Allison 5sp: Oops or ok?

J

Jules1525

New member
Jun 15, 2016
29
0
0
39
I got my lb7 officially on the road yesterday. My town is under a state of emergency currently due to flooding that's expected to get worse (again). So, I emptied out my box and headed out to help deliver sandbags and get people who are flooded in out to safety.

As the day went on, the truck started having some issues. Second seems to be my new lowest gear (can't shift past there but I want to say it was like that already), my doors stopped unlocking when I park and the button won't override that, and then the shift indicator stopped working. Finally when I parked in my driveway it took two tries to get into reverse, it just flashed the first time?

So.. did I completely ruin my transmission within 24 hours of putting plates on or is this maybe fixable? Are Allison transmissions prone to trouble when wet? (Really wishing I took the gasser about now) IMG_0235.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0235.jpg
    IMG_0235.jpg
    139.8 KB · Views: 103
J

Jules1525

New member
Jun 15, 2016
29
0
0
39
Ok, just looked it up and that sounds pretty common whew! Thank you. Will it fail every time it gets wet? And is it safe to drive it while I wait for a replacement? Obviously I'm done using it to help with this, I'd rather not break anything else in the flood waters


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
TheBac

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,677
1,944
113
Mid Michigan
Guess I have to ask how fast you were driving thru the water over the road. Sounds like you got part of harness wet besides the NSBU.
 
J

Jules1525

New member
Jun 15, 2016
29
0
0
39
Idling with the brakes on. This isn't my first flood. But the water is already at least 3 feet at its deepest points. I took the diesel because I could carry more but I'm really regretting that choice now. The half ton doesn't owe me anything


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Budneeds2beers

Budneeds2beers

Aka Mike Honcho....
Aug 25, 2016
497
4
18
Cali
Same thing happened to me when i was puddle jumping through the desert. I just put the truck in park and let it idle so the heat would dry out the wiring so I could drive home. But exact same thing.
 
WVRigrat05

WVRigrat05

Wound for sound
Jan 1, 2011
3,081
4
38
36
French Creek, West Virginia
I've had my trucks in a lot of water, seems to be a lot more common on the LB7, get a new NSBU switch and you'll be fine, be sure to put a healthy amount of dielectric grease on the connection.
 
J

Jules1525

New member
Jun 15, 2016
29
0
0
39
I'm going to fire it back up and let it run for awhile now. Maybe I just didn't give it long enough to dry out? Knowing the truck a little better would be good. I guess we all learn by doing right?
Side question I was wondering- so I'm a gasser going through water you stay slow of course but go low gear so when the tailpipe is under you can give it enough gas to keep the water out. Is that the same with diesels or can you not worry when the exhaust is underwater? (Not that I am planning to do this again soon but it's probably good to know)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
WVRigrat05

WVRigrat05

Wound for sound
Jan 1, 2011
3,081
4
38
36
French Creek, West Virginia
Jules1525 said:
I'm going to fire it back up and let it run for awhile now. Maybe I just didn't give it long enough to dry out? Knowing the truck a little better would be good. I guess we all learn by doing right?
Side question I was wondering- so I'm a gasser going through water you stay slow of course but go low gear so when the tailpipe is under you can give it enough gas to keep the water out. Is that the same with diesels or can you not worry when the exhaust is underwater? (Not that I am planning to do this again soon but it's probably good to know)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

There's a lot more pressure in a diesel. It's not the motor I worry about, it's the bearings and drivetrain I don't like getting water in.
 
J

Jules1525

New member
Jun 15, 2016
29
0
0
39
Hmm. That's good to know. Another reason to keep the old one around a while


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
WVRigrat05

WVRigrat05

Wound for sound
Jan 1, 2011
3,081
4
38
36
French Creek, West Virginia
Yeah I used to see how deep of water I could put my stuff into just for fun, and a lot of old rig roads had Creek crossings and mud to the bumpers, but after 100's of dollars in diff flushes, transfer flush,etc., plus extra wear on wheel bearings, I go around water unless I have no choice and if it's over 3/4 of the way up the tires, I'm out.

Now if I'm in a beater, I'll go hood deep, unless it's a river or moving water.
 
TheBac

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,677
1,944
113
Mid Michigan
WVRigrat05 said:
I've had my trucks in a lot of water, seems to be a lot more common on the LB7, get a new NSBU switch and you'll be fine, be sure to put a healthy amount of dielectric grease on the connection.
Click to expand...

Probably due to the original NSBU switches (IIRC they were black?) not being sealed very well. There was a lot of issues with them years ago.
 
D

dmax_ty

Member
Aug 18, 2011
435
8
18
Utah
TheBac said:
Probably due to the original NSBU switches (IIRC they were black?) not being sealed very well. There was a lot of issues with them years ago.
Click to expand...

I believe you are correct, Tom. The new ones are tan and are sealed much, much better.
 
J

Jules1525

New member
Jun 15, 2016
29
0
0
39
So I called my parts guy first who told me $500 for the nsbu.. ouch, but ok that's what I get for helping out lol. Then I called my shop to see how much they want to install it and he doesn't want to touch it because he's afraid he will wreck it. Called the closest transmission shop ( an hour and a half away from me) and they said as long as it's still shifting and not causing any dash lights to give it a week or so and it might dry out?? Does that sound right? They said I can keep driving it if I want and it won't hurt it but to be careful because I won't have reverse lights if the indicator isn't working.. I want to trust the transmission people but I'm not sure what to think about that advice. Thoughts? I'm just getting started on this truck, not looking to kill it before I even get into it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
J

Jules1525

New member
Jun 15, 2016
29
0
0
39
LOL! That's what I was thinking exactly! I just don't have a jack anymore. Let a friend "borrow" it. Between this truck and good deeds, I'm gonna need to pick up a third job!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Chevy1925

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,743
5,911
113
Phoenix Az
You don't even need a jack unless the truck is in the weeds or your a "thicker" fellow. Seriously simple to do. Just follow the instructions and do not think they are wrong at any point.
 
J

Jules1525

New member
Jun 15, 2016
29
0
0
39
I'm not a tiny girl but I can fit under there no problem. I'll work up my courage and do it myself I guess. I'm not risking any worse damage driving it that way. Seems like a bad idea, even for someone brand new to diesels. I'm in Canada, none of the suppliers on Amazon ship here but I get a discount for being a frequent flier, the switch will be $290 (that's his cost so I can't complain) and with any luck that's all I've broken so far.

I'm bummed about the transmission peoples answer though. I noticed a slight vibration coasting down and was hoping they would be able to give me some peace of mind but I guess I'll have to figure that out without them too :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom