant will leak out. I do not want to be in the position of possibly screwing up the reinstall, stripping the threads, whatever, that might lead to a leak in the coolant and resultant transmission damage. I'll just have to get the coach into a CC dealer to have this checked out and repaired properly and under their warranty.
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Ned Herrmann on November 01, 2006, 11:00:23 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26615 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26615)--Harry. If you still have the blister off the dash there is another way to check the gauge. With the sending unit wire unhook from the gauge, take a short jumper wire and ground the sending unit post. This, with the key on, should show max temp on the gauge. With the wire off the post, should show min temp. That could be reversed but I don't think so. With the sending unit out of the picture, the gauge should work under those conditions. I could send you my extra gauge to see if it works in your coach. Sorry that I forgot about the light wire. I'm not sure about your ohm reading and what it should read. I think you will loose tranny fluid if you remove the sending unit. If someone had to change the sending unit, and you had the new one there, you could make the change without much loss of fluid. Like James said, a plug would be nice to have nearby. Let me know if you want my gauge but that final check should point at the gauge. Ned Inspire 51677 - In Country-Coach- Owners@yahoogroups.com (Owners@yahoogroups.com), "Harry Season" wrote:
Quote
>
Ned: I was able to determine the following today: The tranny temp gauge has > four leads on it for the following: 1) Green for the ground; 2) Brown for > the gauge lamp; 3) Yellow for 12 VDC and 4) Red for the wire from the > sending unit. I was able to check the yellow wire and, only with the > ignition on, I have 12 VDC at that post on the back of the gauge. I then > disconnected the wire from the sending unit and grounded it to the chassis > (as best I could). I checked the continuity of the red sending unit wire on > the back of the gauge and it read ~77 ohms which may be due to the length of > the wire and/or my poor grounding at the back of the coach. So, now I know > that there is 12 VDC at the gauge and that the wire from the sending unit to > the gauge is not open. I guess it still could be a bad gauge or the sending > unit, I just don't know. > Do you know what happens if I remove the sending unit from the elbow? Will > it drain the coolant? (The sending unit is mounted on the bottom of the > elbow.)
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
_____ > From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > [mailto:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com)] On Behalf Of Ned Herrmann > Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:46 PM > To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop >
> Harry. That sounds like an issue with the gauge but one other check. Remove > the
leather blister behind the gauges. There are a couple screws on the top, > with caps,
and one under the dash on the left side of the stearing wheel. If you lay > under the
stearing wheel and look up, you will see a screw that goes through the > plywood of the
flat part of the dash and up into the blister. Once off, you can see the > back of the
gauges. There are 3 wires, one ground, one 12volt power and the other from > the
sending unit. Does it have 12volt to the gauge? Two things before going to > that
trouble, is when you turn on the key does the gauge move at all. If it does, > it probably
has power. Also, check the fues that powers the gauge. If you want to buy a > gauge, I
think it was only 15 bucks from CC. Have fun! Ned Inspire 51677--- In > Country-
Coach-Owners@ yahoogroups.com, "Harry Season" wrote: >
> Ned, > > >
> I got under the coach today and found the wire to the tranny temp sending > > unit. I disconnected the wire and checked my dash temp gauge - still read > > minimum. I then grounded the wire which was attached to the sending unit > > and still no movement of the dash gauge. I tried this test with the > > ignition both on and off and never saw any movement of the dash gauge. > Sounds like a bad dash gauge, which is somewhat disconcerting as I was > told
> by the Coach Care facility that they had replaced a faulty gauge and it > was
> Harry. If you crawl under your coach, and look at the tranny, on the front > > there are 2
> hoses that run towards the radiator. The one has wire with a small sending > > unit in the
> elbow. That is the trans temp sending unit. Because the unit measures > > electrical
> resistance, if you unhook it, the gauge should show zero or max and if you > > ground it
> the opposite. Usually grounding is max. That should tell you if it the > gauge
> works. If
> it does, then it is the sending unit. Let me know. Ned Inspire 51677--- In > > Country-
> Coach-Owners@
yahoogroups.com,
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Ned Herrmann on November 02, 2006, 07:25:56 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26625 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26625)Harry. Today I was at our coach doing somethings and I check a couple points on my tranny temp. The gauge, when grounding the sending unit wire, pegs the needle. But by checking this issue, I noted that my gauge does not zero with the wire unhooked or with it hooked up to the sending unit. It sits at about 170 for a low. I will order a new gauge and sending unit tomorrow. The extra gauge I have is an engine temp. Ned Inspire 51677 I
Quote from: Harry Season
> > Ned: I was able to determine the following today: The tranny temp gauge has > four leads on it for the following: 1) Green for the ground; 2) Brown for > the gauge lamp; 3) Yellow for 12 VDC and 4) Red for the wire from the > sending unit. I was able to check the yellow wire and, only with the > ignition on, I have 12 VDC at that post on the back of the gauge. I then > disconnected the wire from the sending unit and grounded it to the chassis > (as best I could). I checked the continuity of the red sending unit wire on > the back of the gauge and it read ~77 ohms which may be due to the length of > the wire and/or my poor grounding at the back of the coach. So, now I know > that there is 12 VDC at the gauge and that the wire from the sending unit to > the gauge is not open. I guess it still could be a bad gauge or the sending > unit, I just don't know. > Do you know what happens if I remove the sending unit from the elbow? Will > it drain the coolant? (The sending unit is mounted on the bottom of the > elbow.)
