Stuck in limp mode

[ewo1]

Check your tranny fluid, bright red, dark red or brown ????

[SkullGirl]

Ok...if I have to replace the transmission which one would be best for traveling? Could it possibly be the trans filter?

[SkullGirl]

Originally Posted by nikitis

If there is no check trans light then maybe the bulb for the light is blown in the gauge cluster. I'd replace it and try again.

If still no light it's weird cause the 545 is all mechanical but the engine should be able to tell something is wrong.

I would suspect an ECU issue but your getting 111 which means all is well. So it could be that it's too dumb to know since the trans is mechanical , or the sensor that detects it is bad and not reporting it. Or it's reporting but gauge cluster bulb for the trans light is burned out and it can't tell you. But it's looking more like the trans bought the farm. 545 isn't a good transmission.your bus is new enough you have some better transmission upgrade options.

What option would be best...I do a lot of traveling across the States

[SkullGirl]

Originally Posted by ewo1

Check your tranny fluid, bright red, dark red or brown ????

fluid is Brown

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by SkullGirl

fluid is Brown

How many miles since your last tranny service ???

If the ATF is dark in color, and it does smell burned then it is at the end of it's life cycle. This is a REAL problem with Navistar units after 1989 with the new "two bug" radiators. The ATF is cooled by a heat-exchanger in the radiator, and these new radiators are just not up to the task.

The service interval on an AT 545 is 25,000 miles or annually. You remove the external filter, drain the pan, fill the pan (16 qts) pump it dry, install new external filter, and re-fill pan.

[SkullGirl]

Originally Posted by ewo1

How many miles since your last tranny service ???

If the ATF is dark in color, and it does smell burned then it is at the end of it's life cycle. This is a REAL problem with Navistar units after 1989 with the new "two bug" radiators. The ATF is cooled by a heat-exchanger in the radiator, and these new radiators are just not up to the task.

The service interval on an AT 545 is 25,000 miles or annually. You remove the external filter, drain the pan, fill the pan (16 qts) pump it dry, install new external filter, and re-fill pan.

We have only driven it less than 2000 miles in the last year. Haven't had it serviced. Don't know when it was serviced

[BamaBus]

Originally Posted by SkullGirl

What option would be best...I do a lot of traveling across the States

First, Rad>>Radiator. Tranny>>Transmission (nothing more).

IF it is the tranny, options are a known good 545, which would be a swap. An Allison 2000 would be possible for your year 2000 bus but would be more involved. You would also need a TCM and wiring harness.

If you continue on you risk breaking down at any time and location.

All choices would be affected by your location and availability of parts. But mostly, the decision would be based on the depth of your pockets.

What is the story of your bus and any conversion?

[SkullGirl]

We have had her for a little over a year. Have only put about 2000 miles on her. When we got her she had the seats out and that is it. We have added a full kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living room. Added tanks and storage underneath. Still a work in progress. We are gig workers who normally travel to different venues all across the US and sell our merchandise. But this year has been really slow on the shows...plus I had some major health issues.

[Omnibot2000]

Originally Posted by BamaBus

First, Rad>>Radiator. Tranny>>Transmission (nothing more).

IF it is the tranny, options are a known good 545, which would be a swap. An Allison 2000 would be possible for your year 2000 bus but would be more involved. You would also need a TCM and wiring harness.

If you continue on you risk breaking down at any time and location.

All choices would be affected by your location and availability of parts. But mostly, the decision would be based on the depth of your pockets.

What is the story of your bus and any conversion?

Another option is to stick it and learn to drive standard. Pretty involved and looking for a donor.

[SkullGirl]

Originally Posted by Omnibot2000

Another option is to stick it and learn to drive standard. Pretty involved and looking for a donor.

Driving a stick wouldn't be a problem....can drive most things on the road. Just havn’t had much experience working on diesels.

[SkullGirl]

We started out today was able to get up to 50mph on a straightaway... but Loss speed going up any kind of incline (35mph) We pulled over to air up a tire ... got back on the road and the oil pressure dropped to 26psi couldn't get over 15mph. Pulled back over let it rest...oil pressure returned to 50psi...but still couldn't go over 15 mph.
We have ordered the internal transmission filter and it should be here on Wednesday.

[nikitis]

Keep in mind a 545 won't go 50 mph up a hill. It will drop. If this is happening on straight roads then there's certainly an issue, but to be expected on hills.

[SkullGirl]

Up until the air compressor went out...I was able to do 60 on straightaways. And it would drop to 55 on the inclines I am talking about very slight inclines...like on ramps.

[ewo1]

You keep driving that bus with brown trans fluid your gonna for sure cause more damage to the tranny. Stop trying to do top speed until you at least change the fluid…if it ain’t too late that is…

Brown fluid is worn out trans fluid on its real short way of turning darker and destroying your trans internals.

At545’s are weak and dont like heat !

[Omnibot2000]

Originally Posted by ewo1

You keep driving that bus with brown trans fluid your gonna for sure cause more damage to the tranny. Stop trying to do top speed until you at least change the fluid…if it ain’t too late that is…

Brown fluid is worn out trans fluid on its real short way of turning darker and destroying your trans internals.

At545’s are weak and dont like heat !

Yup....also cut open the old trans. Filter and look for metal and clutches.

