Class examines work truck issues

April 25, 2015
Luban’s class took a deep dive into the problems that exist with medium to heavy duty trucks equipped with Allison 1000/2000 and Aisin six-speed transmissions.

Independent repair shop technicians that do medium and heavy duty truck repairs found their niche at “The Medium Duty Truck Workshop” presented Friday afternoon at Automechanika Chicago. The workshop is scheduled to be repeated at 2 p.m. Saturday.

A wide variety of information ranging from mechanical to electrical repairs for medium and heavy duty trucks was presented by Peter Luban.

Luban’s class took a deep dive into the problems that exist with medium to heavy duty trucks equipped with Allison 1000/2000 and Aisin six-speed transmissions. Allison introduced for the 1000/2000 Series transmission a feature known as “RELS” which in the past was reserved for bus and heavy truck applications, he said. One of the most confusing issues for Allison 1000/2000 transmissions is the subject of gear ratios.

Luban also covered electrical diagnosis troubleshooting for Generation 4 operating systems, as well as a rundown on indirect problems that can affect the transmission.

He provided an introduction to the fifth generation electronic controls for Allision. The first part he referred to as the generation gap. He explained and showed a comparison between all the generations since generation one and how they have evolved into more sophisticated controls. For example, for the 2013 model year Allison introduced the fifth generation electronic control system, which is substantially different from fourth generation controls.

He also presented information on the tilt cab trucks, such as Isuzus and Mitsubishis, for example, and on Hinos with anti lock brakes. He explained that certain brake brands can cause some issues that affect the transmission.

Luban also offered up information on the 3000 and 4000 series trucks, which are made by a variety of manufacturers, including Freightliner, Kenworth, International and GMC.

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About the Author

Bruce Adams

Bruce Adams is managing editor of Aftermarket Business World magazine and content manager for the distribution channel at UBM Advanstar. He has been an editor with UBM Advanstar Automotive Group since 2007 and formerly was managing editor of ABRN, the collision repair magazine. Bruce is a veteran journalist and communications professional who worked 10 years in corporate communications and publications at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He also worked as a senior editor at Babcox Publications and as a reporter and columnist for a daily newspaper in Northeast Ohio. He also is a former senior editor of Hotel & Motel Management Magazine. 

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