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
_____ > From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > [mailto:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com)] On Behalf Of Ned Herrmann > Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:46 PM > To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop >
> Harry. That sounds like an issue with the gauge but one other check. Remove > the
leather blister behind the gauges. There are a couple screws on the top, > with caps,
and one under the dash on the left side of the stearing wheel. If you lay > under the
stearing wheel and look up, you will see a screw that goes through the > plywood of the
flat part of the dash and up into the blister. Once off, you can see the > back of the
gauges. There are 3 wires, one ground, one 12volt power and the other from > the
sending unit. Does it have 12volt to the gauge? Two things before going to > that
trouble, is when you turn on the key does the gauge move at all. If it does, > it probably
has power. Also, check the fues that powers the gauge. If you want to buy a > gauge, I
think it was only 15 bucks from CC. Have fun! Ned Inspire 51677--- In > Country-
Coach-Owners@ yahoogroups.com, "Harry Season" wrote: >
> Ned, > > >
> I got under the coach today and found the wire to the tranny temp sending > > unit. I disconnected the wire and checked my dash temp gauge - still read > > minimum. I then grounded the wire which was attached to the sending unit > > and still no movement of the dash gauge. I tried this test with the > > ignition both on and off and never saw any movement of the dash gauge. > Sounds like a bad dash gauge, which is somewhat disconcerting as I was > told
> by the Coach Care facility that they had replaced a faulty gauge and it > was
r />] I noted that my gauge does not zero with the wire unhooked
Quote
or with it hooked up to the sending unit. It sits at about 170 for a
low. I will order a
Quote
new gauge and sending unit tomorrow. The extra gauge I have is an
engine temp.
Quote
Ned Inspire 51677
Ned, my gauge zeroes at 180 degrees. LazyDays has a new one on order.
Please let me know how it goes. Jay
05 Inspire daVinci 51457
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Harry Season on November 02, 2006, 09:47:54 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26631 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26631)Thanx so much, Ned, for your thoughts and ideas. Actually, my Inspire does not have the "leather blister". I can get on my back, scoot back under the steering wheel, and see the back of the gauge, albeit with lots of other wires (for the SmarTire) and vent tubing all in the way. I think it would be rather difficult to actually disconnect the sending unit wire from the back of the gauge - just pretty hard to get to. (Anyone know how the gauge comes out? Is there a "knob" on the top of the back of the gauge that one turns and then the gauge falls out rearward, towards the driver, of the dash? I ask because when I looked at the wiring schematics provided by CC, the picture of the back of the dash with the gauges in seems to indicate that there might be such a knob. If not, I have no idea how that gauge would come out.) But couldn't I disconnect the sending unit wire from the sending unit itself and leave it dangling and then go back to the back of the gauge and I think I could get a wire from the post with the sending unit wire and ground that and see what the gauge does? Seeing that Coach Care tells me that they have already replaced the gauge once, let's not send me yours, but thanx for the offer. If I can just get a definitive reading on the working order of the gauge I could eliminate it as a reason for my problem. I have a buddy who is itching for me to take the sending unit out and so far I have resisted for reasons stated below. Maybe I'll get that plug and get REAL brave...
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Ned Herrmann on November 02, 2006, 10:36:12 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26634 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26634)Jay Will let you know what I get, which will be at least the end of next week. Maybe it will zero at 170/180.-
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Ned Herrmann on November 02, 2006, 11:02:34 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26635 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26635)-Harry Yes, that will work if you unhook the sending unit wire and let it just hang. Then go to the back of the gauge and ground the sending post. Like I said, my gauge maxed out when I grounded the wire at the sending unit. I feel that changing your sending unit will not do anything if grounding the wire doesn't effect the gauge. If grounding the sender post on the back of gauge does not max it out, that points at the gauge. Doing it from the back of the instrument makes sure the wire from the sender is not an issue. My gauges have a " U " shaped bracket with holes that fit over studs on the back of the gauge. Nuts fit on them to hold the bracket. The knob your thinking of, could be the bulb holder for the gauge. I don't remember what or exactly the way it is set up. Sorry!
