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Re: 2000 Allure

Reply #26 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87308
Randy,

About 6 years ago I replaced the old Pacbrake on my '98 Allure also. The old one was rusted solid in the open position due to lack of use and/or lack of lubrication. Have you lubed regularly with the synthetic lube that they recommend? Ordinary lubes will not work. They vaporize in that hot environment.
Have you contacted the engineers at Pacbrake for troubleshooting hints? I found that the company was very cooperative when I discussed my installation with them.
Is your coach a '96 or '98?

Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure, 30226

Re: 2000 Allure

Reply #27 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87310
John

I don't know if your Allure has a Cat or Cummings engine, but I can explain how CAT functionality works.
My '06 Inspire has a CAT C9, and the engine parameters have two options for how the cruise control & engine brake interact - coast & latch modes. My coach came from the factory programmed for Coast mode. If the cruise control was on, the engine brake did not operate. If I encountered a downhill grade, or needed to stop the coach, I had to turn off the cruise control - a real pain. I had my mode changed to Latch Mode. In Latch mode the cruise and engine brake work together in what I think is a more rational way.
In Latch mode, I drive with the engine brake engaged while driving with the cruise on. If the driver engages the service brake, the engine brake is immediately engaged. This addresses the need to stop the coach when driving with the cruise control on. Additionally, there is a parameter called "Auto Retarder in Cruise" - this parameter defines the number of mph above the set cruise speed at which the retarder will automatically engage. In the case of my engine, this parm defaults to 5 mph.
So if I am driving at 60 mph with the cruise on (my normal driving approach), I can touch the brake pedal at any time and the engine brake engages automatically. If I encounter a downhill grade, the engine brake automatically engages when the coach speed reaches 65 mph. In either case, hitting the resume button engages my previously set cruise speed. If I see warnings for a steep downhill grade, I actually reduce my cruise control set speed using the resume button on the smart wheel to reduce my speed and engage the engine brake earlier.
I have found this to be a much more intuitive approach, and I think the auto engage feature enhances safety by engaging the engine brake quicker in a "need to stop" situation.
I assume that Cummings has a similar parameter functionality - maybe a Cummings owner can chime in on that.
For CAT owners, there is an excellent publication, "Programming CAT Electronic Truck Engine", Publication # LEXT0023-02. It is 256 pages of detailed explanations of the parameters that operate your CAT engine - very useful!

Phil Webb, '06 Inspire #51836

Re: 2000 Allure

Reply #28 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87312
Thank you Daron,
The Pacbrake is two years old. I will try the synthetic lube. The company was very cooperative and I have ck the wires and replaced the solenoid.
Thanks,
Randy

Re: 2000 Allure

Reply #30 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87317
As I remember you are supposed to lube the chassis and accessories every 5000 miles or twice a year according to the manual! With the new Synthetic lubricants and as I normally travel about 7,000 miles and have a Jake break now I only lube the chassis once a year. But on years when I push 10- to 15,000 miles its back to twice a year, hint hint. TWI 2004 intrigue 11731

Re: 2000 Allure

Reply #31 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87324
John,

On my 2005 Allure the exhaust brake works with the cruise control, but it does not activate until 5mph over my cruise control speed. To keep below the cruise setting on downhills I need to turn the cruise control off. Turning the cruse control back on, after the downhill, and hitting resume returns me to my original cruise speed.
Jim Harkins
2005 Allure

Re: 2000 Allure

Reply #32 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87325
If I am going down a 5%+ grade I need to slow down to about 58 so 4th gear will hold the grade. If I am above that speed and it shifts to 5th the engine brake won't hold. If I am just driving normal free ways with average grades I set the control between 65 and 66 if I am in a hurry and I'll top out about 72. If I am driving normally at 62; then, 68 is about the max. If I stay a 62 then by tapping the brakes or punching the cancel button the coach will normally just slip in to 4th as I ease over onto the down grade, If I am traveling faster then I have to apply the binders, which defeats the idea of using the engine brake to me. Because we travel a lot out West in the mountains my transmission is set to seek 2nd gear, which really comes in handy in the mountains of Colorado, Nevada and the Sierras and Cascades in Cal. and Ore. TWI 2005 Intrigue 11731 ISL

Re: 2000 Allure

Reply #33 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87340
Randy,

I do not know if you read my issues with my engine brake? Although on a newer engine (2008 ISL 425) I bet the fundamentals are the same. I tried everything, changing switches, relays, wiring; the engine brake operation relies on a signal from the throttle sensor that the pedal is in idle. This sensor in my case is a simple plug and play plastic box just behind the actual foot pedal, in my case it has a six wire connector block. I replaced this and my intermittent failure was resolved. I had the factory check the old sensor and the "idle switch" was shot causing intermittent non operation of the engine brake.
In my case after loads of techys looking at it I bought the sensor (a Williams unit) and fitted it myself, just 2 screws! Look closely and you will see the product code, let me know what it is in case it is the same as mine as a certain element of confusion can arise. By the way these are a service item apparently!

Michael

2008 Allure 31683
 

Re: 2000 Allure

Reply #34 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87342
most likely the logic is not seeing 0 throttle. This is usually caused by the gas pedal not coming all the way back to idle position. May need adjustment, or it may just be some debris under it to prevent it from coming all the way back.

Mikee