Recent Posts

41

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.

42

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Nicholas Soldevere on February 21, 2026, 03:11:27 PM »

   Nick,
  To answer your question, A pac brake closes off your exhaust from escaping at the manifold output thus creating a back-pressure in the engine to slow you down. It also causes the transmission to down shift to assist in slowing the coach down. A Jake brake works differently, It turns the engine into a Compressor momentarily to slow you down. If you push the switch forward it is max engine braking and it automatically shifts the engine from 6th to 4th gear to assist in braking. Pushing the switch towards the rear is less engine braking. Caution: Driving at 70 mph and engaging the Jake brake may OVER REV the engine and cause damage. Do you have a Smart Steering wheel?. If so, it may be the issue if you have one. The cruise control and fast Idle are controlled by it. Incidentally, if your cruise control and your jake brake are both engaged at the same time there is a conflict. It is common issue for the contact plate under the steering wheel to get dirty from the carbon brushes contacting it for 23 years. It sends misinformation to the VIP control module that executes the commands you are asking for. I just re-read your original post, if your fast- idle switch is on the side console, then you do not have a smart wheel by VIP. Hope this helps, Fred

Thanks Fred, I do believe I have a smart wheel, it has buttons for lights and cruise, I don't know why there is also a Fast Idle switch as well on the side panel.  I have found on the one test drive I did yesterday which wasn't out on the highway as I was just checking the eng brake. The cruise didn't engage with eng brake switch on. Now, I'm thinking and have known for awhile that I need to get into that wheel and clean those contacts on the clock spring as the cruise control functions from the wheel aren't all there, all I have is On/Off and Resume, so I cannot change the speed, 68.5 mph is where is stuck at, which also seems to be the sweet spot for the rig anyway, so. The cruise is problematic, another issue I discovered last trip out is , it doesn't automatically disengage when stepping on the brake.

43

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Fred Brooks on February 21, 2026, 02:54:33 PM »

    I agree with David, I had mine reprogrammed to go to 5th instead of 4th and then manually choose the gear I want to stay in going down a 7% grade at the speed I feel comfortable with. Fred

44

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by David T. Richelderfer on February 21, 2026, 02:46:53 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. 

45

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Fred Brooks on February 21, 2026, 01:57:30 PM »

   Nick,
  To answer your question, A pac brake closes off your exhaust from escaping at the manifold output thus creating a back-pressure in the engine to slow you down. It also causes the transmission to down shift to assist in slowing the coach down. A Jake brake works differently, It turns the engine into a Compressor momentarily to slow you down. If you push the switch forward it is max engine braking and it automatically shifts the engine from 6th to 4th gear to assist in braking. Pushing the switch towards the rear is less engine braking. Caution: Driving at 70 mph and engaging the Jake brake may OVER REV the engine and cause damage. Do you have a Smart Steering wheel?. If so, it may be the issue if you have one. The cruise control and fast Idle are controlled by it. Incidentally, if your cruise control and your jake brake are both engaged at the same time there is a conflict. It is common issue for the contact plate under the steering wheel to get dirty from the carbon brushes contacting it for 23 years. It sends misinformation to the VIP control module that executes the commands you are asking for. I just re-read your original post, if your fast- idle switch is on the side consol, then you do not have a smart wheel by VIP. Hope this helps, Fred

46

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Nicholas Soldevere on February 21, 2026, 01:29:14 PM »

    Nick,
 We cannot help you without some information about your coach! Please update your profile so we can assist you. CAUTION: probing the fast idle switch! that wire could go to the ECM (electronic control module). It is a computor that controls all engine decisions. 3.6 volts is computer voltage! If you start probing and decide to send 12volts down the wires to experiment it WILL damage the ECM. Please Advise and thanks for your inquiry. We are here to help you, Blessings Fred

I dont know why, but I was thinking ECM volts is usually 5v, but if its 3.6 and the signal is there then, something down line.
I would love to find a wire diagram on it.

47

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Nicholas Soldevere on February 21, 2026, 01:26:07 PM »

Signature added, sorry folks, I guess I thought everyone knew what I have. My fault.

Im wondering how I would be able to know the difference between a PAC Brake and Jacobs?

48

Misc RV Equipment for Sale or Wanted / Magium inverter

« Last post by Gregory J Dugre on February 21, 2026, 03:39:27 AM »

I have upgraded my inverter to a Victron the old one works fine it comes with the auto gen start and the control. $100 plus shipping

49

Technical Support / Leak in bedroom slide

« Last post by Gregory J Dugre on February 21, 2026, 03:30:32 AM »

Discovered a leak in the passenger bedroom slide while I was replacing the bottom bulb/wiper seal. I removed the plywood under the carpet that covers the plumbing & electric. (The vertical piece)I found water damage there and it looks like its coming from where the bottom of the slide meets the slide wall of the slide. The seam is on the bottom. I don't see any caulking or sealant anywhere on the bottom. I could try to caulk it or even put on some eterna bond tape to seal but I didn't want to put the tape on the paint. The bottom is just gloss white so that's not a problem. But a water leak is a big problem. Has anyone had this problem and if so how did you fix it
Thanks
Greg

50

Technical Support / Re: Fast Idle switch Engine Brake

« Last post by Fred Brooks on February 21, 2026, 12:26:49 AM »

    Nick,
 We cannot help you without some information about your coach! Please update your profile so we can assist you. CAUTION: probing the fast idle switch! that wire could go to the ECM (electronic control module). It is a computor that controls all engine decisions. 3.6 volts is computer voltage! If you start probing and decide to send 12volts down the wires to experiment it WILL damage the ECM. Please Advise and thanks for your inquiry. We are here to help you, Blessings Fred