Ned Inspire 51677
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Harry Season on November 04, 2006, 03:05:12 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26672 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26672)Today I was able to ground the sending post to the ground post on the back of the tranny temp gauge and the gauge pegged to the right when the ignition was turned on! I think I've got a good gauge. However, I then tried to go to the sending unit, disconnect the sending unit wire and tried to ground it and never could get the gauge to peg again. Either I'm not getting a good ground or the wire is broken which I would think is highly unlikely. Question: In my chassis battery bay I see a bar mounted on the rear (toward the center of the coach) with a number of all green wires connected to different posts on the common bar. I am assuming that this is a common grounding bar for the coach. It is relatively close to where the sending unit wire is connected under the tranny. Would it make sense to try and ground my sending unit wire directly to this common grounding bar, rather than to some random point on the chassis which I tried (several nuts, screws, etc.) in vain today? I.e., go directly to what is clearly a chassis grounding point being used for many other grounding purposes. Harry 06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Ray G_01 on November 04, 2006, 03:29:30 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26675 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26675)Chassis grounding is not reliable due paint, rust, rubber washers, sealant, etc. Always use a known ground, and make a good connection iven the choice.
If in doubt, take your ohmeter, set to low ohms, and test ground to ground. Should get zero ohms. If not, bad ground.
Regards
Ray and Rue 05 Allure 31176
Quote from: Harry Season
>
Today I was able to ground the sending post to the ground post on
the back
Quote
of the tranny temp gauge and the gauge pegged to the right when the
ignition
Quote
was turned on! I think I've got a good gauge. However, I then
tried to go
Quote
to the sending unit, disconnect the sending unit wire and tried to
ground it
Quote
and never could get the gauge to peg again. Either I'm not getting
a good
Quote
ground or the wire is broken which I would think is highly unlikely. Question: In my chassis battery bay I see a bar mounted on the rear
(toward
Quote
the center of the coach) with a number of all green wires connected
to
Quote
different posts on the common bar. I am assuming that this is a
common
Quote
grounding bar for the coach. It is relatively close to where the
sending
Quote
unit wire is connected under the tranny. Would it make sense to
try and
Quote
ground my sending unit wire directly to this common grounding bar,
rather
Quote
than to some random point on the chassis which I tried (several
nuts,
Quote
screws, etc.) in vain today? I.e., go directly to what is clearly
a chassis
Quote
grounding point being used for many other grounding purposes.
Harry 06 Inspire 51933
_____ > From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > [mailto:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com)] On Behalf Of Ned
Herrmann
Quote
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 9:02 PM > To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp
Gauge Inop
Quote
>
-Harry Yes, that will work if you unhook the sending unit wire and
let it
Quote
just hang.
Then go to the back of the gauge and ground the sending post. Like
I said,
Quote
my gauge
maxed out when I grounded the wire at the sending unit. I feel that
changing
Quote
your
sending unit will not do anything if grounding the wire doesn't
effect the
Quote
gauge. If
grounding the sender post on the back of gauge does not max it out,
that
Quote
points at
the gauge. Doing it from the back of the instrument makes sure the
wire from
Quote
the
sender is not an issue. My gauges have a " U " shaped bracket with
holes
Quote
that fit over
studs on the back of the gauge. Nuts fit on them to hold the
bracket. The
Quote
knob your
thinking of, could be the bulb holder for the gauge. I don't
remember what
Quote
or exactly
the way it is set up. Sorry!
Ned Inspire 51677 -- In Country-Coach- >
Owners@yahoogroups.com (Owners@yahoogroups.com),
Quote
"Harry Season" wrote: >
> Thanx so much, Ned, for your thoughts and ideas. Actually, my
Inspire does
Quote
not have the "leather blister". I can get on my back, scoot back
under the
Quote
steering wheel, and see the back of the gauge, albeit with lots
of other
Quote
wires (for the SmarTire) and vent tubing all in the way. I think
it would
Quote
be rather difficult to actually disconnect the sending unit wire
from the
Quote
back of the gauge - just pretty hard to get to. (Anyone know how
the gauge
Quote
comes out? Is there a "knob" on the top of the back of the gauge
that one
Quote
turns and then the gauge falls out rearward, towards the driver,
of the
Quote
dash? I ask because when I looked at the wiring schematics
provided by CC,
Quote
the picture of the back of the dash with the gauges in seems to
indicate
Quote
that there might be such a knob. If not, I have no idea how that
gauge
Quote
would come out.) But couldn't I disconnect the sending unit wire
from the
Quote
sending unit itself and leave it dangling and then go back to the
back of
Quote
the gauge and I think I could get a wire from the post with the
sending
Quote
unit
> wire and ground that and see what the gauge does? Seeing that
Coach Care
Quote
tells me that they have already replaced the gauge once, let's
not send me
Quote
yours, but thanx for the offer. If I can just get a definitive
reading on
Quote
the working order of the gauge I could eliminate it as a reason
for my
Quote
problem. I have a buddy who is itching for me to take the sending
unit out
Quote
and so far I have resisted for reasons stated below. Maybe I'll
> > > > I picked up my Inspire at the end of June 06 and
immediately took it
Quote
to
> > > SilverLeaf in
> > > Albany, OR where I had that unit installed. Good thing as my
CC dash
Quote
> > transmission
> > > temp guage has never worked. When I got home to ABQ in early
July, I
Quote
took > > > the coach
> > > to the only CC-authorized place in ABQ, a Cummins Coach Care
facility.
