Recent Posts

31

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Nicholas Soldevere on February 23, 2026, 02:52:01 PM »

I can’t be absolutely certain since you have a different engine than ours;  but with the bedroom/wardrobe floor hatches open and me facing the rear of the coach, the Jacob’s brand exhaust brake is in the manifold, to my right on top of our CAT C9 engine.  It’s relatively easy to access.  There are several points that one should use the lube bottle on:

https://pacbrake.com/mm5/pdfs/L6111.pdf

There’s also a video on YouTube -      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wX98sHBpU

Admittedly, having been sidelined long and with poor memory I’m only postulating here, but you can have, engine running, a helper activate the dash switch while through the hatch you observe the unit’s action to see if it’s working as it should (watch where you put your fingers).  An engine speed beyond idle may be necessary.  There should be a solenoid nearby that routes air to the unit;  to test air and mechanicals you may be able to apply an external 12v to it as an alternative to a helper in the drivers seat.  I’m not sure what your reference to a two stage brake is regarding, as our switch is simply either on or off.  Others here with more recent experience may provide enlightenment.

As for your complaint of “intermittent“ operation, keep in mind that cruise control disengages if the exhaust brake activates, like it does if you depress the brake pedal.  The exhaust brake quits if the fuel pedal is depressed or if engine speed is too low.  A complete checkup would see that both the electrical and air sides of the pacbrake system are functional, as well as the mechanical lubrication side.

Joel

Hi Joel and thanks, I'm right there with you on the memory thing. The rigors of an older brain apparently. Mine has the Cummins ISL 400. My switch on the side console is a 3 position switch, center- off, fwd and back. As far as intermittency goes, the po had it wired to the brake light relay in the fwd electrical bay with a computer power cord with the ends cut off. It kind of worked sometimes. I just find it amazing the work around folks will go through to disable a perfectly good system, and do it with parts taken from a garbage can.

Im making a plan to follow yours and others advice and get in there to lube it and put it on a regular maintence schedule if I can remember. 

32

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Joel Ashley on February 23, 2026, 08:33:06 AM »

I can’t be absolutely certain since you have a different engine than ours;  but with the bedroom/wardrobe floor hatches open and me facing the rear of the coach, the Jacob’s brand exhaust brake is in the manifold, to my right on top of our CAT C9 engine.  It’s relatively easy to access.  There are several points that one should use the lube bottle on:

https://pacbrake.com/mm5/pdfs/L6111.pdf

There’s also a video on YouTube -      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wX98sHBpU

Admittedly, having been sidelined long and with poor memory I’m only postulating here, but you can have, engine running, a helper activate the dash switch while through the hatch you observe the unit’s action to see if it’s working as it should (watch where you put your fingers).  An engine speed beyond idle may be necessary.  There should be a solenoid nearby that routes air to the unit;  to test air and mechanicals you may be able to apply an external 12v to it as an alternative to a helper in the drivers seat.  I’m not sure what your reference to a two stage brake is regarding, as our switch is simply either on or off.  Others here with more recent experience may provide enlightenment.

As for your complaint of “intermittent“ operation, keep in mind that cruise control disengages if the exhaust brake activates, like it does if you depress the brake pedal.  The exhaust brake quits if the fuel pedal is depressed or if engine speed is too low.  A complete checkup would see that both the electrical and air sides of the pacbrake system are functional, as well as the mechanical lubrication side.

Joel

33

Technical Support / Re: Main Slide-Out Flooring Repair

« Last post by Carl Boger on February 22, 2026, 11:24:38 PM »

Frank,

A picture of the damaged area would help.  Is it just cosmetic or is it a soft weak spot?  Is it just in the bottom of the slide or does it go to the floor on the inside.  Really need more info to help you properly.

34

Technical Support / Re: Main Slide-Out Flooring Repair

« Last post by Frank Bergamo on February 22, 2026, 10:26:00 PM »

Talin RV has a product called Guardian Plates. https://talinrv.com/guardian-plates/
Good luck!

35

Technical Support / Main Slide-Out Flooring Repair

« Last post by Jack W Hannah on February 22, 2026, 09:00:53 PM »

Just discovered a damaged/missing area on the underside covering of my '02 Patriot about the size  of a standare piece of paper.

Any suggestions on how to repair including materials and possible sources for materials would be welcomed.

Thank you.

