BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: David Sacks on September 02, 2018, 08:06:18 PM
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I cannot locate the transmission fluid dipstick in my 2008 Patriot Thunder Brandywine.
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David,
The preferred method of checking the trans fluid is by using your shifter key pad. However, if you are set on using a mechanical dip stick, on many Monaco built coaches, you have to lift the access cover in the bedroom floor to access the short dipstick in the top of the transmission because Monaco did not install a long version that was accessible from the rear.
Gerald
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On my 06 Patriot Thunder the stick was under the closet floor and about 4 ft in front of the access door. You could not reach if from the closet, had to get it out from underneath. I replaced that mess with the standard 1ft Allison version, still have to get under to do it, but it confirms the shift pad reading.
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Gerald can most likely explain this better than I but using the shift key pad you push top two buttons simultaneously , I believe it has to be when the transmission is up to temperature, and it will give you data on transmission fluid life and its current level.
After 21 years with a Beaver coach and getting a new Entegra I was finally shown this by the Spartan Technician. I have read a lot of manuals but somehow this either never was shown or I did not relate to it.
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Thanks for the responses. I did check using the pad, it shows 5 quarts low. My mechanic felt this could not possibly be the case. He said if a transmission holding 16 quarts was 5 quarts low it could not develop enough pressure to move. Fluids were changed within the year, I have noticed no leaks and the shifting appears as intended. I have it with a diesel mechanic now and hope to have a resolution.
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David, once you stopped on level ground, placed in "N", applied the parking brake did you let the engine idle a bit? The first time I checked mine once I placed the parking brake I pressed both arrows and received "oL - 5." My reaction was the same as yours. I waited 30-seconds or so, still idling and rechecked. Received a "oL - OK" message.
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David,
Your transmission does not hold 16 quarts. It hold 38 to 45 quarts depending on whether you have a 2 inch or 4 inch sump depth. However, since you do not get all of the oil out when you just drain it, a drain and refill will take 30 or 37 quarts depending on sump depth.
Gerald
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It's under the bathroom pull out near the closet.
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Mine counts down before giving a reading trans at , run temp in n running , push up and down arrow
It will start out with ( and I’m trying to remember ) ol 5 repeatedly then ol4 ol 3 ol 2 ol 1then I get the reading Ol- ok or plus or minus quarts. By chance are you not letting it count down and seeing the countdown number as a low number?