Quote
> They
> > > diagnosed the problem as a bad gauge and ordered and
installed a new
Quote
one > > > several
> > > weeks later. Gauge still does not work (it never moves off of
the left
Quote
> side > > > lowest
> > > reading). The SL has been reading tranny temp within a few
degrees of
Quote
> engine > > > temp
> > > all of the time. > > > >
> > > > Any ideas on why the CC dash tranny gauge might not be
working? I
Quote
know > I
> > > can
> > > take it back to the Coach Care facility but I am leery of
doing that
Quote
(just > > > don't feel
> > > comfortable with them). > > > >
> > > > Harry
> > > > 06 Inspire 51933 > > > >
> > > > ---------
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Ned Herrmann on November 04, 2006, 04:43:50 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26678 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26678)Harry. Sure sounds like you have an issue with the sending unit wire. Gauge seems fine. Someone else wrote in, a while back, saying they had a continuity problem with their sending unit wire. Getting a ground at the area of the sending unit should not be that difficult. I stuck a wire in the sending unit clip and just placed the other end under a name plate. High teck. Pegged my gauge. You can ring that wire or run a short jumper to ground at the gauge and then check at the sending unit end, with the wire unhooked, if there is continuity to ground. No need of the key being on. That should confirm the open sending unit wire. Trouble shooting, fun huh. Ned 2006 Inspire 51677
Quote from: Harry Season"
> Today I was able to ground the sending post to the ground post on the back > of the tranny temp gauge and the gauge pegged to the right when the ignition > was turned on! I think I've got a good gauge. However, I then tried to go > to the sending unit, disconnect the sending unit wire and tried to ground it > and never could get the gauge to peg again. Either I'm not getting a good > ground or the wire is broken which I would think is highly unlikely. Question: In my chassis battery bay I see a bar mounted on the rear (toward > the center of the coach) with a number of all green wires connected to > different posts on the common bar. I am assuming that this is a common > grounding bar for the coach. It is relatively close to where the sending > unit wire is connected under the tranny. Would it make sense to try and > ground my sending unit wire directly to this common grounding bar, rather > than to some random point on the chassis which I tried (several nuts, > screws, etc.) in vain today? I.e., go directly to what is clearly a chassis > grounding point being used for many other grounding purposes.
Harry 06 Inspire 51933
_____ > From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > [mailto:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com)] On Behalf Of Ned Herrmann > Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 9:02 PM > To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop >
> -Harry Yes, that will work if you unhook the sending unit wire and let it > just hang.
Then go to the back of the gauge and ground the sending post. Like I said, > my gauge
maxed out when I grounded the wire at the sending unit. I feel that changing > your
sending unit will not do anything if grounding the wire doesn't effect the > gauge. If
grounding the sender post on the back of gauge does not max it out, that > points at
the gauge. Doing it from the back of the instrument makes sure the wire from > the
sender is not an issue. My gauges have a " U " shaped bracket with holes > that fit over
studs on the back of the gauge. Nuts fit on them to hold the bracket. The > knob your
thinking of, could be the bulb holder for the gauge. I don't remember what > or exactly
the way it is set up. Sorry!