36

Technical Support / Re: Fuel Quantity Issue

« Last post by Nicholas Soldevere on February 22, 2026, 07:23:05 PM »

Update- I followed troubleshooting procedure and verified tank sender output at the indicator, all checks good, leaving only the indicator to be at fault. I ordered and have the indicator but have not installed it.

37

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Nicholas Soldevere on February 22, 2026, 01:53:52 PM »

A so-called “Jake brake” is commonly, as others here have described, built into the engine itself on the larger on-highway engines.  It’s often referred to as an “engine brake” or “compression brake”.  Yours, Nicholas, being a 400 implies to me that you have the “exhaust brake” type known commonly as a “Pacbrake” externally mounted to the exhaust manifold of smaller engines.  If like on my CAT 400, that unit, though generically a “PAC”, is actually made by Jacobs Vehicle Systems, not necessarily by the original manufacturing company (* see link) making for some confusion.  I believe Jacob’s Vehicle Systems was bought not long ago by Cummins.  It’s best to discern external exhaust brake, like Pacbrake by either that mfr or JVS, from internal engine compression brake, like Jake brake.

The butterfly type valve that comprises a Pacbrake can corrode with non-use and freeze up, so the mechanism won’t close it upon switch activation.  Owners often are unaware that regular lubrication is necessary to prevent that.  A lubricant designed for that application is available at many outlets;  follow directions and check for online videos for proper use:

https://pacbrake.com/superlube-exhaust-brake-lubricant.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqUSxfm7GhjIW8FzRVxXg6G_fVir9eJiqn_bGMV8s6gd_XpBOIk

* https://79cd0798.flowpaper.com/brakescatalogueweb/#page=1

Joel

Thankyou Joel, so if I peer down into the engine bay from the bedroom access hatch, I should find the Pacbrake mounted to the exhaust manifold, or would it be better access from underneath?

Ok, I did some research after asking the question and found this video for the ISL

Heres a link to a video, shows it on top.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJIZ7AjqU8s

38

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Joel Ashley on February 21, 2026, 11:28:32 PM »

A so-called “Jake brake” is commonly, as others here have described, built into the engine itself on the larger on-highway engines.  It’s often referred to as an “engine brake” or “compression brake”.  Yours, Nicholas, being a 400 implies to me that you have the “exhaust brake” type known commonly as a “Pacbrake” externally mounted to the exhaust manifold of smaller engines.  If like on my CAT 400, that unit, though generically a “PAC”, is actually made by Jacobs Vehicle Systems, not necessarily by the original manufacturing company (* see link) making for some confusion.  I believe Jacob’s Vehicle Systems was bought not long ago by Cummins.  It’s best to discern external exhaust brake, like Pacbrake by either that mfr or JVS, from internal engine compression brake, like Jake brake.

The butterfly type valve that comprises a Pacbrake can corrode with non-use and freeze up, so the mechanism won’t close it upon switch activation.  Owners often are unaware that regular lubrication is necessary to prevent that.  A lubricant designed for that application is available at many outlets;  follow directions and check for online videos for proper use:

https://pacbrake.com/superlube-exhaust-brake-lubricant.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqUSxfm7GhjIW8FzRVxXg6G_fVir9eJiqn_bGMV8s6gd_XpBOIk

* https://79cd0798.flowpaper.com/brakescatalogueweb/#page=1

Joel

39

Technical Support / Re: Check engine light reset

« Last post by Tom Pickett on February 21, 2026, 07:25:24 PM »

Steve
 thankyou, when the snow clears i will drive it
tom

40

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Nicholas Soldevere on February 21, 2026, 03:17:34 PM »

I must comment on the auto-downshift when the engine brake is actuated.  If you like that feature, then okay.  But I did not like it and had our coach's transmission reprogrammed to remove the auto-downshift feature.  The first day I drove the coach from Eugene, OR over the hill to Sisters, OR, that auto-downshift feature scared me to death!  I thought the engine would go flying out the backend!

It wasn't long before I had it reprogrammed to NOT auto-downshift.  This was done at the Kenworth truck shop in Pasco, WA.

Good advice and info, thankyou! I'll be getting out on the road with it in a couple weeks and will see this feature 1rst hand and decide if I like it our not. I'll run with your advice and get it programed out if I don't. Since the Eng brake has been "rigged" since I owned it and has been intermittent I have never really experienced the oem design features, so, I'm excited to get it out and run it.