Air Bags & ZF Transmission

[dlefty12]

Gentleman,
I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87 35FC.

The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased Firestone W01-
358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in diameter
than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last year. I
just never got around to having them installed until now. So, did
Firestone make an update that would account for the size difference?

The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I checked
to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the proper
Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was 12.7 V
going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle position
sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody had this
problem?

Any help would be much appreciated...

Dan Leftwich
Somers, NY '87 35FC

[Gregory OConnor]

Dan, 12.7 v with the ground YOU used for the test, how is the ground
the ECU uses? even the TPS and other sensors need good contact. I
often wondered if the trouble is with sensors and ECU using mixed
battery banks. I would simply jump + and - on both banks and see if
it makes a repair. Then ground both banks to the engine block and see
if it makes a repair.
As far as air springs go, I noticed, the OLD BAGS at the SWBB Rally
were wider.
GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
wrote:
>
> Gentleman,
> I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87 35FC.
>
> The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased Firestone W01-
> 358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
> Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in diameter
> than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
> researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last year.
I
> just never got around to having them installed until now. So, did
> Firestone make an update that would account for the size difference?
>
> The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I checked
> to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the proper
> Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was 12.7 V
> going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle position
> sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody had
this
> problem?
>
> Any help would be much appreciated...
>
> Dan Leftwich
> Somers, NY '87 35FC
>

[Richard Gideon]

Dan: Check the ZF load sensor adjustment. The load sensor on your
coach is located on backside of roadside battery bank. When the CAT
3208 injection pump is in the "idle" position the load sensor needs
to be adjusted to the "idle" indication which means the load sensor
control lever must point to the "idle tang" on the load sensor
casting. An illustration of the "load sensor" can be seen in the ZF
instruction sheet which also depicts how to properly check the ZF
transmission fluid level.

Also check the load sensor cable which runs to the injection pump for
binding and kinks. Check for missing, broken or mispositioned load
sensor return spring. I lubed my Load Control sensor cable using
CorrosionX which is available from Aircraft Spruce & aircraft supply
stores.

Dick Gideon 1989 35FC
Cessna 172
Vietnam Vet Seabee MCB5
Rolla, Missouri

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
wrote:
>
> Gentleman,
> I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87 35FC.
>
> The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased Firestone W01-
> 358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
> Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in diameter
> than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
> researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last year.
I
> just never got around to having them installed until now. So, did
> Firestone make an update that would account for the size difference?
>
> The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I checked
> to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the proper
> Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was 12.7 V
> going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle position
> sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody had
this
> problem?
>
> Any help would be much appreciated...
>
> Dan Leftwich
> Somers, NY '87 35FC
>

[Tom McCarthy]

Now, Greg. Flair and Blair were rather narrow. Otherwise, you are
correct and no offense taken, my follicly challenged friend.

Tom McCarthy
Poway, CA
95 PT42


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
wrote:
>
> Dan, 12.7 v with the ground YOU used for the test, how is the
ground
> the ECU uses? even the TPS and other sensors need good contact. I
> often wondered if the trouble is with sensors and ECU using mixed
> battery banks. I would simply jump + and - on both banks and see
if
> it makes a repair. Then ground both banks to the engine block and
see
> if it makes a repair.
> As far as air springs go, I noticed, the OLD BAGS at the SWBB
Rally
> were wider.
> GregoryO'Connor
> 94ptRomolandCa
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
> wrote:
> >
> > Gentleman,
> > I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87 35FC.
> >
> > The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased Firestone
W01-
> > 358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
> > Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in
diameter
> > than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
> > researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last
year.
> I
> > just never got around to having them installed until now. So,
did
> > Firestone make an update that would account for the size
difference?
> >
> > The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I
checked
> > to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the
proper
> > Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was 12.7
V
> > going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle
position
> > sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody had
> this
> > problem?
> >
> > Any help would be much appreciated...
> >
> > Dan Leftwich
> > Somers, NY '87 35FC
> >
>

[dlefty12]

Hi Dick,

I am still dealing with the ZF trans. not going into gear. It seems
to go into gear when the weather is warm but on colder days it
doesn't. My father and I have tried to get into the load sensor box
in the roadside compartment but the steel access plate has three
bolts with the nuts on the inside which turn when we try to loosen.
I can't get behind the plate to hold the nuts. Any suggestions?

Dan Leftwich
87 FC35
Somers NY


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Gideon"
wrote:
>
> Dan: Check the ZF load sensor adjustment. The load sensor on
your
> coach is located on backside of roadside battery bank. When the
CAT
> 3208 injection pump is in the "idle" position the load sensor
needs
> to be adjusted to the "idle" indication which means the load
sensor
> control lever must point to the "idle tang" on the load sensor
> casting. An illustration of the "load sensor" can be seen in the
ZF
> instruction sheet which also depicts how to properly check the ZF
> transmission fluid level.
>
> Also check the load sensor cable which runs to the injection pump
for
> binding and kinks. Check for missing, broken or mispositioned
load
> sensor return spring. I lubed my Load Control sensor cable using
> CorrosionX which is available from Aircraft Spruce & aircraft
supply
> stores.
>
> Dick Gideon 1989 35FC
> Cessna 172
> Vietnam Vet Seabee MCB5
> Rolla, Missouri
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
> wrote:
> >
> > Gentleman,
> > I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87 35FC.
> >
> > The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased Firestone
W01-
> > 358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
> > Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in
diameter
> > than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
> > researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last
year.
> I
> > just never got around to having them installed until now. So,
did
> > Firestone make an update that would account for the size
difference?
> >
> > The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I
checked
> > to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the
proper
> > Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was 12.7
V
> > going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle
position
> > sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody had
> this
> > problem?
> >
> > Any help would be much appreciated...
> >
> > Dan Leftwich
> > Somers, NY '87 35FC
> >
>

[Gregory OConnor]

grinder or plasma wrench
GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
wrote:
>
> Hi Dick,
>
> I am still dealing with the ZF trans. not going into gear. It
seems
> to go into gear when the weather is warm but on colder days it
> doesn't. My father and I have tried to get into the load sensor
box
> in the roadside compartment but the steel access plate has three
> bolts with the nuts on the inside which turn when we try to
loosen.
> I can't get behind the plate to hold the nuts. Any suggestions?
>
> Dan Leftwich
> 87 FC35
> Somers NY
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Gideon"
> wrote:
> >
> > Dan: Check the ZF load sensor adjustment. The load sensor on
> your
> > coach is located on backside of roadside battery bank. When the
> CAT
> > 3208 injection pump is in the "idle" position the load sensor
> needs
> > to be adjusted to the "idle" indication which means the load
> sensor
> > control lever must point to the "idle tang" on the load sensor
> > casting. An illustration of the "load sensor" can be seen in the
> ZF
> > instruction sheet which also depicts how to properly check the ZF
> > transmission fluid level.
> >
> > Also check the load sensor cable which runs to the injection pump
> for
> > binding and kinks. Check for missing, broken or mispositioned
> load
> > sensor return spring. I lubed my Load Control sensor cable using
> > CorrosionX which is available from Aircraft Spruce & aircraft
> supply
> > stores.
> >
> > Dick Gideon 1989 35FC
> > Cessna 172
> > Vietnam Vet Seabee MCB5
> > Rolla, Missouri
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Gentleman,
> > > I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87
35FC.
> > >
> > > The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased Firestone
> W01-
> > > 358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
> > > Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in
> diameter
> > > than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
> > > researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last
> year.
> > I
> > > just never got around to having them installed until now. So,
> did
> > > Firestone make an update that would account for the size
> difference?
> > >
> > > The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I
> checked
> > > to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the
> proper
> > > Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was 12.7
> V
> > > going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle
> position
> > > sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody had
> > this
> > > problem?
> > >
> > > Any help would be much appreciated...
> > >
> > > Dan Leftwich
> > > Somers, NY '87 35FC
> > >
> >
>

[one_dusty_hoot]

Dan,
Have you done the ZF update that inserts a relay
in the 12 volts from the ignition switch? All kinds
of kinky transmission happenings with low V.
Chances are you have done this, but thought ot ask.

bob janes, 87FC35, greenville, sc


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
wrote:
>
> Hi Dick,
>
> I am still dealing with the ZF trans. not going into gear. It
seems
> to go into gear when the weather is warm but on colder days it
> doesn't. My father and I have tried to get into the load sensor
box
> in the roadside compartment but the steel access plate has three
> bolts with the nuts on the inside which turn when we try to
loosen.
> I can't get behind the plate to hold the nuts. Any suggestions?
>
> Dan Leftwich
> 87 FC35
> Somers NY
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Gideon"
> wrote:
> >
> > Dan: Check the ZF load sensor adjustment. The load sensor on
> your
> > coach is located on backside of roadside battery bank. When the
> CAT
> > 3208 injection pump is in the "idle" position the load sensor
> needs
> > to be adjusted to the "idle" indication which means the load
> sensor
> > control lever must point to the "idle tang" on the load sensor
> > casting. An illustration of the "load sensor" can be seen in the
> ZF
> > instruction sheet which also depicts how to properly check the ZF
> > transmission fluid level.
> >
> > Also check the load sensor cable which runs to the injection pump
> for
> > binding and kinks. Check for missing, broken or mispositioned
> load
> > sensor return spring. I lubed my Load Control sensor cable using
> > CorrosionX which is available from Aircraft Spruce & aircraft
> supply
> > stores.
> >
> > Dick Gideon 1989 35FC
> > Cessna 172
> > Vietnam Vet Seabee MCB5
> > Rolla, Missouri
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Gentleman,
> > > I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87
35FC.
> > >
> > > The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased Firestone
> W01-
> > > 358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
> > > Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in
> diameter
> > > than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
> > > researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last
> year.
> > I
> > > just never got around to having them installed until now. So,
> did
> > > Firestone make an update that would account for the size
> difference?
> > >
> > > The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I
> checked
> > > to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the
> proper
> > > Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was 12.7
> V
> > > going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle
> position
> > > sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody had
> > this
> > > problem?
> > >
> > > Any help would be much appreciated...
> > >
> > > Dan Leftwich
> > > Somers, NY '87 35FC
> > >
> >
>

[dlefty12]

Yes, I have the relays installed and the output is 14 V. I
troubleshot this back in the beginning of November when it began
acting up. I ran a few tests thanks to a couple of forum members.
Wouldn't you know it, the bird started to run fine just in time for
my Thanksgiving trip down to the Birdnest. Had a few other things
worked on by Bleakley in Unidilla Ga. I thought that it was a freak
thing and that I was in the clear. So I get back home to NY and now
that it is cold again the problem has come up again. Back to the
drawing board

Dan Leftwich
87FC35, Somers NY

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot"
wrote:
>
> Dan,
> Have you done the ZF update that inserts a relay
> in the 12 volts from the ignition switch? All kinds
> of kinky transmission happenings with low V.
> Chances are you have done this, but thought ot ask.
>
> bob janes, 87FC35, greenville, sc
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Dick,
> >
> > I am still dealing with the ZF trans. not going into gear. It
> seems
> > to go into gear when the weather is warm but on colder days it
> > doesn't. My father and I have tried to get into the load sensor
> box
> > in the roadside compartment but the steel access plate has three
> > bolts with the nuts on the inside which turn when we try to
> loosen.
> > I can't get behind the plate to hold the nuts. Any suggestions?
> >
> > Dan Leftwich
> > 87 FC35
> > Somers NY
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Gideon"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Dan: Check the ZF load sensor adjustment. The load sensor on
> > your
> > > coach is located on backside of roadside battery bank. When
the
> > CAT
> > > 3208 injection pump is in the "idle" position the load sensor
> > needs
> > > to be adjusted to the "idle" indication which means the load
> > sensor
> > > control lever must point to the "idle tang" on the load sensor
> > > casting. An illustration of the "load sensor" can be seen in
the
> > ZF
> > > instruction sheet which also depicts how to properly check the
ZF
> > > transmission fluid level.
> > >
> > > Also check the load sensor cable which runs to the injection
pump
> > for
> > > binding and kinks. Check for missing, broken or mispositioned
> > load
> > > sensor return spring. I lubed my Load Control sensor cable
using
> > > CorrosionX which is available from Aircraft Spruce & aircraft
> > supply
> > > stores.
> > >
> > > Dick Gideon 1989 35FC
> > > Cessna 172
> > > Vietnam Vet Seabee MCB5
> > > Rolla, Missouri
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"

> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Gentleman,
> > > > I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87
> 35FC.
> > > >
> > > > The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased
Firestone
> > W01-
> > > > 358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
> > > > Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in
> > diameter
> > > > than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
> > > > researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last
> > year.
> > > I
> > > > just never got around to having them installed until now.
So,
> > did
> > > > Firestone make an update that would account for the size
> > difference?
> > > >
> > > > The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I
> > checked
> > > > to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the
> > proper
> > > > Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was
12.7
> > V
> > > > going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle
> > position
> > > > sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody
had
> > > this
> > > > problem?
> > > >
> > > > Any help would be much appreciated...
> > > >
> > > > Dan Leftwich
> > > > Somers, NY '87 35FC
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[dlefty12]

Not a bad idea! Anybody have any other thoughts on this?