Ned Inspire 51677 -- In Country-Coach- >
Owners@yahoogroups.com (Owners@yahoogroups.com),
Quote
"Harry Season" wrote: >
> Thanx so much, Ned, for your thoughts and ideas. Actually, my Inspire does > > not have the "leather blister". I can get on my back, scoot back under the > > steering wheel, and see the back of the gauge, albeit with lots of other > > wires (for the SmarTire) and vent tubing all in the way. I think it would > > be rather difficult to actually disconnect the sending unit wire from the > > back of the gauge - just pretty hard to get to. (Anyone know how the gauge > > comes out? Is there a "knob" on the top of the back of the gauge that one > > turns and then the gauge falls out rearward, towards the driver, of the > > dash? I ask because when I looked at the wiring schematics provided by CC, > > the picture of the back of the dash with the gauges in seems to indicate > > that there might be such a knob. If not, I have no idea how that gauge > > would come out.) But couldn't I disconnect the sending unit wire from the > > sending unit itself and leave it dangling and then go back to the back of > > the gauge and I think I could get a wire from the post with the sending > unit
> wire and ground that and see what the gauge does? Seeing that Coach Care > > tells me that they have already replaced the gauge once, let's not send me > > yours, but thanx for the offer. If I can just get a definitive reading on > > the working order of the gauge I could eliminate it as a reason for my > > problem. I have a buddy who is itching for me to take the sending unit out > > and so far I have resisted for reasons stated below. Maybe I'll get that > > plug and get REAL brave. > > >
> --Harry. If you still have the blister off the dash there is another way > to
> check the
> gauge. With the sending unit wire unhook from the gauge, take a short > jumper > wire
> and ground the sending unit post. This, with the key on, should show max > > temp on
> the gauge. With the wire off the post, should show min temp. That could be > > reversed
> but I don't think so. With the sending unit out of the picture, the gauge > > should work
> under those conditions. I could send you my extra gauge to see if it works > > in your
> coach. Sorry that I forgot about the light wire. I'm not sure about your > ohm
> reading
> and what it should read. I think you will loose tranny fluid if you remove > > the sending
> unit. If someone had to change the sending unit, and you had the new one > > there, you
> could make the change without much loss of fluid. Like James said, a plug > > would be
> nice to have nearby. Let me know if you want my gauge but that final check > > should
> point at the gauge. Ned Inspire 51677 - In Country-Coach- > > Owners@yahoogroups. com, "Harry > Season" > wrote: > >
> > Ned: I was able to determine the following today: The tranny temp gauge > > has
> > four leads on it for the following: 1) Green for the ground; 2) Brown > for
> > the gauge lamp; 3) Yellow for 12 VDC and 4) Red for the wire from the > > > sending unit. I was able to check the yellow wire and, only with the > > > ignition on, I have 12 VDC at that post on the back of the gauge. I then > > > disconnected the wire from the sending unit and grounded it to the > chassis
> > (as best I could). I checked the continuity of the red sending unit wire > > on
> > the back of the gauge and it read ~77 ohms which may be due to the > length > of
> > the wire and/or my poor grounding at the back of the coach. So, now I > know
> > that there is 12 VDC at the gauge and that the wire from the sending > unit > to
> > the gauge is not open. I guess it still could be a bad gauge or the > > sending
> > unit, I just don't know. > >
> > Do you know what happens if I remove the sending unit from the elbow? > Will
> > it drain the coolant? (The sending unit is mounted on the bottom of the > > > elbow.) > >
> > Harry > >
> > 06 Inspire 51933 > > > > > >
> > _____ > >
> > From: Country-Coach-
Owners%40yahoogroups.com>
Quote
Owners@yahoogroups. com > > > [mailto:Country-Coach-
Owners%40yahoogroups.com>
Quote
Owners@yahoogroups. com] On Behalf
Of
Title: Doing Your Own Service (Lubrication)
Post by: Harry Season on November 04, 2006, 04:58:04 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26680 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26680)As I do not have an authorized Country Coach dealer in ABQ, I was considering doing the coach chassis lubrication on my own. In review of the CC Owner's Guide provided with my coach, I find there are eight chassis grease fitting locations with a total of 25 actual fittings - doesn't seem too overwhelming. Wondering what some of you other owners' experiences have been with doing this job yourself. I would still plan on going to a CAT dealer for engine oil/filter changes and to a local Allison dealer for any tranny work, but I thought I might be able to handle this chassis lube part myself. Any thoughts, concerns would be appreciated.
