18 speed Eaton transmission lost reverse

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by bonous, Sep 8, 2020.

  1. bonous

    bonous Light Load Member

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    Hi fellows,
    I’m working on my Volvo D16 with 18 speed Eaton Ultrashift transmission. I have been meaning to change the original transmission harness so couple days ago when I had a error code for the reverse light not working and the light stayed on. I replaced the transmission harness and the reverse light switch. The reverse light didn’t go off, still stayed on. I took the truck on a test drive and everything was fine except the reverse light. The truck has been parked for five days and yesterday I went to drive it now the truck won’t go in reverse. I don’t have any error code on the dash except the reverse light. I took it out for a 30 miles test drive it shifts up and down all 18 gears without any issues or noise but still will not reverse. When I shift to reverse in the box the R2 flashes and when I let off the clutch I get the arrow down on the left of the box with flashing R2. Check the clutch and it’s over half on the gauge. The clutch brake is worn on the clutch side I took it off and will put a new one on tomorrow, but I doubt if that is the issue because it has no issues going in gear forward and it shift smooth without any noise or sound depressing the clutch.
    Has anyone had this issue and what was it. Thanks in advance!
     
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  3. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    Sure sounds like a mechanical issue with reverse. If the unit goes into forward gears ok then the clutch/brake should be good. Are you sure you have ALL gears? How bout manual 1st? Is it by chance starting in a higher gear?

    My next step would be drop fluid and look for debris. Maybe pop the XY and check out the right shift rail position. Maybe not a coincidence reverse lights are stuck on? Is it throwing a trans service light when it wont go into gear? Can you hook up?
     
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  4. bonous

    bonous Light Load Member

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    It’s starting in the seconds gear as it has always done. Yes manual forward works fine and reverse it shows on the dash it’s selected and I can select from R2 to R1 back and forth but it flashes and when I depress the clutch it doesn’t engage.
    No it’s not showing the red service light and the is no codes. When I cycle the key it does the normal 88 then N. Yesterday once when I cycled the key it went from 88 to 25 then N.
    I have the Volvo PTT but I don’t see on there where I can do anything with Eaton unless if it’s an Ishift.
     
  5. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    25 is no codes but will likely only show if active.

    You need Eaton Service Ranger to talk to the trans.
     
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  6. bonous

    bonous Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the help, very much appreciate it! Trying to get service ranger now. Will keep you posted.
     
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  7. AArtemtrk

    AArtemtrk Light Load Member

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    I don’t think it sounds like something mechanical in the trans, those transmissions shouldn’t allow something so catastrophic to happen when they are in control of shifting. Seems electronic almost like it thinks it’s in reverse when it isn’t? You could try checking voltage at the pins however it should throw a code if that were the problem.
     
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  8. AArtemtrk

    AArtemtrk Light Load Member

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    Pull the sensor out of the top of trans but leave it plugged in does it do the same thing?
     
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  9. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    The reverse switch is for lighting on/off only and has nothing to do with trans operation. Gear position is monitored through the motor position sensors on the XY shifter.

    Determining if the switch is being held closed may help lead you to the problem, but is not the root cause of no reverse gear obtained.
     
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  10. AArtemtrk

    AArtemtrk Light Load Member

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    I was referring to the reverse light staying on, that way you could figure out if it was wiring or internal.
     
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  11. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Silly question. Did you ever try to simply remove power to the tranny? Not just kill the ignition, but actually disconnect the batteries.
    I've had once in a Eaton auto I had to switch off the batteries for about 5 minutes before whatever reset. In my case the tranny would not shift out of neutral, but it's an easy thing to try....
     
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