Dan Leftwich
87FC35, Somers, NY

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
wrote:
>
> grinder or plasma wrench
> GregoryO'Connor
> 94ptRomolandCa
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Dick,
> >
> > I am still dealing with the ZF trans. not going into gear. It
> seems
> > to go into gear when the weather is warm but on colder days it
> > doesn't. My father and I have tried to get into the load sensor
> box
> > in the roadside compartment but the steel access plate has three
> > bolts with the nuts on the inside which turn when we try to
> loosen.
> > I can't get behind the plate to hold the nuts. Any suggestions?
> >
> > Dan Leftwich
> > 87 FC35
> > Somers NY
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Gideon"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Dan: Check the ZF load sensor adjustment. The load sensor on
> > your
> > > coach is located on backside of roadside battery bank. When
the
> > CAT
> > > 3208 injection pump is in the "idle" position the load sensor
> > needs
> > > to be adjusted to the "idle" indication which means the load
> > sensor
> > > control lever must point to the "idle tang" on the load sensor
> > > casting. An illustration of the "load sensor" can be seen in
the
> > ZF
> > > instruction sheet which also depicts how to properly check the
ZF
> > > transmission fluid level.
> > >
> > > Also check the load sensor cable which runs to the injection
pump
> > for
> > > binding and kinks. Check for missing, broken or mispositioned
> > load
> > > sensor return spring. I lubed my Load Control sensor cable
using
> > > CorrosionX which is available from Aircraft Spruce & aircraft
> > supply
> > > stores.
> > >
> > > Dick Gideon 1989 35FC
> > > Cessna 172
> > > Vietnam Vet Seabee MCB5
> > > Rolla, Missouri
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"

> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Gentleman,
> > > > I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87
> 35FC.
> > > >
> > > > The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased
Firestone
> > W01-
> > > > 358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
> > > > Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in
> > diameter
> > > > than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
> > > > researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last
> > year.
> > > I
> > > > just never got around to having them installed until now.
So,
> > did
> > > > Firestone make an update that would account for the size
> > difference?
> > > >
> > > > The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I
> > checked
> > > > to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the
> > proper
> > > > Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was
12.7
> > V
> > > > going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle
> > position
> > > > sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody
had
> > > this
> > > > problem?
> > > >
> > > > Any help would be much appreciated...
> > > >
> > > > Dan Leftwich
> > > > Somers, NY '87 35FC
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[Richard Gideon]

Dan: Try PB Blaster or any good penetrating oil; apply or spray the bolts/nuts
everytime you walk by them and let the PB Blaster work for a day or more to
insure that the rust etc is loosened.

Dick Gideon Parked in Fredericksburg ,TX 1989 35FC IPAQ 4700

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Gideon" wrote:
>
> Dan: Check the ZF load sensor adjustment. The load sensor on your
> coach is located on backside of roadside battery bank. When the CAT
> 3208 injection pump is in the "idle" position the load sensor needs
> to be adjusted to the "idle" indication which means the load sensor
> control lever must point to the "idle tang" on the load sensor
> casting. An illustration of the "load sensor" can be seen in the ZF
> instruction sheet which also depicts how to properly check the ZF
> transmission fluid level.
>
> Also check the load sensor cable which runs to the injection pump for
> binding and kinks. Check for missing, broken or mispositioned load
> sensor return spring. I lubed my Load Control sensor cable using
> CorrosionX which is available from Aircraft Spruce & aircraft supply
> stores.
>
> Dick Gideon 1989 35FC
> Cessna 172
> Vietnam Vet Seabee MCB5
> Rolla, Missouri
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dlefty12"
> wrote:
> >
> > Gentleman,
> > I have two problems I am currently dealing with on my '87 35FC.
> >
> > The first is I am replacing my air bags. I purchased Firestone W01-
> > 358-8992 for the front. The bags in the coach are original
> > Firestone bags although the fronts are 2 inches wider in diameter
> > than the new ones. This has me baffled because I thought I
> > researched it from the forum when I purchased the bags last year.
> I
> > just never got around to having them installed until now. So, did
> > Firestone make an update that would account for the size difference?
> >
> > The second is that I can't get the bird to go into gear. I checked
> > to see if I had the relay going to the ZF ECU. I have the proper
> > Bosch 30 amp relay. I then checked the voltage and it was 12.7 V
> > going to the ECU. Could I have trouble with the throttle position
> > sender not allowing the coach to go into gear? Has anybody had
> this
> > problem?
> >
> > Any help would be much appreciated...
> >
> > Dan Leftwich
> > Somers, NY '87 35FC
> >
>