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Harry Season on November 04, 2006, 05:31:21 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26685 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26685)Ned, yup, this troubleshooting is really fun. I, too, thought that I could easily ground my sending unit wire, but I'll be darned if I couldn't get my gauge to peg like it did when grounding right on the back of the gauge. I tried to make sure that I was getting a good ground by scratching my alligator clips (on my grounding wire) to parts of the chassis, including bolts, frame members, etc. What do you think of running my ground wire from the sending unit wire to that grounding panel in my chassis battery bay? Seems like I ought to be able to get an alligator clip to make good contact on one of the posts on that bar. This whole thing is becoming an obsession for me. Even dragged the Mrs down there today to watch the gauge while I was trying to make a good ground contact. She was real helpful when she said why don't you just take it to the dealer (in Denver !) J
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Ned Herrmann on November 04, 2006, 06:47:06 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26689 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26689)Harry. Tell your wife we can not take it to a dealer, that would be too easy. All I did was ground it on the tranny case. Clip it on one of the tranny pan bolts. Still think you got something going on with that wire. Hope there isn't something like an inline fuse in that line. Wonder how that wire runs?????? Do you have a diagram? Running a ground to that block seems really unnecessary to me. Should work with just touching the tranny. All that stuff is grounded. Good luck Ned
Quote from: Harry Season"
> Ned, yup, this troubleshooting is really fun. I, too, thought that I could > easily ground my sending unit wire, but I'll be darned if I couldn't get my > gauge to peg like it did when grounding right on the back of the gauge. I > tried to make sure that I was getting a good ground by scratching my > alligator clips (on my grounding wire) to parts of the chassis, including > bolts, frame members, etc. What do you think of running my ground wire from > the sending unit wire to that grounding panel in my chassis battery bay? > Seems like I ought to be able to get an alligator clip to make good contact > on one of the posts on that bar. This whole thing is becoming an obsession > for me. Even dragged the Mrs down there today to watch the gauge while I > was trying to make a good ground contact. She was real helpful when she > said why don't you just take it to the dealer (in Denver!) :-) >
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
_____ > From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > [mailto:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com)] On Behalf Of Ned Herrmann > Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 2:41 PM > To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) > Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop >
> Harry. Sure sounds like you have an issue with the sending unit wire. Gauge > seems
fine. Someone else wrote in, a while back, saying they had a continuity > problem with
their sending unit wire. Getting a ground at the area of the sending unit > should not
be that difficult. I stuck a wire in the sending unit clip and just placed > the other end
under a name plate. High teck. Pegged my gauge. You can ring that wire or > run a
short jumper to ground at the gauge and then check at the sending unit end, > with the
wire unhooked, if there is continuity to ground. No need of the key being > on. That
should confirm the open sending unit wire. Trouble shooting, fun huh. Ned 2006 Inspire 51677 --- In Country-Coach- > Owners@yahoogroups. com, "Harry
Season"
Quote
wrote: >
> Today I was able to ground the sending post to the ground post on the back > > of the tranny temp gauge and the gauge pegged to the right when the > ignition
> was turned on! I think I've got a good gauge. However, I then tried to go > > to the sending unit, disconnect the sending unit wire and tried to ground > it
> and never could get the gauge to peg again. Either I'm not getting a good > > ground or the wire is broken which I would think is highly unlikely. > Question: In my chassis battery bay I see a bar mounted on the rear > (toward
> the center of the coach) with a number of all green wires connected to > > different posts on the common bar. I am assuming that this is a common > > grounding bar for the coach. It is relatively close to where the sending > > unit wire is connected under the tranny. Would it make sense to try and > > ground my sending unit wire directly to this common grounding bar, rather > > than to some random point on the chassis which I tried (several nuts, > > screws, etc.) in vain today? I.e., go directly to what is clearly a > chassis
> grounding point being used for many other grounding purposes. >
> -Harry Yes, that will work if you unhook the sending unit wire and let it > > just hang.
> Then go to the back of the gauge and ground the sending post. Like I said, > > my gauge
> maxed out when I grounded the wire at the sending unit. I feel that > changing > your
> sending unit will not do anything if grounding the wire doesn't effect the > > gauge. If
> grounding the sender post on the back of gauge does not max it out, that > > points at
> the gauge. Doing it from the back of the instrument makes sure the wire > from > the
> sender is not an issue. My gauges have a " U " shaped bracket with holes > > that fit over
> studs on the back of the gauge. Nuts fit on them to hold the bracket. The > > knob your
> thinking of, could be the bulb holder for the gauge. I don't remember what > > or exactly
> the way it is set up. Sorry!