Just worked on a dodge yesterday. Shift fine for me but the operator said it was shifting poor. When I checked the oil on the dipstick it did not look good. Purchased oil and filter for a Trans. service. Dropped the oil and filter. Cut open the filter and found aluminum, steel and a hint of brass/copper in the filter. Did not waste the oil and filter on the transmission in the state it was in. We'll rebuild it first and use the $200 of product after rebuild. Had purchased 8 liters of oil at $20 a liter plus filter.

Drop the filter. Cut it open, inspect. If it's loaded with junk. You need a rebuild.

[Rock-N-Ruth]

Originally Posted by SkullGirl

Up until the air compressor went out...I was able to do 60 on straightaways. And it would drop to 55 on the inclines I am talking about very slight inclines...like on ramps.

I know the compressor issue you had seems to be related to your current issue, and it may be, only if when it failed, you continued to try to drive with your service brake on and overheated your transmission.


Brown transmission fluid, and revving to 2800 rpms but not getting up to speed are indicators that you have transmission problems. If the brown fluid smells burnt, they may be end of life problems.


Change the fluid and filters. Remove the transmission pan and inspect it for metal and clutch material.



If your transmission has gone up in smoke, for any reason, you may find it less expensive to replace the bus than the transmission.


That really depends on your resources and skills. It sounds like you skills might not be on the transmission swap level, which would mean hiring someone to do it.



A used AT545 on ebay will run around a grand with shipping. Labor could run another 1500 to 2500, depending on who does the work.


You can get a refurbished unit for between 2500 and 5000.


I think if I were in your shoes I would get on public surplus and find another bus nearby.



If you wanted to go as far as New Mexico, We have a 2000 T444E with Alison 2000 or MD 3060 transmission, FREE bus included for $2000. There is really nothing wrong with the bus other than the windshields have been smashed out along with a number of windows. Seats are out. We currently use it to compact our runways on freedomfieldnewmecico.com and for tool storage.



Nobody is bidding on this one in UT: https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=3608581


You might find it cost effective to run for a bus you can get for a couple thousand and drive it back to where your current bus is then swap your interior and sell the broken bus for parts.


Perhaps advertise it as a DT466 with free bus.


A lot of folks get into bus life because they are under the impression that it is an inexpensive way to house themselves, with the added benefit of being mobile.


The reality is that even if you are a very handy mechanic with your own tools and workspace bus parts are often quite expensive. This is why we have four busses. When we see a deal we buy spares.


We got our last four busses in Phoenix. All from public surplus.

[Mekanic]

Originally Posted by SkullGirl

Got the codes With flash codes
134 APS signal and IVS disagree
…….

236 ECL switch circuit fault

…..

This is the code that I noticed. Maybe your compressors guys got rough withe plug on that sensor/ or the wires going to it.

[sportyrick]

The mechanics put an air compressor in and you drove it home?????? Or did they do it at your place and never test drove it????? It shouldn't have moved if the problem was from a compressor change and that created the problem. Call them and tell them you haven't been able to drive bus at best speed since compressor change.

[kromboy]

Oh are you guys hipcamp hosts? That's awesome!

I'll have to stop by when I'm in the area.

Originally Posted by Rock-N-Ruth

I know the compressor issue you had seems to be related to your current issue, and it may be, only if when it failed, you continued to try to drive with your service brake on and overheated your transmission.


Brown transmission fluid, and revving to 2800 rpms but not getting up to speed are indicators that you have transmission problems. If the brown fluid smells burnt, they may be end of life problems.


Change the fluid and filters. Remove the transmission pan and inspect it for metal and clutch material.



If your transmission has gone up in smoke, for any reason, you may find it less expensive to replace the bus than the transmission.


That really depends on your resources and skills. It sounds like you skills might not be on the transmission swap level, which would mean hiring someone to do it.



A used AT545 on ebay will run around a grand with shipping. Labor could run another 1500 to 2500, depending on who does the work.


You can get a refurbished unit for between 2500 and 5000.


I think if I were in your shoes I would get on public surplus and find another bus nearby.



If you wanted to go as far as New Mexico, We have a 2000 T444E with Alison 2000 or MD 3060 transmission, FREE bus included for $2000. There is really nothing wrong with the bus other than the windshields have been smashed out along with a number of windows. Seats are out. We currently use it to compact our runways on freedomfieldnewmecico.com and for tool storage.



Nobody is bidding on this one in UT: https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=3608581


You might find it cost effective to run for a bus you can get for a couple thousand and drive it back to where your current bus is then swap your interior and sell the broken bus for parts.


Perhaps advertise it as a DT466 with free bus.


A lot of folks get into bus life because they are under the impression that it is an inexpensive way to house themselves, with the added benefit of being mobile.


The reality is that even if you are a very handy mechanic with your own tools and workspace bus parts are often quite expensive. This is why we have four busses. When we see a deal we buy spares.


We got our last four busses in Phoenix. All from public surplus.

[Rock-N-Ruth]

Originally Posted by kromboy

Oh are you guys hipcamp hosts? That's awesome!

I'll have to stop by when I'm in the area.

Yes we are Hipcamp hosts. We also host boondocking and building: https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/b...ico-34881.html


We are a private off grid airport for ultralight and Light sport pilots as well.


Contact information at:http://freedomfieldnewmexico.com


Glad to have you.