> Ned Inspire 51677 -- In Country-Coach- > >
Owners@yahoogroups. com, > "Harry Season" wrote: > >
> > Thanx so much, Ned, for your thoughts and ideas. Actually, my Inspire > does
> > not have the "leather blister". I can get on my back, scoot back under > the
> > steering wheel, and see the back of the gauge, albeit with lots of other > > > wires (for the SmarTire) and vent tubing all in the way. I think it > would
> > be rather difficult to actually disconnect the sending unit wire from > the
> > back of the gauge - just pretty hard to get to. (Anyone know how the > gauge
> > comes out? Is there a "knob" on the top of the back of the gauge that > one
> > turns and then the gauge falls out rearward, towards the driver, of the > > > dash? I ask because when I looked at the wiring schematics provided by > CC,
> > the picture of the back of the dash with the gauges in seems to indicate > > > that there might be such a knob. If not, I have no idea how that gauge > > > would come out.) But couldn't I disconnect the sending unit wire from > the
> > sending unit itself and leave it dangling and then go back to the back > of
> > the gauge and I think I could get a wire from the post with the sending > > unit
> > wire and ground that and see what the gauge does? Seeing that Coach Care > > > tells me that they have already replaced the gauge once, let's not send > me
> > yours, but thanx for the offer. If I can just get a definitive reading > on
> > the working order of the gauge I could eliminate it as a reason for my > > > problem. I have a buddy who is itching for me to take the sending unit > out
> > and so far I have resisted for reasons stated below. Maybe I'll get that > > > plug and get REAL brave. > > > > > >
> > Harry > >
> > 06 Inspire 51933 > > > > > >
> > _____ > >
> > From: Country-Coach-
Owners%40yahoogroups.com>
Quote
Owners@yahoogroups. com > > > [mailto:Country-Coach-
Owners%40yahoogroups.com>
Quote
Owners@yahoogroups. com] On Behalf
Of
Quote
Ned Herrmann
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 8:59 PM > > > To: Country-Coach- > Owners@yahoogroups. com
> > --Harry. If you still have the blister off the dash there is another way > > to
> > check the
> > gauge. With the sending unit wire unhook from the gauge, take a short > > jumper > > wire
> > and ground the sending unit post. This, with the key on, should show max > > > temp on
> > the gauge. With the wire off the post, should show min temp. That could > be
> > reversed
> > but I don't think so. With the sending unit out of the picture, the > gauge
> > should work
> > under those conditions. I could send you my extra gauge to see if it > works
> > in your
> > coach. Sorry that I forgot about the light wire. I'm not sure about your > > ohm
> > reading
> > and what it should read. I think you will loose tranny fluid if you > remove
> > the sending
> > unit. If someone had to change the sending unit, and you had the new one > > > there, you
> > could make the change without much loss of fluid. Like James said, a > plug
> > would be
> > nice to have nearby. Let me know if you want my gauge but that final > check
> > should
> > point at the gauge. Ned Inspire 51677 - In Country-Coach- > > > Owners@yahoogroups. com, "Harry > > Season" > > wrote: > > >
> > > Ned: I was able to determine the following today: The tranny temp > gauge > > has
> > > four leads on it for the following: 1) Green for the ground; 2) Brown > > for
> > > the gauge lamp; 3) Yellow for 12 VDC and 4) Red for the wire from the > > > > sending unit. I was able to check the yellow wire and, only with the > > > > ignition on, I have 12 VDC at that post on the back of the gauge. I > then
> > > disconnected the wire from the sending unit and grounded it to the > > chassis
> > > (as best I could). I checked the continuity of the red sending unit > wire > > on
> > > the back of the gauge and it read ~77 ohms which may be due to the > > length > > of
> > > the wire and/or my poor grounding at the back of the coach. So, now I > > know
> > > that there is 12 VDC at the gauge and that the wire from the sending > > unit > > to
> > > the gauge is not open. I guess it still could be a bad gauge or the > > > sending
> > > unit, I just don't know. > > >
> > > Do you know what happens if I remove the sending unit from the elbow? > > Will
> > > it drain the coolant? (The sending unit is mounted on the bottom of > the
> > > Harry. That sounds like an issue with the gauge but one other check. > > Remove > > > the
> > > leather blister behind the gauges. There are a couple screws on the > top,
> > > with caps,
> > > and one under the dash on the left side of the stearing wheel. If you > > lay
> > > under the
> > > stearing wheel and look up, you will see a screw that goes through the > > > > plywood of the
> > > flat part of the dash and up into the blister. Once off, you can see > the
> > > back of the
> > > gauges. There are 3 wires, one ground, one 12volt power and the other > > from > > > the
> > > sending unit. Does it have 12volt to the gauge? Two things before > going > to
> > > that
> > > trouble, is when you turn on the key does the gauge move at all. If it > > > does,
> > > it probably
> > > has power. Also, check the fues that powers the gauge. If you want to > > buy > > a
> > > gauge, I
> > > think it was only 15 bucks from CC. Have fun! Ned Inspire 51677--- In > > > > Country-
> > > Coach-Owners@ > yahoogroups.com,
> > > "Harry Season" wrote: > > > >
> > > > Ned, > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > I got under the coach today and found the wire to the tranny temp > > > sending
> > > > unit. I disconnected the wire and checked my dash temp gauge - still > > > read
> > > > minimum. I then grounded the wire which was attached to the sending > > unit
> > > > and still no movement of the dash gauge. I tried this test with the > > > > > ignition both on and off and never saw any movement of the dash > gauge.
> > > > Sounds like a bad dash gauge, which is somewhat disconcerting as I > was
> > > told
> > > > by the Coach Care facility that they had replaced a faulty gauge and > > it
> > > > > I picked up my Inspire at the end of June 06 and immediately took > it > > to
> > > > SilverLeaf in
> > > > Albany, OR where I had that unit installed. Good thing as my CC dash > > > > > transmission
> > > > temp guage has never worked. When I got home to ABQ in early July, I > > > took
> > > > the coach
> > > > to the only CC-authorized place in ABQ, a Cummins Coach Care > facility. > > > They
> > > > diagnosed the problem as a bad gauge and ordered and installed a new > > one
> > > > several
> > > > weeks later. Gauge still does not work (it never moves off of the > left
> > > side > > > > lowest
> > > > reading). The SL has been reading tranny temp within a few degrees > of
> > > engine > > > > temp
> > > > all of the time. > > > > >
> > > > > Any ideas on why the CC dash tranny gauge might not be working? I > > know > > I
> > > > can
> > > > take it back to the Coach Care facility but I am leery of doing that > > > (just
> > > > don't feel
> > > > comfortable with them). > > > > >
> > > > > Harry
> > > > > 06 Inspire 51933 > > > > >
> > > > > ---------
Title: Re: Doing Your Own Service (Lubrication)
Post by: David Tuttle on November 04, 2006, 07:45:06 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26694 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26694)DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT grease the upper and lower pivots on the IFS. Or you will be replacing "o" rings
ddtuttle
(aka Billy Byte, trusty hound) 2000 Allure #30443
Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business (http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com)
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: David Tuttle on November 04, 2006, 07:53:30 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26695 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26695)As a point of reference, I have found two broken wires between the dash area and the right hand wheel compartment. They were 'cut' by a screw.
ddtuttle
(aka Billy Byte, trusty hound) 2000 Allure #30443
Title: Re: Doing Your Own Service (Lubrication)
Post by: James Spivey on November 04, 2006, 08:07:31 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26696 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26696)Get a good grease gun. Go for it you will probably do a better job. Make sure you know how to use the tool, clean the fittings, and wipe away the excess.
Title: Re: 06 Inspire Dash Tranny Temp Gauge Inop
Post by: Harry Season on November 04, 2006, 08:37:20 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26697 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26697)Ned, that was what I said - too easy to go to the dealer. She said that's just like you won't stop for directions either! Women! I did try several attempts to ground to a tranny bolt and nada. I also looked pretty thoroughly at the electrical schematics that CC provided and they really don't show where that wire runs from the sending unit to the gauge - I assume some bundle in the chassis towards the front. I also didn't see anything regarding a fuse that might be in line and I can't think of a reason why they would want to do that anyway. I'm going to make a male blade to fit into the sending unit connector and maybe get a long wire and run it up to the back of the gauge to the grounding post and see what happens. Harry
06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: Doing Your Own Service (Lubrication)
Post by: Harry Season on November 04, 2006, 09:20:38 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26701 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26701)Roger that, Dave. The CC Owner's Guide, Chassis Lubrication, specifically says (wrt "IFS knuckle post assembly"): "Not required for the life of the coach. Apply grease only after knuckle maintenance or replacing components." Harry
06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: Doing Your Own Service (Lubrication)
Post by: Ray G_01 on November 05, 2006, 12:18:46 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26714 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26714)There are several PDF files in the "Files" section of this board that cover the IFS "do not grease" zerk. Some pictures as well, if interested.
Regards
Ray and Rue 05 Allure 31176
Title: Well, Enough of this Trobleshooting
Post by: Harry Season on November 05, 2006, 02:28:56 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26716 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26716)I was trying to further my troubleshooting of the inop tranny temp gauge and managed to blow the 7.5 amp dash instrument fuse. Now that got my attention! The good news was I got to find out where the fuse panel was. The bad news was I inadvertently pulled out the wrong fuse to find out it was good which drove me crazy. After revisiting the fuse box and finally pulling the correct fuse I found it was blown. Of course I had no new fuses so off to an RV dealership I went and got some new (and extra) fuses. Replaced the blown fuse and all is well on my dash again, except that inop tranny gauge. I give up. I'm calling CC to see if they will authorize me to take the coach to SOB dealership here in ABQ to get this fixed. Hopefully they'll let me do that.
Harry
06 Inspire 51933
Title: Re: Doing Your Own Service (Lubrication)
Post by: TWI on November 06, 2006, 12:39:41 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26741 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26741)You could go to the Cummins service center in ALBQ. they are a coach care center. They worked on my Allure a couple of times and did a nice job. TWI 98 Allure 30255 now Intrigue 11731
Title: Re: Doing Your Own Service (Lubrication)
Post by: Jurhee on November 06, 2006, 01:05:48 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26743 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26743)I was at Cummins ABQ several years ago with my SOB lemon. I was pleased with their service.
Jurhee
2003 Allure for sale
(http://) PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD THIS without removing my email address.
Title: Re: Doing Your Own Service (Lubrication)
Post by: Harry Season on November 06, 2006, 01:47:12 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 26748 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/26748)Yes, I could. However, my two previous visits to this shop were not particularly satisfying. But I appreciate the input and maybe I'll give them another chance. Harry